Another 10/10 ride
Date: 8 March 2024
Post by Jill today, although I must add that these last 5 days riding from Greymouth to Haast have been totally bloody wonderful. I’ll never get used to riding on our state highways but it’s a small price to pay for the best eye-candy you could ever hope for. 10/10.
We’re lucky to have a few of my 10/10s in NZ.
Nearly 90 km today to Haast, which we’ve been a bit anxious about, as that’s too far for our battery range if we strike a head wind. And a stiff SW was forecast for this afternoon. Accordingly, we set off early – though it was so cold this morning that we waited for the sun to appear over the hills (cold reduces battery range too).
We got to Bruce Bay just as the coffee cart was setting up, so had a coffee in the sun, then carried on, with stops at all the other beautiful spots – Lake Paringa, Lake Moeraki, Knights Point.
And in between, Jurassic Park-style hills and valleys with untouched bush – huge trees covered in whole ecosystems of other plants. Sadly not many birds, but we did see kereru, tomtits and bellbirds.
The wind did get up, but it was otherwise a stunning day. And we didn’t run out of juice. We basked in the late afternoon sun at the Haast Lodge, and shouted ourselves a venison burger for dinner.
Supplies: On the Spot Haast
Accommodation: Haast Lodge Backpackers
These videos are best viewed on a computer screen. Turning your phone sideways helps.
Max elevation: 186 m
Min elevation: 3 m
Total climbing: 879 m
Total descent: -881 m
Total time: 06:58:08
Battery use: 82% | 540Wh Up to Knights Point, 60km and the only real climb of the day, I had only used 43%, but then the preficted 20km head wind kicked and we were tired so we turned up the power and and got home with legs to spare