Slightly shorter ride – 31km instead of day 1’s 39km. Still fine and sunny and with much less wind. After an early walk to admire the architecture of the main street (and only street!) of Ophir accompanied by a quail (!), we left town via the historic Daniel O’Connell Bridge and we off through farmland to Lauder. Lots of lambs in the paddocks and a flat, fast ride.

After a coffee stop we rode through the Poolburn Gorge – and two tunnels and a viaduct – scenic, sunny and not a hard ride. Then it was a long stretch through the Ida Valley: more sheep, cultivation on the valley floor and a great lunch at the Oturehua Hotel before a brief cycle on to Inverair Lodge – a modern, purpose built facility right beside the Rail Trail. More than enough time to get organised for our trip to St Bathans in the afternoon.