Muddy Lessons, Woolly Chats, and the Road to Hinds

Daily miles: 30 | Total miles: 5819.18

I let myself sleep in a bit today — until 5:30am — and woke up warm and well-rested in my cozy cabin. After a cold coffee and a bit of quiet packing, I stepped out at 6:30am to continue my journey south.

Instead of sticking to the highway, I thought I’d try something different and take a quieter bicycle path route. For the first four miles, the side roads were peaceful, and I was hopeful. That is… until I met the puddle — a massive, impassable body of water stretching across the entire gravel road. It was deep, murky, and completely blocked the way. There was no way through it, or even around it — the sides were just as flooded.

My shoes and buggy wheels got a bit wet and muddy, and the detour threw me off for a moment — but thankfully, I found an alternate route that looped me back toward the main road without having to backtrack the full four miles. It wasn’t the smoothest start, but in the end, it worked out just fine and reminded me that sometimes a little flexibility goes a long way.

Around mile 10, I finally rejoined the highway — just as the drizzle began. I layered up, took a deep breath, and set out for the remaining 20 miles. The road was long but familiar now: cows, sheep, cars rushing by in both directions, and a series of rivers to cross.

Around mile 20, I reached Ashburton and stopped at a supermarket to grab dinner supplies — rice and beans for tonight. The sun finally came out and warmed the day nicely. I changed into just a shirt and felt re-energized for the final 10 miles.

A few miles before Hinds, I passed a sheep farmer named George. He waved me over and we chatted by the fence as he moved his sheep from one pasture to another. He told me the wool from his sheep is sent to North America to make socks. That little pause, that unexpected connection, lifted my spirits.

Not long after, I made it into Hinds and reached the hotel I had been hoping for. And yes — it’s perfect. A warm room, working Wi-Fi, heater, plus a kitchen and bathroom just a few steps away. After a cold day out, that contrast of warmth is deeply satisfying. The fatigue I feel is the good kind — earned and grounding.

I’ll try to sleep well tonight. Thanks for being with me on this road, even through the puddles.

One day at a time.