Date: Monday 25 February 2013
Route: Geraldine to Fairly
Distance: 48km – and another 2km around town
Weather: overcast and cool in morning, sunny in afternoon
Accommodation: Fairly Holiday Park motel cabin – too close to road!

Today was a shorter ride, but very much up and down. We left late after a lie in at 10am, and it took us 3 hours to get here. We had a few steep climbs and downhill runs on the way. The countryside was rolling hills – we are well out of the Canterbury Plains now and entering MacKenzie country. There is a statue of James MacKenzie in Fairly main street – he was the first European person to cross this country. He also stole 1,000 sheep from one of the biggest farmers in the area at the time.

The ride today was marred by the fact there was too much traffic for the windy road, not enough room for bicycles, and it can be dangerous. I would not recommend this road to bicycle tourists (however there are no real alternative routes).

The highlight of the day was our stop at Valley Brewing Co about 10km outside of Fairly. We saw the brewery and stopped to see if we could buy some beer for tonight. The cafe and shop were closed, but the owner was there and gifted us some bottles of beer. An excellent Pale Ale (strong hops) and a gorgeous Red Ale (called Muster). Very hearty and natural tasting – great craft beer.