Congratulations to Joanna Sharpe who set the Unsupported Circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand in the Female 18-49 age group, standard bike categories. This is also a new Guinness Record.
Joanna’s Ride Report
The 03 World Record – Circumnavigation of the South Island NZ, Solo and Unsupported.
Joanna Sharpe
For this record attempt I rode a Chapter 2 AO Gravel Bike with road tyres set up as tubeless. I had the bike set up by Bennys Bike Shop in Auckland NZ as a fully self supported bike packing rig with front bag under the aero bars, top tube bag and rear saddle bag. I also had my tent and sleep mat on the front forks so I was fully self contained with no assistance needed, or permitted.
I set out to complete this ride of approx 2400km to see all the beauty of our country and to raise funds and awareness for Bowel Cancer New Zealand.
The weather was always going to be a mixed bag as the South Island of NZ is very varied and unforgiving. I needed to cross multiple ranges as well as twice cross the Southern Alps. Even in summer the temperatures can be very low across the Southern Alps and into Glacier country and Fiordland. The ride took me across the rugged and wild west coast, past Glaciers and into Fiordland with typically volatile weather. I was also to ride through the Catlins region, the Southern most point of NZ and furthest south part of the world until Antarctica is hit. This region in particular is known for gale force winds as the norm. Whilst the East coast is less rugged and remote temperatures are often in the high 30 degree c and whilst a tail wind is common I encountered head winds along both the west and east coast of the country which were strong each day and gale force on 2 days.
One of the biggest challenges I encountered is the remoteness of the country I rode through. Few services are to be found with many km between townships and no service stations or the like as our country is not highly populated. Those beautiful small towns I did encounter were usually closed by 5pm with nothing open again until 9am meaning I had to provide for lengthy durations on my own and carried a lot of supplies to allow for this eventuality adding to the weight of the rig. Wild camping is permitted in many location however I was almost always able to reach a campsite and book in the for night in advance for my tent. The roads in part had no traffic, overnight I would often see not one vehicle however during the day tourist traffic was heavy in parts especially on the East Coast, I always felt safe however. I carried a locator beacon at all times, as I always do when I ride, by TrackMe NZ with a SOS button in event of emergencies. I never had to use this.
Planning was the key for me, knowing where all the services were to be found which I did indeed need to use when my left shifter jammed and I needed to call a bike shop to source a replacement.
On a few occasions people came to cheer me along however it was easy to manage as I had told everyone this was an unsupported record attempt and everyone was very respectful of this just keen to give me a cheer and be a witness for my log, such as Larry WUCA Records Chair who I met in Christchurch thanks to him following my tracker to locate me.
The only medical episode I encountered was a bee sting which I am allergic too and as I had packed a full medical kit this was easily managed. My rides, as per the WUCA rules, are all public on Strava and the exerts from each days report are below. Photos accompany my Strava report for GPS location and for those wanting to see some of what I got to enjoy.
I ate a lot of cans of Creamed rice, hot chocolates and chocolate bars. Any time there was a fast food restaurant, esp BK id buy up large amounts of triple cheeseburgers and carry them for later snacks. I also bought ham cheese sandwiches any time I could. As a celiac I have to remove bread and so the triple cheeseburgers acted as a bun in themselves and any time a GF sandwich was available it was gold to me.
Part 1 – Sundial Suare Nelson to Hokitika
I started my ride, The 03 that I’ve named as such as this is the dial code for the South Island of NZ, from sundial square Richmond Nelson at 2am on 22.2.25.
It was super cool that a lovely man Waybe and his dog had come to see me off and were able to witness me leaving at that time. First up I headed north to my 1st checkpoint in Motueka. I stopped for a photo and the checkpoint at the Airport and was having a stunning night ride before heading inland to Tauurewa where I stopped to eat a sandwich and then headed over my 1st section of the southern alps via Hope Saddle. A great food stop in Merchison with the 1st of very many hot chocolates and a restock. Next I rode through Inagahua where I met some beautiful tourists to witness my card before choosing the quieter and hillier road through the beautiful Buller Gorge down to the West Coast. This road is incredible in its views of the river. At Greymouth I stopped for the 1st 3 of many triple cheeseburgers before heading into a stunning sunset down the coat to Hokitika for a nap and laundry and more food.
