Arthur's Pass

MikeO

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Location
Dereham, Norfolk, today...
22nd February 2017

I wake to find I am 60 years old.

How the fuck did that happen?

It's a dull looking day and I decide that the waterproof gear is the way to go. Today's plan is to cross the island to the West Coast via Arthur's Pass...

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It's raining softly as I set off just after 0900. Although it's not a problem, I'll be crossing a couple of ranges of hills and I hope the weather isn't going to spoil the view...
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I join the Inland Scenic Route (Highway 77)...

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There are occasional views of clearer weather, but the sky to my left - which is the way this road will eventually take me - is pretty grim...

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I'm routed down the Rakala Gorge, which has some beautiful views - the river divides into a delta amongst all the deposited gravel...

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...and the rain abates for a while as I climb the other side towards the superbly named town of Windwhistle...

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The temperature is in the mid 60s F, making my waterproofs feel uncomfortably clammy - but at least I'm not at work...
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Blue sky! I accelerate towards it...

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...it's pretty much dry now - but I put off any thought of stopping to change gear until after I've gone over the mountains...

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This will turn out to be a wise decision...

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Just south east of Waddington, I'm steered onto the West Coast Road (Highway 73), and overtake these two chaps on cruisers...

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A little further along, near Springfield, I pass a couple of riders putting waterproofs on in a lay-by - it's not hard to see why...

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It starts raining softly as I climb into Korowai Tussocklands - is that a great name or what?...

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I'm always slightly distrustful of road surfaces - particularly those on a gradient - that are experiencing rain for the first time in a while, so I keep my speed down...

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Water spots on the lens too - dammit...

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I get to the top of the pass and stop at an overlook...

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...taking the time to clean the lens and take a couple of pictures. Although I don't yet know it - this has been the worst weather of the day...

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I make way down the far side of the pass - the weather ahead is clearing up nicely (as I would expect, being protected from the moist east air by the first range of hills)...

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All the bikes have passed me while I was stopped faffing about with cleaning the camera...

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Best catch them up, then...
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Near Castle Hill, there are the first of many sets of roadworks and temporary traffic lights - the flag lady walks up the line of waiting cars handing out lollipops...
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Where else in the world would you find this?
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The landscape reminds me of Alaska...

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...huge wide gravel-filled valleys and steep sided mountains...

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I catch up with the trailing pair of motorcyclists and, since they are doing about 103kph, use them as speed buddies for a while...

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Visibility is really improving now...

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This is a beautifully scenic stretch of road...

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...and the dark weather gives it a threatening feel that adds something to the view (if you've ever been down Glencoe in marginal weather you'll know what I mean)...

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The two anonymous riders and I eventually part company at Arthur's Pass village...

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...where the draw of something hot to eat proves too much for me.

Since I haven't had breakfast, I decide to have a spot of lunch at the Wobbly Kea Café...

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And what better for a birthday brunch than...

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...Nachos?
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I also meet the charming Margo, from Chicago - wouldn't it be poetic if she worked for Wells Fargo?

She doesn't.

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She thinks my Nachos look great, then sensibly goes to buy some fruit...

Onward!

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I was tempted to change into dry weather gear at the café, but decided it would be tempting fate to do so...

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There has been some pretty impressive civil engineering on this side of the pass...

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The road is now completely dry and I make pretty good progress towards Greymouth, my target for today...

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It's a very pleasant ride...

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...with some good bridges...
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Several heavy vehicles pass the other way, lumbering their way uphill - I can actually feel the heat off them as I pass...

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I'm sure I didn't DIDYMO, officer...
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Apparently DIDYMO - otherwise known by the term Rock-Snot - is a form of algae that the NZ Government is trying to control in South Island - regulations require that cleaning protocols of watercraft are carried out after use...

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I'm on the home straight now - only twenty minutes or so before I get to the hotel...

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I come across someone older than me...

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Looks to be in daily use too...
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A quick trip across the weirdest bridge - road and rail combined...

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...and I'm entering Greymouth, where I'm booked in for two nights.

I refuel, and am reminded how important it is to proof read a notice (I didn't tell them
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)

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A day off the bike sorting out some admin tomorrow, I think.

Good day...

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Happy Birthday Mike (Belated?). Enjoying the read and very jealous at the same time.
 
Good one Mike ..... happy birthday :thumb

What a way to spend it :beerjug:
 
Happy Birthday Mike.
Nothing wrong with being 60, I'm there now:)
Enjoying the trip report.
 
Great ride report, just the thing for a dreary day in Lancashire. Oh and bye the way happy birthday Mike.
 
Excellent as usual, Mike....and a very happy birthday - enjoy! :beerjug:
 
Happy Birthday.

(I'll be there soon).

At least you are doing something memorable for it.

Although, judging by the nacho breakfast/lunch, 61 may not be achieved:D
 
Happy Birthday, and thanks for sharing some great images :thumby:
 
Happy birthday big boy! :clap
Great pics as usual! :thumb2
 
Happy Birthday to you Mike. Don't worry about hitting 60 - you're doing much more than blokes half your age :thumb

Enjoying reading your travel posts so keep 'em coming. :D
 
Happy Birthday to you Mike. Don't worry about hitting 60 - you're doing much more than blokes half your age :thumb

Enjoying reading your travel posts so keep 'em coming. :D

Ha ha ... yes indeed :thumb

Nudging sixty I had a six month overland trip through Siberia and Mongolia (with a girlfriend)

Turned sixty and an overland trip through Turkey, Iran and Pakistan and the Karakorum Highway (with same girlfriend)

Sixty is the new forty :D

:beerjug:
 


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