Jeremey and Jo’s posts

Stunning ride over maruia saddle today through lovely beech forest, and the most amazing downhill approx 36km to reefton

Check out this little fellow, a robin I think?

Message from Jo who is a few days ahead

Happy birthday Paul.  Hope you had a great days riding yesterday and celebrated in Harihari- noted it had a pub, excellent cafe and an RSA for you to choose from.🍺

Found the 3 saddles from Franz Josef to Fox very tough, the climbing is okay if you pace yourself but it’s more the rain,  the washouts, drop offs, bridges,narrow roads with minimal shoulder in places, international drivers and heavy traffic that makes it difficult.  You also need to keep warm on the long descents, I found it the most challenging section in the route so far.  It is between two glaciers I guess! Did you know that it’s Chinese New Year at the moment ?and apparently with Kaikoura closed  the roads here are the busiest ever. Be safe.  Here’s some pics,  including native Rata up at cowboy paradise, two cheeky wekas along the lake Kaniere water race track,  Lake Kaniere (stunning ,and the sandflies agree) two cheeky Weka and the Hokitika clock tower in the rain ☔

 

 

Big River day

Stayed in the old nursing home in Reefton.  Lovely old building in great condition set on beautifully kept grounds.  Whether looks OK for big river ride.  Reefton is at 2050 kms.  So he is 2/3rds of the way!!!!  110 kms from Reefton to Greymouth today.  And they go through Blackball which is where the Labour Party was formed apparently.

Mikes shot of sunrise on Big River

Waiuta Track – Big River

Geoff said the scenery was stunning and  beautiful.  Lots of climbing and the track was more of a tramping track.  Pushing the bike over rocks etc.

Here are some of his shots of the day

Start of big river track just after dawn, Big river hut, Somewhere near start of Waiuta track, Waiuta track- a bit of walking to do, End of Waiuta, Food left for TA riders at start of 4wd track to Big River.

He’s now in Graymouth for the night, staying on a lovely old hotel.  Complementary soup and dinner is the roast of the day.

Murchison to Reefton

In Reefton after wet ride. Maruia saddle ride lovely.

Shortage of tomatoes predicted for West Coast – tomatoes all over the road after truck crash just north of where TA route joins highway after Maruia saddle. Road was closed giving a traffic free run into Maruia.  Riding Waiuta track tomorrow.  Amazing scenery in beech forests.

Some comments from Miles

Quite a trip for Paul so far – Delhi belly, shunted off the road into a ditch by a moronic driver – sprained ankle and 2 x bee stings today

Paul has had a rough couple of days but his lip is causing great amusment and of course sympathy from me !
A couple of days ago we decided to ramp up the distances a tad and I’ve loved the extra challenge.
Paul arrives ahead of me but it’s very special riding alone at your own pace alone with your thoughts, stopping where you want and in your personal “zone”
Tomorrow we do Big River providing the weather is ok.
It’s really interesting how the body and mind copes with long hilly days and constant tiredness.
There is a huge amount of good will and camaraderie within the tour riders group.
Every one is spilling their gutz but the courage and endurance of some folk is staggering.
Paull – despite my best efforts, the bike has performed faultlessly.
The maxis crossmarks have been the ticket – many thanks.
We are all missing our Whahine and whanau and their encouragment and support is what spurs us on.
All the very best to all, Miles

Tapawera to Murchison

Geoff made an early start and was in Murchison at about 1.30.  The first 60ks were up hill then through some beach forests and down to lake Rotoroa which was beautiful.  A really lovely ride and clear whether all day.  Past lots of hops growing.  It is getting colder now though, compared to the north island.

He’s staying in the camping ground in a cabin.  So headed off to get dinner supplies, rice, mince, mushrooms and tomatoes on the menu.  He’s slightly over pub type food now and is enjoying cooking his own.

Plan tomorrow is to ride to Reefton.  After that it is the big river day (which sometimes is closed if the river is too high as there is a crossing to be done)  and no accommodation mid way so you have to get to Greymouth.

He’s rigged up his instructions onto his bike bar for easy viewing.  Here are some photos of the day.  Using Velcro from tool bag to secure map booklet, Lake Rotoroa, lovely old hut on Braeburn Track left open for passers by.

Richmond to Tapawera

Geoff bid farewell to Paul and Miles today.  He decided to do about 40ks and Paul and Miles were keen to do well over 100ks.  He’s made it to Tapawera and has had time to cook lunch and dinner in his wee motel room and catch up with lots of things.  Some rain leaving Richmond but then it cleared.

Mike has met Paul Kennet (one of the Kennet brothers who has designed and created the Tour.

Paul Kennett at top of maungatapu saddle oops meant to say peak!

And Jeremy has made it to Nelson today.  Here are his shots –

Refuge at pelorus from the torrential rain today.  Knocked the bastard off, freezing cold, glad I took malcs advice for a warm riding jacket.   And hello sunny Nelson.

Picton to Nelson

They made another really early start and really enjoyed the ride.  On forestry roads at times and there was a walk of about an hour and a half up some really steep terrain.  They arrived in Nelson full of beans at about 3pm.  I made a connection with a Gordon who offered accommodation in Nelson on the TA Facebook site.  After connecting the dots it turns out it is Gordon who I travelled across Asia with in 1988 (Kathmandu London Trip)  Amazing small world.  He did TA in 2016.  Geoff had a great talk with him, however the boys decoded to carry on to Richmond for the night.  Here are some shots Geoff’s sent through of the Maungatapu saddle.

 

Thoughts from Miles on the ferry

Team – we are on the ferry and Picton to night.
Sadly, we made our farwells to Jeremy this afternoon – he is having a day with Christine. It has been an absolute pleasure riding with him.
The landscapes and folk we are meeting are amazing.
One freezing day we knocked on a door asking if we could buy a coffee. We stayed about an hour and they are our new best friends!
Bodies and bikes continue to perform well though yesterday’s 180 km was jolly tiring.
It’s easy to spot the tour riders – sunken eyes, hollow cheeks dirty and smelly !
Be great to begin the south island tho we know there are some hellish hills to come.
It really is the most amazing adventure, mentally and physically and we will bore you for a long time with our exaggerated stories !
All the best to all.
Miles.

Featherston to Picton

After a very luxurious night in the Fetherston hotel, they headed off for Wellington.  A quick stop for soup and then straight onto the 2.35 ferry.  Geoff said the Rimutuka trail was really lovely.  They are past half way now.

Palmy to Featherston

Wow they did 182 ks today.  Like yesterday quite a lot on gravel roads  but today was a lovely fine day.  When they got to Masterton they couldn’t find any accommodation so they decided to push on to Featherston.  Fetherston is 1480 kms from the cape.  So in about 20 ks they will be half way!!!

Plan tomorrow is to arrive in Wellington and get an afternoon ferry.

Here’s a comment and photo from Jeremy

Thought you might like a non cycling photo today, rode 182km from Palmerston north and now staying at the very cool Featherstone hotel circa 1904 with a steam punk inspired restoration…..check out the plumbing on this loo; off to Wellington tomorrow.