The weather forecast for today was for heavy rains with up
to 200 mm in the next 24 hours and winds averaging 30 kms out of the NE and
gusting to 50 kms. The ride called for
110 kms and 1310 m climb headed almost due NE. It was going to be a challenging day even without
the weather. The wind alone made it an
impossible day and rain reduced the visibility to almost zero making a really
totally unsafe.
However we were not going to just sag down to the next
stop. The wind and rain were coming over
the mountains from the NE and through the pass towards the west coast. So we got up early and rode 30 kms up to
Westport. The wind was almost zero when
we left the motel at 8:15 AM but by the time we got to Westport it was blowing
pretty hard. So we turned west and rode
out to Foulwind Point a further 16 kms. Sailing
along with the wind was great fun. We
jumped off out bikes and walked out to the lighthouse at Foulwind Point. It was an important navigational point in the
early days of navigation between Australia and New Zealand. After the little walk to the lighthouse we
rode a further 5 kms down to a seal colony.
We walked out to see the seals on rocks and just as we got back to the
van the rain started to bucket down. Not
the big ride but at least we did get 51 kms in.
We loaded the bikes and headed into Westport for lunch. Agnes, Jos and I went into the Westport “Coal
City” museum and Tom and Amy went shopping.
The museum was very interesting and detailed the coal industry along the
west coast on New Zealand. The industry
started in the 1860’s and continued through the 1970’s when the last of the big
mines shut down. Low prices and
declining production ended coal mining on the west coast. There is still lots of coal to be mined and
it is all high quality bituminous coal but low prices and low demand prevent
further mining.
After lunch we sagged the down the 70 kms to Murchison. The canyon ride looked really beautiful or at
least what could be seen. It is a real
shame we could not ride it. The only
thing is to come back and again.
Here is a link to the ride: https://goo.gl/maps/t1GeNGn3ENo
Weather forecast for the next to
week is sun – Yahoo
3 comments:
Sorry for the inclement weather, but you did a good job getting some riding in. The seal colony at Cape Foulwinds was a great choice. The answer to your rhetorical question is , "yes, you do need to come back so you can see/ride along the Buller River." Here is hoping the sunny forecast is correct. Later, Earnie
What a trip! Really enjoying your ride blog. Hope the worst weather is behind you.
Ted W.
We just returned from Dallas and got cought up on your trekking. What great sights and adventures. You guys are making the best of a lot of wet and windy days. Way to go.
I visited the doc for a persistent cough and was diagnosed with bronchitis. Back on drugs. I am afraid your trip would have done me in. You are tough! Keep up the good work.
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