I got up early, eager to pick up my bike, and took the purple line bus to the airport. At the baggage service counter I could already see the familiar green tarp of my bike amidst a heap of bags.
The bike was finally here, but would it still be in any shape to drive?
Carefully lifting the tarp, which was loose I saw that at least the front wheel was still there. However, someone had managed to stick it on top of my seatpost! I immediately expected bent or broken spokes. A quick examination didn’t show any visible damage, though. So I checked out the bike, packed all of my things onto a baggage cart and went to the bike assembly area, which apparently every New Zealand airport has. Basically it’s just some bike stands, but that’s helpful enough.
I met another traveller there assembling his bike who was about to head northwards.
I removed the scraps of duct-tape that were still sticking to my bike everywhere and began assembly.
Front-wheel, saddle, pedals, smartphone holder were all installed swiftly. When I was putting on my bags I noticed the only real damage apart from a few scratches: my Supernova tail light was bent down.
Taking a screwdriver, I just bent it upwards again. Works like a charm.
My bags didn’t fit properly, as I was still missing my second pannier bag, but they held for the moment.
I now rode back to the city, needing to purchase replacement for my missing pannier bag and also some camping goods as well as food to last over thw holidays.
Among the things I needed was a gas cannister so I promptly went to the next outdoorshop. They didn’t have any. Reason: ‘we’re in the city center, we’re not allowed to sell gas’. Remember, this is a city which has practically been levelled by earthquakes. I don’t see how some gas could do much damage.
Next up was looking for a pannier. First, I went to a shop that advertised its bike-travel expertise. They only had lowest quality bags. However, they did refer me to another shop right around the corner.
Cycle Trading is definitely the best bike shop in Christchurch, possibly the best-stocked in New Zealand. They have a full wall of Brooks saddles and they also had Vaude and Ortlieb bike bags. Plus, their service was more than friendly. I was even so lucky as to get an Ortlieb back roller classic in red, which fit my setup perfectly. Additionally, I was given various tips on my route, which was very nice.
Ready to go with three bags
Getting gas, and a camping mat (my Exped is in my missing bag) proved more difficult. The next store further from the city didn’t have any either. I finally found both items at a Macpac near Tower Junction.
Finally ready to go, I input my first stop into Google maps and started off towards Darfield.