On the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail

4 February - We started our ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail.  Five of us, the others being Bonnie and Shirlee from the USA and Selwyn from Auckland.  Day 1 was from Greymouth to Kumara Junction.  An easy 17.5km, riding along the coast to start with.  We started in sunshine with a tail wind, but torrential rain hit us near Kumara Junction and we had to shelter in a cafe for quite a while - so no photos taken on the ride, but we enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Theatre Royal Hotel at Kumara which has been beautifully refurbished.

Day 2 was from Kumara Junction to Cowboy Paradise, a longer ride of 47km which became increasingly uphill as we got further into the back blocks. 

This cycle trail has been built to a very high standard.  Owen took this photo and received an award for it at Camera club.

Looking for a geocache - we did find it!

At Kapitea Reservoir, Bonnie, Jean, Selwyn and Owen

Lunch stop

Bonnie's fold-up bike

Shirlee's fold up bike

The last part of our ride to our accommodation at Cowboy Paradise was wet and extremely cold.  Apparently snow fell at Arthurs' Pass.  We were very glad to reach our well-heated rooms with good hot showers.  Cowboy Paradise can only be reached by bicycle (apart from the farmer's private access).

Welcome sunshine at Cowboy Paradise the next morning.