The Great Outdoors…..Noname to Mudplug mountain biking

The colours of autumn on the West Coast, New Zealand

Autumn has arrived and with it cooler temperatures.  We seem to have been blessed here on the West Coast though as to date, our autumn has been lovely and this weekend is no exception – clear blue sunny skies and hot!

This afternoon we’re off to do a ride called Noname which meets up with the Mudplug to the Little Hohuhu creek and then back out again.  Depending on the conditions we may go a little further for some West Coast backcountry exploration…… first though……..

The Noname starts in the back of Marsden, all forestry blocks in the back of Greymouth.  This is all native bush and plantation pine forest.  A cross between Jurassic Park and Sherwood forest…….

The first section is a bit of a slog up the actual Noname gravel road – nice loose gravel – best kind right!  There are a scattering of houses/sections along the way so we have the dogs on their leads just to be safe.  Not sure if this makes the hill climb easier or harder.  Nico, if given the chance might just pull me up the hill but if he finds something to smell along the way, I could be on the ground very quickly!  Ziggy is generally better behaved on his lead – not sure if that is his good behaviour or because Stephen has a hold of him and not me……..

Biking through the forest Noname to Mudplug, West Coast, NZ

Pretty soon we leave the gravel road and head up a 4WD forestry road.  The first section of the forestry road is regenerated native bush. It is really pretty in here with the mix of native forest and plantation forest – deep ravines to the side that seem to drop off forever.  The trail is a gradually meander through the bush before a short downhill and then the real climbing begins.  It isn’t particularly long but the gravel is quite loose and there are some large rocks/stones to negotiate your way up and over.  Once at the top we start the decent down through the native forest and into the start of the plantation forest.  This section is really rough and rocky and very loose.  Good fun but you have to take care and pick your lines.  Already I’m thinking of the return trip and not feeling particularly confident that I can keep my balance for the climb back out.  Nevermind – I’ll tackle that when the time comes….. back to concentrating on the downhill and enjoying the ride.

Mountain biking in the back blocks of Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

Eventually the bottom arrives and we enter the logged forest area.  The trail meanders along with some large puddles to skirt around.  The dogs are happy to see these and get a well-earned drink.  Quite a bit of logging has gone on in here over the last five or so years.  The first time every up this way, when I moved to the West Coast,  I was biking through pine forest, now it is all mainly deadwood stumps as it has been completely logged.

We arrive at the junction of the two trails and head off down the Mudplug.  The trail lives up to its name today after some rain last week.  Stephen roars ahead as usual – he is much quicker than me and likes to jump off the rocks.  My excuse is I’m always thinking of the dogs – and not trying to make them run too fast – it is a long run in the sunshine.  That is my excuse anyway and I’m sticking to it!

mountain biking fun, Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

The last section the boys leave me and scoot ahead to catch up with Dad who is waiting at the creek.  They are keen to get in the creek for a drink and a cooling off.  This is also a good opportunity for a lunch stop for Stephen and me.  We’ve got a filled roll each from the Do Duck In bakery in Greymouth – a nice little treat.  Better still is the apple turnover waiting for us back at the car…… that will help entice me back up the hills later……

Stephen heads off through the creek to find the original mud-plug loop track.  I didn’t even know this existed!  After a couple of creek crossings and some nice boggy sections the track veers off to the right and straight up.  Stephen and I both attempt to climb it on our bikes but it is pretty steep and very rocky – nice slippery rocks as everything is well sheltered in here from the sun so no chance of drying out.  We push our bikes up, up and up before it finally plateaus at the top.  It is fairly well over grown up here, lots of trees down so the 4WD vehicles aren’t even coming up here to help keep it open and a bit more ridable.  We push on – Stephen assures me he knows where he is going….. mmmmm……

mountain biking, Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

There are plenty of bogs to negotiate, walking to the side or through them mainly – not many are ridable.  We attempt a couple that look promising but soon end up caked in mud and sucked to the bottom – a nice sound and feeling!  The old 4WD track meanders up and down, round and round, crisscrossing some bogs and straight through others.  The boys are having a blast, into every bog possible and disappearing into the scrub only to come out a little further up the track.  If they were smiling, it would be from ear to ear!

