Whew!

The danger of Cyclone Cook passed with a whimper in Southland and today was a pleasant morning to go for a ride. By the time I got out the wind had cone up a little and I'm not fond of wind. However I decided that I have to train myself to enjoy wind. Relish it even. So off I went with the wind behind me. I figured that if I rode to Pukerau then the head wind would be from Kaiwera and down Diamond Peak. At least I would be going downhill into the head wind. I had conveniently forgotten how far it was.
I scooted out to Pukerau quite quickly for me. I stopped at Camp Colomba and took a photo of a tiny waterfall.  Then onwards and upwards.  By the time I came over the top into the Kaiwera basin I was beginning to feel tired. I thought of ringing Ron to come and get me and then thought I had done all the work getting up and I didn't want to miss the run down.
By the time I turned onto the flat of River Road I had talked to myself and decided that fitness is as much mental as physical and I had better develop some mental stamina.
I didn't manage to ride up the last hill to home though. I was knackered. 
44 km isn't really far but it was for me.
Now that I have recovered somewhat I am quite pleased with myself.