West Coast/Wet Coast: Improvise and overcome

February 1, 2017

Unfortunately the weather for most of the day was crappy again as a result we did not ride from Arthur's Pass as scheduled. The NW winds were blowing hard again and it was also pouring rain. To add to the problem a section of the road was not fit for cyclists and only open for 10 min of every hour for cars. They were working to repair a rock slide (slip in NZ parlance) that had taken out a section of the road. Plus the major downhill of 16% grade was determined to be too dangerous under wet conditions. Our guides course corrected again today taking us to Punakiki and the pancake rocks something that we would have otherwise missed. After a late lunch the sun finally came out so we got on our bikes for a 54km ride to Hokitika for the night. However the sunshine did not come without a price, a SW head wind. I have determined that if you want sun you get a SW head wind and if rains then it is a NW wind. No matter what we do on this trip so far it seems we have a head wind. Here is one photo to give you the idea and I will add more to yesterday's blog and today's when I have better internet

A view from the van of the water coming down the mountain and over the road.

The Chimney Pot blow hole at the pancake rocks blowing its stack. It makes a real whooshing sound when it blows.

Repairing the slip at Arthur's Pass. This is where the road was unpassable to cyclists and the cars could only pass for 10min every hour

Crossing the river just outside Greymouth. The last time I rode here we had to use the road that was under construction and it has railway tracks down the middle of the road. This path is a vast improvement.

Today's ride: 54 km (34 miles)
Total: 1,265 km (786 miles)

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