Eventually the trail gets quite rocky again and we start the decent – apparently I know where I’m going to end up – oh right, now I know, back at the creek.  It was actually a fun little loop even if we walked most of it.

mountain biking, Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

After a quick snack, time to get going – can’t delay the inevitable for ever – there are hills that must be climbed – time to head back out.  Actually it isn’t that bad, pick the right line, bounce a bit over the boulders but all in all it is pretty good.  The creek crossings are all ridable thanks to the earlier rainfall – keeps the water flowing rather than building up into deep holes.  Stephen comments that this must be what Jurassic Park would look like – it is truly beautiful in here and climbing out you do notice the bush more so than hooting downhill.  There are heaps of Rimu trees – young and old, ferns galore of all sizes and heaps of other native bush.  We figure we’re riding up a ridgeline as there is quite the drop-off if you look out to the right of the climb through the bush.  Even better reason to make sure you get your lines right and stay on your bike!

The top beckons and pretty soon we are back at the junction – it really is the junction of Jurassic Park and Sherwood Forest – the contrasts are classic.  We’ve got a nice meander along through the logged plantation forest before the climb back out of the native forest.  The odd bit of “bush lawyer” grabs me – and it hurts!  Watch out for that, ouch!  As if I didn’t have enough to concentrate on already.  Classic.

Hidden treasures being consumed by the forest, West Coast, NZ

Stoked though as soon I’m at the top and meandering back down the other side.  We noticed a side trail coming in that we hadn’t seen before so decided to see if it lead us anywhere – could be a whole new trail to ride.  It turns out to be an old rope road from mining we presume.  Gorgeous though, and while reasonably flat, technical at the same time with heaps of tree roots, soft mossy ground and fallen branches to negotiate.  We followed it as far as we could – basically until it got too overgrown.  It went quite the distance and we were sure we were going to end up meeting one of the forestry roads.  Wasn’t to be though, ended in the middle of the forest, in the middle of nowhere so back we headed to the main trail.  Nice wee add-on though all the same.

Nico & Ziggy after a day’s riding, West Coast, NZ

Last downhill and Stephen speeds ahead again.  Nico our dalmatian is quite large and I didn’t want him running too fast so I stayed at the back with him so he would just trot rather than run and do himself an injury.  He seemed pretty happy to go at a slower pace and I’m sure his joints appreciated it too!  Ziggy didnt’ seem to mind the excuse to go a little slower either – it’s been a big day exploring for both of them.

Back to the car, changed and loaded up ready for home.  Another great afternoon on the wonderful West Coast.  Now where are those apple turnovers, I think we deserve them……..

Jan and Stephen run Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki coastline, just north of Greymouth with the help of their faithful companions Nico and Ziggy.  They love to get out and explore the wonders of the West Coast so check out their website or blog for other adventures and things to see and do on the West Coast.

The wonderment of Nature

Foaming beaches, Nine Mile beach, West Coast, New Zealand

Isn’t nature amazing.  Ever wondered what all the foam on the beach is about after a big storm?  Think it is pollution – the rough seas grabbing all the scum in the ocean and then dumping it on the beach…….. I’ve always thought so, and walking through it, it has been “oohh yuk!”  But we are wrong – it is far from pollution and in fact only occurs on clean beaches and New Zealand is renowned as having some of the cleanest beaches in the world – hence why we see all this “sea scum”.

stormy seas and beach foam, Nine Mile Creek, West Coast, NZ

Beach foam has nothing to do with pollution and is actually a natural phenomenon, a natural product of one of the world’s purest and most natural landscapes, drawn from both land and sea and associated with many of the NZ surf beaches and the tiny organisms that live there.

David Bellamy’s “Moa’s Ark the Voyage of New Zealand” sums it up best.

“From the land comes a solution of history, natural chemicals dissolved from the forest soil and made of the remains of mosses, tree ferns, podocarps and flowering plants.  This gold-tinted tincture of natural history then mixes and mingles with the abundant slippums that protect the kelp and other seaweeds from abrasion, to produce this natural detergent-like complex which is then beaten into foam and what we see on our beaches.”

the beauty of beach foam, nine mile beach, Punakaiki Coastline, West Coast, NZ

Like all detergents, it picks up and holds all manner of things including not only plants and animal plankton – all of which are far too small to see with the naked eye, but also tiny bits of debris and fine silt.  National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research marine ecologist and plankton specialist Janet Bradford describes the foam being made up of smashed up cells of phytoplankton, single-celled algae and the nutrients they release when pounded by waves on these surf beaches.  Janet says high energy surf beaches have their own special ecosystem dominated by diatoms, some of which live only in this environment.  Diatoms can look brown or even like black oil – hence the colour of the foam, making it look like a form of pollution.

