Business first

Of course I have forgotten that kiwi hotel rooms are unlikely to have coffee makers [electric kettles, tea, and instant coffee are standard amenities]. And of course I'm up at 4:30 in the morning and I haven't assembled the bicycle. Wait it out or drink instant? 

Bike assembled and after opening the balcony door for a quick photo, I decided I needed more layers.

After riding about 4 minutes, I immediately decided I needed to put on some of those additional layers. The stop marked a good opportunity for a photo.

The trail from the hotel to Queenstown is immensely beautiful and I'm tempted to spend the next few days doing nothing but ride back and forth. But I still haven't had coffee so there are no more photos at present.

Flat white number 1 at Vudu Coffee. My barista was from Los Feliz, yet another reminder that Queenstown is full of Americans. I elected to sit outside for a view of Lake Wakatipu and immediately began shivering.

Back to the hotel for the World Series. I was going to try to find a bar showing it but 1) most sports bars in New Zealand are gambling venues (this is probably not the case in Queenstown as Queenstown is full of Americans) and 2) it's a little early here and I'm trying to postpone happy hour until later so I won't wake up 3 hours before coffee is available again. 

I can't stand watching the cyclists on the bike path outside my hotel room any longer (notice the path is partially submerged due to a storm last week), so I skip the 9th inning to bike back to town. I'm rushing because I'm starving. I keep reminding myself to slow down and not miss anything.

And onto my favorite place in the world. I wandered in here 2 years ago to the day (in bike clothes) after feeling out of place at my first two stops. There are bicycles hanging from the ceiling and I made a couple of cycling kiwi friends. Too many pints. I play my new game of guess where the Americans next to me are from. I fail badly.

The cold lake breeze and the cold beer is making me shiver, even inside. I hear a kiwi woman complaining about how warm it is as I walk outside. I stroll around town and happen upon Cookie Time during cookie happy hour and buy way too many cookies. I've started making plans for tomorrow's ride and it sounds better with cookies.

I start to think I have become a creature of habit, having only visited places I've previously frequented. I sit at a bench by the lake and eat cookies regretting that I rode here in only shorts/short sleeve. I put my arm and leg warmers on and am happy to see they work. 

It's not quite dark (and I brought lights) so I stop for a wee pint at what might be Queenstown's busiest brewery. I'm not sure if there are any others. It's near my hotel and I'm hungry and there are food trucks.

Zeus Skis in Jeans, it ranks as my third favorite beer I've had today. Since I'm almost back to the hotel, let's call Day 1 of riding 36 km with almost no elevation.