Naseby and Ranfurly are separated by 12km of straight road. If one is uncertain of where to go, there is a large mountain range behind Naseby that could serve as a land mark, visible from pretty much anywhere. So you might be surprised that the 3 world adventurers, all equipped with gps, managed to take about 40 minutes to find it. I could explain but it’s too painful. Once we did find Naseby we climbed up into the Hawksdun range on the Mt Buster track. This was always going to be a highlight for me with a big climb followed by a flowing double track full of hole and erosion mounds designed to play with. Dropping down into several crossings of Guffies creek and then the upper reaches of the Otematata river I was feeling quite vindicated in spending the children’s inheritance and education fund on the 500exc adventure project.
From there we climbed to over 1500m on Johnston’s creek track and the moonscape that is the top of the Hawksduns. Huge country. It’s both beautiful and intimidating seeing a tiny ribbon of trail disappear over the distant horizon. Then the loose rocky descent back to civilisation. Unlike last time I was here where I flailed and flapped my way down, today I was on form and rode it all clean on the pegs. The fact that my loved ones are eating dry bread and water seemed a totally reasonable price for them to pay.
From there back to Ranfurly for lunch and then onto the Linnburns run road South of the Rough ridge range and then the Onslow road. Both are flowing, minimally maintained roads with enough ruts, holes and rock slabs, as well as corners to make for a delightful 2 hour ride through orc country into Roxburgh. Quick fuel of coffee for us and 95 for the bike and then Douth around the umbrella mountains into Southland and our home for the night, Waikaia.
The last 20 km descent along winding creek road was just glorious high speed gravel.
We were hoping for pizza and beer at the pub but it is closed and so lukewarm pie from the dairy. However our hostess sold us some beer so all is good.
Unfortunately, and I mean very unfortunately the motel laundry is shut so no washing for the third day. Thank god for merino. Sadly my socks are not merino and consequently are now a crime against humanity. Imagine if you will, placing your feet into large, non breathable boots for 10 hours a day. Imagine sweating to the point that your little tootsies look like disgusting little prunes. Imagine the stench after 3 days of that. I know.
It would be wrong to end a glorious day on that note.
I love Southland. It is beautiful and green and even the people in cars wave as you go past.
Tomorrow it is up through the beech onto the old man range. 
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