The major driving force behind the whole process is wave action.  Waves pump water through the sand thus releasing nitrates and other nutrients.  Waves also set up certain circulation patterns in the water that trap these nutrients in the surf zone.  Wave action not only smashes up the diatoms and other phytoplankton that make up the bloom, but also pulls in air bubbles to produce foam.  This foam is typical of exposed sandy beaches, particularly West Coast beaches of New Zealand.

Nine Mile surf beach, Punakaiki Coastline, West Coast, NZ

The wonderment of nature – rather than being inhospitable places to live, beaches that are constantly pounded by waves are actually full of life and beach foam is not a sign of pollution but in fact the outward sign of their enormous productivity.

Another reason the West Coast has to be one of the best places in the world to visit – it is just a bonus that we live here!

Jan runs Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki Coastline – north of Greymouth and is based overlooking the Nine Mile Beach – one of the great surf beaches on the West Coast and a great location for beach foam.

Releasing the Stress Relief Pressure Valve

Glorious West Coast afternoon at Breakers

Phew – it’s been incredibly busy at Breakers this season – running on over 90% occupancy for February.  Thankfully we’ve had some wonderful guests and made some lovely new friends.  For many it is their first visit to Breakers, a good portion have said they’ll be back and for others it was their second or third visit – not bad considering 99% of our guests are international visitors!

Have to admit though I am a wee tad tired – it’s been quite a long time since I had a day off – December 26th to be exact……..  It hasn’t been too bad, that is up until February.  Before then we seemed to be managing our time quite well with the help of our wonderful neighbour up the road helping out with cleaning and occasional checkins so we can get some time out exploring – by foot or by bike.  February hasn’t quite worked as well though – it really has just been too busy.

Today though, with a bike event pending I really needed to get some time on my bike.  Amelia – my sanity in human form, came and helped with the cleaning and between the three of us we had all the rooms cleaned and ready for the next checkins by just after 11.30am.  Certainly helped that most of our guests headed off on their next adventure early this morning so we could get stuck in.

Boys enjoying the Nine Mile Beach at the bottom of Breakers

So after a quick bite to eat and an even quicker trip down to the beach to run the dogs,  I was off.  Today’s ride I ended up doing on my own – Stephen was still doing some last-minute adjustments to his bike and I really just wanted to get going, conscious of my limited timeframe.  My ride today was starting from home – again, didn’t want to waste any precious time with driving somewhere first – could easily loose 1/2 an hour or more.  I’m desperate here!

We’re lucky enough that there are three or four routes we can do straight from home – throw them all together and you’ve got quite the little adventure and a good workout.

First up I headed up the main road to the 8 mile valley (we’re at 9 mile so not far…..).  The first section of the valley ride is a 4WD gravel road that the drillers for Solid Energy use to access the back country.  Great for us as it is a well cleared road whereas when Stephen and I first moved here we used to come up with the slashers to help keep it open.

8 Mile single track, West Coast, NZ

It is a bit of a grind, winding its way up the hill-side, past a rock quarry before meeting the start of the single track.  The gravel road is exceptionally loose at the moment from the drillers driving up and down the road and the road being so dry so they churn it up.  The single track makes up for the grind though…… It used to be part of the old rope road through the native forest from the St James mine back in the early 1900s.  Some enthusiastic locals have spent quite some time (one Dad in particular actually!) working on the track, making it bike friendly with some nice swoopy bits, technical sections, little jumps and big jumps if you are that way inclined.  Once on the single track it is predominately downhill all the way – great fun!  As I was on my own I didn’t over extend myself too much – didn’t need any heroics here today or silly accidents more to the point.  Some parts are quite steep with loose gravel, tree roots and little drop offs to negotiate.  Very satisfying once through these sections that is for sure!

