The End is in Sight!

Well, Julie and I didn't get the chance to catch up with Del in Gore as we had planned. He decided to make a run for it and cycled 132kms from Balclutha to Invercargill - 8.5 hours of pedalling - beating his own record!
Knowing that Julie and I were waiting for him there made him determined to get the challenge finished as quickly as he could. We surprised him by meeting him en route to Invercargill with a bottle of Powerade and a Mars Bar to help him over the last few kms.

 He arrived at our motel in Invercargill at 5.00pm in a state of exhaustion and happy stupour.

The conditions were good with long flat stretches and little wind. He had to "Run with the Bulls" at one stage when a herd of energetic steers stampeded, drooling and snorting down the road. The drover advised him to stand still as they passed around him though he was a little nervous that his high viz shirt and fluttering flag might be the next best thing to a "red rag"!
He'll complete his challenge tomorrow and cycle to Bluff! The return journey is 60kms so no need for the usual 6.00am start!  Julie and I will be there to record his achievement and celebrate his safe arrival "home".