Day 1 - Thursday 17 February

Day 2 - Friday 18 February

It's about a 2-hour drive to Milford Sound. We depart at about 10am. Plenty of time for you to caffeine up at Sandfly café. With a bit of insight (luck) we booked room for 30 people at the magnificent Milford Sound Lodge. We can wake up tomorrow and relax as 300 odd cyclists have to travel 2hrs to get to us. Latte please!!

I'll let the hotel website description take over from here…. And I quote…… "Slow down, breathe deep and stay the night on the doorstep of one of New Zealand's most iconic natural landmarks, Milford Sound. Here, in one of the wildest places in the South Island, discover one of the finest accommodation experiences. A collection of secluded and stylish chalets with a front-row seat to the spectacle of Fiordland and its waterfalls, rushing rivers and towering peaks."

Those who want to ride - we suggest an out and back from the lodge. It's good practice for tomorrow. You can choose 20, 30, 40, 60km. Turn around when you've had enough.

Late this afternoon we venture out on to Milford Sound for a 2hour cruise. There's no point in coming to one of the wonders of the world without having a look.

Tonight, we've asked the Pio Pio restaurant to organize a pasta buffet. Some of you need fattening up. By the way - just in case you were wondering because I was. The Pio Pio is an olive-brown thrush-like songbird, Turnagra capensis, which was probably extinct by the mid20th century so please sing out if you see one.

/ Accommodation - Milford Sound Lodge
/ Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ps, for those who want to experience something really special we are offering a helicopter transfer which will take you directly from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

Day 3 - Saturday 19 February

Well - today is that day. Very exciting. It is without doubt one of the most scenic sportive's in the world. Can't wait to get back there.

By now you would have trained and mentally prepared for either the Meridian Milford Mountain Classic which involves 122km and 1760 VM. Or the Ricoh Homer Hundred - 100km starting at the Homer tunnel. There's also the Fiordland Lobster Eglinton Challenge which offers 65km of picture paradise cycling. (we will run the 65km and 100km riders to the start at about 11am)

Let's talk you through the day. After breakfast you can relax. Polish your bike. Yoga. Go fishing. There's nothing to be done right up until the 12noon start time. That gives all the domestic traffic the chance to get off the road.

Here's a pretty good description of what you can expect.. The 122km ride starts at sea level and for the first 5km it is not much more than a false flat (climbing about 100m) before the road rises sharply. Over the next 14km you climb constantly to about 900m above sea level followed by a 12km decent to the foot of the Divide. The Divide is about a 200VM climb over 2kms. The remaining 85-90km is mainly flat or a gentle decent. Ride Holidays will be at the halfway point with a full selection of fuel, epo and anything else you require.

This evening we've booked a local hotel. We've also employed a professional to put together a short video on today's festival of cycling. We'll play it on the big screen while RH gang of 60 has a few beers or a glass of wine together.

/ Accommodation - Te Anau Distinction
/ Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Sunday 20 February

Today is designed around rest and relaxation. Yes - it's a holiday. (kind of)

We start with the official event breakfast where we watch many RH clients collect their gongs. Well-deserved one would say.

It's then a gentle recovery (in fact - there's up to 100km if you want to) coffee ride.

Or…. we can arrange a day trip to Doubtful Sound. Cruise across beautiful Lake Manapouri and over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where you will board our catamaran for a three-hour cruise taking in the dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. This would be my suggestion for Team Mac.

There are a huge number of walks which we can recommend - including the challenging Kepler track. We've booked a 1pm jetboat for those wanting to walk (6km) a condensed version of the track.

Tonight, is our farewell dinner. Good times, great company, awesome ride……

/ Accommodation - Te Anau Distinction
/ Meals included - Breakfast and Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements although is included for the Doubtful Sound people)

Ps, please talk to Karl if you would prefer heading back to Queenstown today. We are aware quite a few of you have already visited Te Anau and Doubtful Sound.

Day 5 - Monday 21 February