It is a lovely ride down through the native forest with many relics lying in the bush left from the mining days.  The last section is the steepest part of the old rope road and some of the rope is still imbeded in the ground so you have to be careful as your wheel will slide on it and you’ll be on the ground in a flash.  I don’t take any risks on this bit – know my limitations especially being in here by myself and not really knowing how far behind me Stephen might be with his ride.  I could easily endo head first into a tree, bouncing off some steel relic and be waiting in a rather painful and awkward position for some time – so yep, I get off and walk the last section – trust me though, there aren’t many that can ride it, it is super steep, narrow and littered with rusting steel and wood.  It is only a short section of about 100 metres and eventually you pop out of the bush beside the old load-out bay from Solid Energy and the Spring Creek mine.  There is a track in the long grass winding its way along the edge of the fencing for the conveyor belt before putting you onto the old haul road and out into the little coastal hamlet of Rapahoe.

Have to say, just doing this ride alone is enough to release my stress relief pressure valve so that is goal number one ticked off.  Second goal is to get some riding time into my legs and whilst the 8 mile is a great fun blast with a good steady hill climb – I’d be home just under an hour and that won’t help me for my riding event next weekend!  So on I go and head to the Rewanui Incline.

Rewanui Incline, West Coast, NZ

Rewanui Incline is up the seven mile valley in the back of the village of Dunnolie.  It is about 6kms along the state highway again heading towards Greymouth before you turn into the Dunnolie village and then follow the signs for the Spring Creek mine and Rewanui Incline/Walkway.

It starts at the gate for Spring Creek coal mine, a short section of single track following the haul road – put here to ensure the walkers and bikers are safe from the coal trucks and keep us all off the haul road.  Eventually we meet back with the haul road but stay right to head up Mt Davy and the Rewanui Incline proper.  The Incline is the old railway line from the Rewanui and Siberia coal mines – some of the earlier mines in the area – all disused now.  There actually used to be villages up here supporting the coal mines – the Rewanui village and Siberia village further up in the mountain.

Today though, all that remains is the old line the train used to travel, now a gravel road and a gradual incline, through two tunnels before ending at a creek bed where the township once was.  On the other side of the Seven Mile creek you can see some of the old buildings – the bathhouse, store shed and a mine entrance.  They are slowly getting taken over by the bush and are now just a distant reminder of what once was.

Rewanui Incline, West Coast, NZ

The ride up is around 7kms so a good little workout with it being a gradual incline – just enough to know you are going uphill.  It does of course mean you get to have a bit of a blast on the way back down.  Mostly peddling but fast and flowy and fun!

Back onto the road to make my way home and I’m not feeling too bad.  It is a glorious afternoon, hot and sunny.  I’ve got almost an hour left before the 3.30pm checkin time so I decide to take one more run up the 8-mile to finish my ride off.  I think this thought at the bottom of the hill climb up to the 8-mile turnoff – legs don’t feel too bad, come on girl, you can do this and it would be nice to finish on a high of some more fun single track.

End of 8-mile mtb track, West Coast, NZ

I dart across the road to the gate entrance for the 8-mile – no going back now.  Straight into the grind up the gravel road – I’d forgotten in this short time how loose and rutted out it was.  Hard to find a clear line without bouncing your way up the road.  Legs are definitely tired now but it has to be good for you right!  It’s all ok I tell myself, just take it slow and steady, plenty of time to get to the top just keep on spinning.  Its seems longer than I remember but in reality it doesn’t take long and before I know it I’m back in the forest, back into the single track, back into middle chain ring and blasting back down through the trees.  This track is FUN.  Again, no heroics on the technical sections, keep it safe and steady – wahoo – at the bottom before you know it……

Back onto the main road for the last little climb to home and surprisingly the legs don’t feel too bad.  Perfect timing, first lot of guests arrive at the same time as me.  Wonderful to be out in the fresh air on this gorgeous West Coast day, fabulous to let off some steam, great way to release the stress relief pressure valve.  Job done!

Jan runs Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki Coastline, West Coast, NZ with her husband Stephen.  Together with their two dogs, Nico and Ziggy, they love to get out and explore the wonders of the West Coast.  Check out their website and activities page for other things to see and do on the West Coast.

Mountain Biking Mahinapua Tramway West Coast

Mountain biking Mahinapua tram-line walkway, West Coast, NZ

Alleluia!! -  the sun is back after a wet weekend.  Our water tanks were getting low so we were in some desperate need of rain but really….. don’t think we needed quite that much and we would certainly have preferred it if the temperature hadn’t dropped also.  There was even talk of snow on the mountain tops down at the glaciers – in January!

