CICLISMO

Click here to read the English version

Ahora que el verano ya parece que se ha asentado por estos lares me he quitado la pereza de encima y salgo regularmente en bicicleta. Utilizo la bicicleta de carretera de Jess, que no la ha usado ni un solo día desde que se la trajo de Christchurch, y además soy yo el que le hace el mantenimiento y la lleva al mecánico así que es como si fuese mía.

El paseo típico es desde Glenorchy hasta Bennett’s Bluff y volver, que son unos 50 km de toboganes rompe piernas por una de las carreteras más bonitas del mundo mundial, la Glenorchy Road.

También he subido hasta Coronet Peak, que es la estación de esquí más cercana a Queenstown. La carretera serpentea por la ladera de la montaña y permite gozar de unas vistas de la cuenca del Wakatipu increíbles.

La otra ruta, esta vez la más larga, es Lake Hayes Estate – Hunter Road – Arthur’s Point – Queenstown – Glenorchy. Es un paseo largo de unas cuatro horas por las típicas carreteras neozelandesas, acabando con los 45 km de la Glenorchy Road.

A mí siempre me ha gustado ir en bicicleta y me lo paso muy bien subiendo y bajando por las montañas, y ahora también por las carreteras. Pero hay un tema que me molesta horrores y es la falta de respeto de los conductores neozelandeses hacia los ciclistas. En un alarde de garrulería los zopencos compiten a ver quién es capaz de adelantar a un ciclista pasando más cerca de él. Si te enfrentas a ellos la respuesta que obtienes es que la carretera es para los coches. Un día les va a implosionar la cabeza de tanta ignorancia.

Aquí hay mucha polémica con los turistas que conducen coches alquilados y se equivocan de carril o van muy lentos. Los conductores nativos del lugar consideran a los turistas la fuente de todo mal que ocurre en las carreteras del país y dicen que las muertes en las carreteras son culpa de la falta de pericia de dichos turistas. En fin, aquí conducen peor que en Portugal así que, en mi opinión, deberían callarse y fijarse en lo mal que conducen ellos. Estaba yo con estos pensamientos en la cabeza rodando de Queenstown a Glenorchy cuando decidí escribir una carta al director para al revista local Lakes Weekly Bulletin. La reproduzco aquí, está en inglés, para que la leáis y así practicáis un poco el idioma de Shakespeare, que nunca viene mal.

“The common law definition of “road” here in New Zealand essentially states that the basic right that is to be exercised on a road is that of travelling from one place to another. For some reason there are people who believe that “the law” gives individuals driving motor vehicles exclusive rights to use the road, but nothing could be further from the truth, the liberty to drive is not a natural right and the provisions in the legislation impose restrictions and obligations, rather than granting rights. We live in an era where common sense seems to be the most uncommon of the senses and we can find drivers doing what seems to be a competition to see who can overtake a cyclist in the most radical way. Once confronted the regular justification is that they do it “to make a point”. What point if you don’t mind me asking? One day a driver with road rage will pass a cyclist so close that it will hit his head with the wing mirror and kill him, and then the point made will be crystal clear. I hear all the time local drivers adamantly complaining about the recklessness of overseas drivers, but they are frustratingly unable to see that they drive like bullies and they behave as if they own the road, forgetting that the road is to be shared with others that also want to go from A to B, by car, bicycle or horse. Respect and tolerance should be exercised in order to guarantee a harmonious coexistence. Even the brightest local seems to transform into a bumpkin when driving the Glenorchy Road, showing with its intolerant driving the biggest promulgation of ignorance seen in this land since the arrival of the pakeha.”

En fin, veremos si la publican (está en el Otago Daily Times y en el Lakes Weekly Bulletin) y sirve para que la gente de por aquí deje de mirar a los demás con prepotencia y arrogancia y se fijen un poco en su mala educación al conducir.

Enrique & Marina
English version

CYCLING

Now that summer seems to finally be settling down in New Zealand Enrique’s trying to kick out his laziness and go cycling regularly. Thus it’s a good sport to practice so when I go running he can join a cycling race if there’s one held at the same event. He’s using Jess’s road bike because she’s not really using or looking after it, so takes care of the bike, takes it services and basically treats it like his own.

His usual ride is from Glenorchy to Bennett’s Bluff and back, which is about 50 km of rolling road through one the most beautiful roads in the whole word, the Glenorchy Road.

He’s also been up to Coronet Peak, the closest ski resort to Queenstown. This road climbs the hillside of the mountain y treats you with wonderful views of the Wakatipu basin.

And his last trip (also the longest) was Lake Hayes Estate – Hunter Road – Arthur’s Point – Queenstown – Glenorchy. This was a good four hours ride on typical New Zealand roads with the last 45 km being the complete Glenorchy Road.

He’s always been a keen cyclist and loves going up and down mountains and now also up and down roads. I do too, but 1) I do not have a bike and 2) I would rather run in the mountain where there’re no cars. And why such a big concern about cars? Well, it’s well known that Kiwi drivers are not particularly respectful towards cyclist. It seems that car drivers compete to see who overtakes the closest to the cyclist. And when arguing their only point is that roads are for cars. This answer is just plain ignorance.

There’s a massive argument, particularly in que Lakes District, about tourists driving, because they drive hired cars that they’re not used to, they get on the wrong lane, drive too slow or stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. Locals feel that all the car accidents happening in New Zealand are overseas drivers’ faults and that their lack of skills causes all the deaths occurred on the road. However, in our opinion the general driving style in New Zealand is worse that in Portugal, so they should really look at themselves before criticising everyone else.  Immerse in those thoughts while riding back to Glenorchy, Enrique decided to write a letter to one our local papers. We’ve copied what he wrote. 

It’s already been published in the on line version of the Otago Daily Times and also the printed version of the Lakes Weekly Bulletin.

“The common law definition of “road” here in New Zealand essentially states that the basic right that is to be exercised on a road is that of travelling from one place to another. For some reason there are people who believe that “the law” gives individuals driving motor vehicles exclusive rights to use the road, but nothing could be further from the truth, the liberty to drive is not a natural right and the provisions in the legislation impose restrictions and obligations, rather than granting rights. We live in an era where common sense seems to be the most uncommon of the senses and we can find drivers doing what seems to be a competition to see who can overtake a cyclist in the most radical way. Once confronted the regular justification is that they do it “to make a point”. What point if you don’t mind me asking? One day a driver with road rage will pass a cyclist so close that it will hit his head with the wing mirror and kill him, and then the point made will be crystal clear. I hear all the time local drivers adamantly complaining about the recklessness of overseas drivers, but they are frustratingly unable to see that they drive like bullies and they behave as if they own the road, forgetting that the road is to be shared with others that also want to go from A to B, by car, bicycle or horse. Respect and tolerance should be exercised in order to guarantee a harmonious coexistence. Even the brightest local seems to transform into a bumpkin when driving the Glenorchy Road, showing with its intolerant driving the biggest promulgation of ignorance seen in this land since the arrival of the pakeha.”

Maybe someone will become less arrogant and more respectful and polite when sitting behind the wheel.

Enrique & Marina