Day 11- Kumara to Hokitika 72 kms

Once again it was a 6.30 am wake up and I felt a bit tired this morning after a late night Alkira board meeting. I zoomed in from New Zealand to the 7.00 pm meeting in Melbourne!

The morning breakfast was in the hotel room where we have cereal and canned fruit.

Lunch today was sandwiches on the road which was organised by Rob Baker with the hotel 

The start for the ride was prompt at 7.30 am and the weather was coolish and a bit humid. The was virtually no wind and the temperature started at above 12 degrees warming to about 20 during the day .

The trail today was a combination of unmade roads and walking/ riding tracks. The surface was good although there were several spots where the track had tight turns with switchbacks. At one stage I had a fall on a tight corner but was ok apart from a small graze on my knee….. another bloody fall!

We had 2 climb’s which were quite easy really as it seems we are getting into the swing of the ride.

The country was a mixture of rainforest, scrub with very little farming along the trail.

During the ride we met several people riding the trail and spent some time with a couple from Canada who are doing rides in NZ .

We also saw quite a few hikers ( in NZ they are called Trampers!) towards the end of the day which is interesting 

The day finished early at Hokitika around 2.15 which meant we could enjoy the town at bit more.

Having a coffee with Rob Baker we reflected on the wonderful countryside we are seeing and the need to explore more.

Me outside the hotel ready to leave

Typical view of the trail today with rainforest style vegetation 

Another view along the trail going across swamps 

A view of one of the rivers we crossed 

…. The rock has been transplanted!

At the top of one of the climbs 

A view down the valley towards Hokitika