195 kilometres and 909 metres of climbing — the penultimate day. Started with a cafe breakfast and coffee, with a few layers on as it was definitely cool. Bikes loaded onto the boat to take us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. All gravel today, though the first half was lovely fine stuff — easy to ride, which was great as the climbs were gentle until Von Hill, where we properly earned our metres. Lunch at Lake Mavora; lovely watching the geese circling and coming in to land on the water. After lunch we met the grader working on the track; the surface was now like riding on marbles — many cold-sweat moments but no spills. The last 20 kilometres on a cycle trail was a lovely ride; we pushed some speed as rain was coming in. Made it to Mossburn just before it arrived. Cannot believe we are nearly there.

Rinse, reset, repeat.

This day was always going to be awesome. Early morning boat ride across to Walter Peak Station and through some fantastic farmland along Lake Wakatipu. Turned up the Von Valley and hit the last of the big climbs — Von Hill — stunning, and nailed it. Then the smash-fest along a long descent until we hit a road grader and spent the last 15-odd kilometres in deep, freshly laid gravel, which provided several near heart-attack moments. Into Mossburn where I stopped in to see Mark at the local garage — he helped me fix a wheel last time — great to catch up and laugh at his bewilderment at me wanting to do it all again. One more push. Toodle pip.

The day started early with a trip across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station, where we then embarked on the 105-kilometre gravel ride. Only one hill of note today — Von Hill, which was a gradual climb that kept on giving. The gravel roads were in brilliant condition and a tailwind gave us a lovely push for quite a distance after Von — and then we hit close to 15 to 20 kilometres of newly spread gravel that certainly affected the ease of travel. However, a cycle trail for the last 20 kilometres provided a lovely finish into Mossburn — sweeping corners, long stretches and great surface. I am struggling to process that there is now only one more day of cycling. So many beautiful vistas; so many laughs shared; so many missed signs that have been a source of entertainment — fellow riders, you are welcome. One more sleep.

Loving life.