March 4, 2025
Lake Paringa to Lake Ianthe
I slept well last night and regretted setting an alarm because I was dead asleep when it went off. The morning riding wasn’t that exciting. There were some short views of the ocean but that mainly just returned to the highway. I had trouble getting comfortable on the bike this morning and it felt like a longer ride than 69 km into Fox Galcier. I arrived by 11 so it was time for coffee and more breakfast. I talked to a couple of British riders taking their time down the TA in the other direction.
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I set off after the break headed for Franz Joseph. It was only 23 km but had three substantial climbs and descents. It was a really touristy place with several helicopter places to take people up to see the glacier. I didn’t stick around long. I was in and out of the 4-square and back on the road quickly.
The afternoon went by fairly quickly. I stopped at a lake for another snack at about 2 and decided I’d try and ride 160 km as the riding was straight forward.
By about 5 I was in Hari Hari where there was supposed to be a holiday park/motel. I rolled up to be sadly disappointed by the state of things and decided I’d continue. I tried a place right across that said vacancy but they had just rented their last room. She suggested the motel but when I gave her a look of despair she chuckled.
I looked at my camping app and had to ride another 18 km to get to a DOC campground. The sky’s opened up for the second time of the day. Here on the west coast rain is a thing and it seems to be highly localized as I could see I was coming into the rain from being in the sun.
I put on my coat and just kept going. Luckily there was no wind and I was moving fast. I made camp before 6, got set up in case of more rain and enjoyed a good meal with a nice picnic table and lake views.
Tomorrow I get to do the Wilderness Trail before likely getting to Greymouth. It’s 155 km so that may be ambitious and I may stop short and camp.
Highlights:
-good breakfast in Fox Glacier
-fairly light traffic and respectful drivers
-nice campsite at Lake Ianthe
Distance: 174 km and 1712 m elevation gain.
Today's ride: 174 km (108 miles)
Total: 3,698 km (2,296 miles)
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