...as for the next day...
Back out on the main road again, I was fantastically early with only about 80km of sealed road to take me through to my night's accommodation in Geraldine - how boring! So as I pootled along I tried to think of some possible variations I could work into my route.
For next time, try Fairlie, head towards Geraldine for a few k's, then turn into Tondross/ Spur Rd.....it's a little cracker, super-scenic and right along the top of the ridge.
Another one, running parallel to the south is Rockwood Rd. (which hits the SH8 near the Cricklewood Rd. turnoff, the lead-in to the the Mackenzies Pass).
Another worthwhile extension is the Mount Gay Rd., which also ties the Spur + Rockwood Rds together for a drop into Tatora via Hazelburn and Monument Rd.
Add a few more gravel roads towards Geraldine, some of them quite hilly/ good views.
https://goo.gl/maps/CmsJRJwYJAN2
As for that Tekapo Canal Rd.....there's another reason for yet another SI ride !!! Never got around to doing it...
Edit:....and for a bit of extra fun and a quite decent river crossing thrown in at the start, i forgot about this one
(gets you right to the start of Spur Rd. too...sort of):
https://goo.gl/maps/NRBY8Z81LYt
Joins the hwy at Fat Albert's Smokehouse (which sadly was closed when we came past)