Distance 359.85 km Moving Time 17:18:02 Elevation 2,309 m
Part 2 – Hokitika to Haast
A super ride down the West Coast with head winds but beautiful temperatures and sun. Riding through Ross with all its history was such fun into the sunrise. I met super people from a ride group riding the TA trail over a few weeks each year when I stopped for some food in HeiHei who included a bowel cancer survivor and they were so kind to make a donation to BCNZ. I saw so many beautiful tourists and enjoyed seeing their excitement at the sight of the glaciers which also captured my heart. Franz and Fox were wonderful and the final climb into Fox almost cracked me but seeing some hikers at the top about to head into the bush for a weeks camping was a real treat and chance to chat before heading to the coast and another refule stop. A very head windy day again but it kept me cool and the sunset was incredible. The night sky approaching Haast was indescribable in its clarity and beauty and I shall never forget the sky over my 2nd checkpoint at the Haast bridge
Distance 281km Moving Time 14:23 Elevation 2,424
Part 3 Haast to Garston
A brilliant chilly start to my next big climbing section back over the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass. A couple of very steep sections with incredible waterfall views and stop for breakfast at Pleasant Flats. I was glad of the cool temps as the climbs are long and in parts very steep. The hills through Lake Wānaka and Hāwea were incredible and the heat was high before a stop in Hāwea for food. Lots of traffic to Wanaka but then quiet and cooling over the Crown Ranges via Cardrona. Such an epic climb and a sunset meal at the top was a memory to last a lifetime. The descent through hairpin turns to Queenstown for dinner was exhilarating and I then rode past lake Wakatipu to Gaston to nap whilst a big storm came through. I knew it was important to not only stay ahead of some weather fronts but to be very mindful of the extent of these storms that are extreme in their ferocity, this is a remote wild part of the country. It may be cliche but this is amongst my v fav places on earth what spectacular scenery
Distance 264km Moving Time 14:18 Elevation3,074m
Part 4 Garston to Tuataupere
I’d long waiting to see Fiordland and it didn’t disappoint however I feel I’ve been totally spoilt with incredible beauty at this point. A huge highlight was whilst riding into the continual strong as all get go head winds on the stretch from Mosssburn to Te Anu I was met by Track Me NZ founder Tony Glenworthy who’d tracked me down using his own tec to cheer me along and be a witness for my record. So ace to see him and cheer me on for the relentless head winds that I had to cover my ears from to prevent the constant headaches. Te Anu was incredible and also a checkpoint. The beauty just indescribable and ace to meet people who recognised me from socials and wanted to say hi. A v mediocre dinner (I feel I’m getting way skinny too early) then off into the sunset to lake Manapuri seeing beautiful rain over the fiords before riding a very unexpectedly beautiful section though the hills of the ranges past the dam and across the saddle to drop to Southland’s coast. The most beautiful piece of road I think I’ve ever ridden. Arriving in Tuataupere for a nap at the most hospitable campsite ever Tūī Lodge and yet more food to be consumed. This trip really is such a privilege to be able to take on.
Distance 209km Moving Time 10:16 Elevation 1,094m
Part 5 -Tuataupere to Fortrose
I got a tail wind!! Thanks Southland as you were the only part that ever gave me that! I freaking love this part of NZ it is stunning and the people so friendly. Incredible coastlands and not only did I get to sing the 1/2 way song but also check another checkpoint at McCrackens Rest on the coast. Totally beautiful riding. Only downfall was forgetting to stock up in Invercargill the only city so far on the trip but Fortrose had a super cafe to eat and stock up and a bnb for a nap to wait for the gale force winds to drop off marginally between 12 and 5am. My only window of hope to get through the next section. Remember, this is the bottom of our rock, next stop Antarctica so the weather is brutal and unforgiving but the scenery so spectacular we should all visit
Distance 134km Moving Time 5:50 Elevation 678m
Part 6 – Fortrose to Waitati
I left Fortrose at 1am with only a small window of winds dropping below gale force. Still very windy but exciting to get to Slope Point in the Catlins (the southern most point of NZ, next stop Antarctica!) Great to get there all be it in the dark and then head through this spectacular region with the sun rising over the many hills. Hilliest day today and so enjoyable, had the best time and felt great. It was a truly fantastic ride through from Balclutha to lake Wahola and even more fun to see a whole heap of school kids cheer me on and some older gents keen to hear about my trip whilst I cooled down with an ice block. Next up was a great climb in the afternoon to a great view before dropping down into Taieri River mouth which was stunning and looked like a great place for a holiday. Loving the climb and the head winds are keeping me a bit cooler. Coming through Dunedin was navigationally challenging and climbing out of Dunedin beautiful. I rode past Baldwin Street, the steepwest street in the world cording to Guinness and didn’t chose to take a detor haha. Putting on all my cloths at the top of the climb as temps dropped was smart as I recall this area being very cold from a prior trip. As I descended I found my left shifter jammed. Thinking I have a broken cable I made it to Waitati a junction in the road as the sun set to set up my bivy and prioritise survival as freezing temps come in. Felt quite exciting tbh and glad I have all I need with me. Aim to hack a fix at sunlight as it’s a long way to the next town where Ill haver to make a few calls to bike shops and look for a permanent fix to get me the rest of the ride.
