Murchison to Maruia Springs, Friday 28 January.





Maruia Falls








We had a cooked breakfast delivered to our motel room at 7.30. Pedallers Paradise advised no facilities before our planned tea stop at Springs Juction so we stocked up at the Murchison Supermarket.

We headed south on route SH65 and stopped for an elevenses break at a scenic bridge where a side road crossed over the river. A few miles down the road we had another scenic stop at the Maruia Falls. This was formed only in 1929 when an earthquake diverted the river from its former course.

There was then a long gradual climb to Shenandoah Saddle where we stopped for lunch and waited for Peter.

Unfortunately we had now reached the realm of the Sandfly the serpent of the eden of the West Coast of South Island. These are like mosquitoes with teeth twice the size. They come out any time of day and laugh off most types of insect repellant.

Peter was feeling the heat which was again about 30C. By the time he arrived we were anxious to get away from the bites. Martin also needed to get to our nights accommodation early as he was meeting some friends who had moved to New Zealand. We agreed to meet up with Peter either at the Tea stop or at our destination.

The ride down from the pass was hard with many ups and downs and with the effects of the heat multiple cool drinks were needed at the Springs Junction Cafe.

With no sign of Peter we left a message with the cafe that we had gone on. Our destination was Maruia Springs Thermal Resort. This is about 10k up Lewis Pass but before the serious climbing starts.

Peter had an interesting story to tell when he arrived. On the ride from the pass to Springs Junction he found the heat was getting too much for him. He started talking to an elderly lady who was looking after some cows asking her if she knew of anybody who could give him a lift. She said she would do it herself except she couldn't be sure he was safe. Eventually she rang her daughter who told her that Peter sounded ok and to give him a lift. The bike just fitted in her car boot.

In the evening we relaxed away the aches of the day at the hotels geothermal hot pools.

The days ride was 60 miles with 2624ft of climb.Average speed was10.9 with 5hrs 24mins riding time.