March 14, 2025
French Pass to Havelock.
I set an alarm but didn’t need one. I was 20’ from the boat launch and around 5:40 trucks started backing trailers to the water with keen fisherman shouting at each other. I knew sleep from that point was pointless so I stirred and had a leisurely preparation for the road.
I knew the first climb out would be significant because I rolled down it only 12 hours earlier. The temperature was ideal and I enjoyed the ride up to the top where I was welcomed to the outstanding views for a second time. I really enjoyed this diversion trip and would recommend it to other riders.
I continued on the gravel section until my turnoff where instead of heading back to Okiwi Bay I descended into on pavement into Elaine Bay. It was a bit bigger than French Pass with a campground, dock and maybe 150 homes. I rode straight through to where I thought the gravel section started. I stopped straight away by a private road sign and then another DOC sign about Archer Track (hiking/biking trail). And that was my error. The app I am using doesn’t easily differentiate between gravel and hiking paths or at least I’m not competent enough to figure it out yet.
Fortunately I had service so I went on the DOC site to learn more about the trail. I learned it was part of the Kennett brothers tracks and that it was doable riding so I decided to continue. I rode that for about 9 km and it was mostly pleasant stay at the same elevation along the water line but through the forest. I only had some very short HAB sections over massive roots or where a small stream cross with a steep pitch.
I passed a half dozen hikers and then at the end met a guy who had a place in town. I showed him the rest of my route and he said it was a hiking track and he showed me the best road way (only way) to go. So I scrapped my track and took to the sealed road for one of the hardest road climbs of the trip. I do t know if it was weary legs or the gradient or both but it wasn’t easy. It just kept switching and climbing steeply where I was always in my lowest gear and grunting up it. Turns out it was a climb of 520 m continuously.
I crested the top and roared down the other side. It was a nice cool descent because I was sweating all the way to the top even though it was deep forest and nicely shaded the whole time. I was somewhat relieved to be back in farm country. As I surveyed the area I could see a lot more mountains which made me nervous that I’d get another one of those climbs but fortunately the road found its way between everything and I soon popped out at the same intersection from yesterday where I’d headed the other way.
Back on highway 6 for another 30 km to Havelock where I arrived by 4 pm and went straight to the burger shack for a delicious, but not nutritious, dinner. Never mind, I was hungry and it was good. Then I hit the 4-square where I met a couple from Alaska who were riding their TA. They asked me if they should do the S2S or the TA and I definitively said the S2S but then explained why. They are still opting for the TA which looking at their bikes and what they said of their experience was likely a better choice.
Tonight I’m staying at a Holiday Park and then I’ll stay in Picton two nights and then take the ferry back to Wellington. From there I may ride some more as I still have a couple days until my flight. I’m over 4700 kilometres after tomorrow so I’ve already ridden my longest tour and I’d like to get to 5000 km if possible.
Likely no posts until Monday as my ride into Wellington is non descript point A to point B.
Highlights:
-getting the same scenery leaving French Pass
-Archer Track was worth doing, although not incredible
-burger and fries at the truck in Havelock
Distance: 97 km and 1683 m elevation gain
Today's ride: 97 km (60 miles)
Total: 4,732 km (2,939 miles)
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