Day 17 - a big day on Big River - the full version

I'm sitting here in the sun in Hokitika while my bike is being worked on.

Yesterday I spent the first 90 minutes in Reefton mulling over whether to bike the Big River Track or take the easier and way shorter road wet weather by-pass.

Big River is the most by-passed section of the TA but I was keen to ride it if I could. The track already has a lot of obstacles including a slip and giant tree blocking the track, but heavy rain can make the track impassable. It had continued to rain during the night, although the weather was improving while I was considering.

I was ultimately aided by a well known local who stopped in the street to chat and advised that if I could get through the first stream at about 11km in (and up) I should be okay. 

As it turned out the stream was only up to my knees as predicted and I continued in. 

The guide book nicely describes the track as 'A challenging 5–7 hour stage, especially after rain. Mountain bikers love it. Cycle tourists should bypass along Highway 7.'

It's a fantastic track in an area with stunning scenery, rich in gold mining history.

Essentially the track was a long climb up a 4Wd track to Big River, then a descent through a bush clad tramping track to Waiutu.

Four wheel drive track up to Big River. While a lot of climbing gradient was manageable 

Cyanide tanks up at Big River

Big River accommodation

View down from the real Big River Hut

Track a little interesting though. Essentially pushing bike up through a stream

I needed to navigate through/over a couple of obstacles. Firstly a slip which was more awkward than dangerous, then a large tree fall that was a real pig to get over

The track drops down to the historical settlement of Waiutu, abandoned in 1951 after the collapse of the mine.

It took 7 hours to get from Reefton to Ikamatua vs 1.5 hours on the road detour. Well worth it though with both the fantastic scenery and riding.

From Ikamatua, the route takes you down the west/North or true right side of the Grey to Greymouth.

100m of this road is the Pike River memorial.

Further down the Road I passed the Brunner Mine memorial, remembering 65 miners killed in an explosion in 1896.

With the late 9am start, I only arrived at my accommodation after 8pm.