But the "dreadful weather" as they cycled the Otago Central Rail Trail failed to deter (from right) sisters June Jacobs, of Gisborne, and Marie Burgess, of Hamilton, their niece, Karin Deleeuw, of Hawkes Bay, and friend Jan Eewart, of Hamilton, who arrived in Dunedin on the Taieri Gorge train yesterday after their five-day ride.
The rain, sleet and snow, combined with a southerly and a somewhat "bumpy ride", failed to dampen their spirits, which were boosted by "wonderful accommodation" and friendly, generous people.
The women, aged between 57 and 78, loved the snowy landscape and all agreed a national cycleway was a great idea.
Despite some moments of "whimpering", they stood up to the challenge of the trip which had revealed many places they would like to see again - by car.