Distance 271.41km Moving Time 16:16 Elevation 3,185m
Part 7 – Waitati to Oamaru
In the light I determined that the cable to the shifter isn’t broken but jammed, the question is why so a bike shop is needed. The head winds today ferocious so a very slow 100km to Oamaru. I love this piece of coast line it’s beautiful which was good as it was possible the longest time it’s ever taken me to ride 100km. Actually had my one and only downer approaching Karitane and stopped for a coffee and rest before heading into Oamaru and finding the great team at Victor Nelson cycles who diagnosed a broken shifter. I managed to fix the shifter into a gear and after a call to DC cycles, a bike shop in Timaru I managed to get the ace team there to find a replacement shifter for me and booked in for it to be installed at 8am the next day. So a nap and a lot of food and an early start planned to get the next 80km before 8am
Distance 94km Moving Time 5:31 Elevation 892m
Part 8 – Oamaru to Greta Valley
Riding through the night to get to Timaru and the amazing team at DC cycles to replace the shifter. Very foggy which was a first and I made it with time to spare so had some breakfast. The team were super efficient and I even made time to repair my punctured air bed. It was then a great day on the east coast. Sadly the wind had changed direction to be now a north wester so still in the head winds but the upside was there is now lots of food options and I’m buying BK bbq bacon triple cheeseburgers 4 at a time! Beautiful flat riding to get some recovery in the legs today and eventually realised I was now seeing the Southen Alps on my left instead of right hand side for the 1st time!! Up through Rakia to the next checkpoint, the giant salmon, and beautiful river crossing. Fires in the hills approaching Christchurch and a stop for an ice block to cool off before heading into the city. Absolutely blown away to find the track me NZ team tracked me down again and had riden out to meet me north of the city for my dinner stop ( yes at another BK) where I also managed to meet Records Chair of WUCA Larry! Absolutely amazing to see him what an honour to have him as my Chch witness.
With the heat due to be mid 30s degrees centigrade tomorrow I decided to make the most of the cool evening and ride through to Greta Valley to a very bizarre but welcome camp spot for a nap. Hills again and what I’m sure would be stunning views in the day but I know I’ll get to enjoy those tomorrow. Felt quite tired tonight but the stars in the crystal clear sky kept me very happy.
Distance 335km Moving Time 14:51 Elevation 923m
Part 9 Greta Valley to Blenheim
Leaving Greta Valley in the night was cool and fabulous as I knew it was gonna be a day to remember as the sunrise was spectacular. I was not wrong. The temps were in the 30s again too. I conquered the 1st climb into Kaikoura and when I made it down to the coast was treated to sights of dolphins and seals!! Can’t believe my luck and this place is stunning! Making the next checkpoint at the top of the lookout into Kaikoura brought another mega treat….whale sighting!! Found some French travellers to be my witness before heading to town for food and sandwiches to take with me as again nothing else to be found until the Blenheim which is a long way off. I hit climbs out of Kaikoura with limited water and shade stops but getting used to that now then up climbs I remember from The Long White ride over Ward and Seddon. Stopped for dinner from my bag at beautiful wildlife lakes and took in what I expect to be my final sunset before heading into the final climbs before Blenheim for a late dinner. Incredibly clear skies and little traffic before heading to McD for a late snack before planned night ride to the finish. Sadly met a motorcyclist who informed my the only road to Nelson is closed overnight for roadworks meaning I’m locked in until morning. This is poor luck as this is only for this night and there is no work around, there is no other road to choose. I have to wait for it to reopen
Distance 236km Moving Time 12:53 Elevation 1,771m
Part 10 – Blenheim to Nelson Sundial Square
I was disappointed not to be able to ride through the night to the finish as the only road to Nelson was closed overnight for this one night for roadworks! So I decided to eat and nap at a campsite and then head to Havelock to the final checkpoint before Nelson and get to the roadworks as soon as the road reopened
I had a super ride into yes headwinds across the Richmond Ranges to Havelock and a stunning final sunrise. The Havelock marina was incredible and I found a very enthusiastic witness to sign the checkpoint off for me. Riding through the Rai valley I stopped at Pelorus River for another cold burger as I was ahead of schedule and hit the roadworks just as the workers were all leaving. The only downside of this was the traffic was very heavy with the road having been closed and the winds made for a sketchy ride through very steep climbs and descents with a lot of trucks. Still there is no other road so I just took my time to be safe and drink lots as it was so hot. I’m sure I could have walked faster to be honest and my Garmin kept pausing I was so slow. Still I made it and was very glad to hit the Nelson coast and find my final checkpoint being the botanic gardens, the home of the centre of NZ. Once ticked off it was a flat 20km where I managed to be navigationally challenged to Sundial Square for the finish!
Felt very honoured to have Wayne his dog and Margi from track me nz there to see me finish and celebrate with me. A truly amazing adventure and one I’ll never forget
Distance 132km Moving Time 7:39 Elevation 932m
Finish Time 1.56pm 3.3.25.