Anyway enough of that – sunshine and blue skies are back and the temperature today wasn’t too bad – actually quite pleasant for biking.

Jan out Mountain biking Mahinapua tram-line walkway, West Coast, NZ

We had a couple of hours spare between guest checkout and guest checkins so headed down to Lake Mahinapua scenic reserve – south of Hokitika.  Our ride today is the Mahinapua walkway and we were starting our ride at the Eastern end of the walkway on the Ross-Rimu road, east of Hokitika.

The walkway is predominately an old logging tramway that serviced the Mananui Sawmill in the late 1800s and early 1900s and the state of preservation of the walkway helps to indicate the care taken in the original preparation of the tram-line’s foundation.  It is probably one of the easier tracks for DOC to maintain.  The first section is nicely hardpacked single before turning to grass or hardpacked dirt/clay.  Thankfully this walkway is dual purpose – ie we are allowed to mountain bike it!

Sawmilling relic on the Mahinapua tram-line walkway, West Coast, NZ

The track starts out reasonably flat and straight, through some beautiful podocarp forest.  There are small rimu trees on the track edge, but looking into the bush you can see the majestic old rimu trees rising up through the forest canopy. There is the occasional relic from the logging days, on the edge of the track that DOC have preserved with information boards giving you some of the history of the area.

The tram-line climbs gradually around the side of a small hill, and soon we reach the turn-off to Picnic Point.  We decide to leave this detour for our return trip on the way back out.

mountain biking Lake Mahinapua scenic reserve and walkway, West Coast, NZ

The majesty of the scenic reserve and podocarp forest are soon behind us and we enter the Mahinapua forest.  The trail now passes through a section of land that has had many uses – commercial logging, land grazing, an experimental forestry station and then logging again in the 1970s. Riding the old grazing section of land is quite bumpy and on a slight incline – giving the legs a good workout.  The smells though are divine – part of the experimental forest was gum trees and after the recent rain the smell is quite strong and sweet.

Just as we re-enter the Mahinapua forest, there is a detour to our right, leaving the tram-line and joining some forestry roads.  It is rocky single track to start with before coming out of the trees onto the logging road and straight up a nice hill climb.  It is getting a little overgrown in here but thankfully DOC still use the road for access to the tram-line for maintenance so having them driving on it helps to keep some of the growth in check.

Hidden treasures on forestry roads, Lake Mahinapua Scenic Reserve, West Coast, NZ

There is potential to get a bit lost on this section with a few Y intersections.  Basic rule of thumb for this ride is stay left so each time we come to a junction we just veer off to the left, eventually popping back onto the tram-line again and further up the forest trail.

The Walkway continues on and slowly descends around the side of a small hill dropping to lower lying land and crossing two creeks. Elevated board walks are used to cross this swampy area, which apparently floods regularly – can’t say I’ve ever seen that myself, we generally do this ride as a dry weather ride.

mountain biking the boardwalk, mahinapua tram-line walkway, West Coast, NZ

The board walks are quite long and meander nicely across the swamp.  The dogs take particular care on this section – not so keen on the feeling under foot.  After crossing the swamp the tram-line turns in a broad sweep to its destination; the site of the Mananui Sawmill that was started in 1885.  There are numerous relics left here on the sides of the track and DOC have also put up another couple of information boards to help fill us in on the history.

After leaving the mill the walkway crosses Mahināpua Creek and its swampy margins via a foot bridge and through a privately owned deer farm, before emerging on SH6 just north of Mananui bush.  The footbridge is as far as we go – no dogs allowed on the farm – fair enough, we’re just happy to be able to take them on the walkway.

Mahinapua tram-line and walkway, West Coast, NZ

Stephen gets a few photos from the footbridge (yes, I am the usual “model” for his photos – you’d think it was only ever me going bike riding but I assure you, Stephen is always here with me…..  We then head back to the sawmill site for our lunch stop.

We made our usual detour to stock up on lunch supplies before heading out on our adventure – to Do Duck Inn Bakery – ham knot and apple turnover – our compulsory mountain bike ride fuel.  YUM!!!

We relax amongst the sawmilling relics and read the information boards explaining the history of the sawmill, the type of trees etc.  DOC do a great job helping to make these walks interesting and informative.

lunch amongst the sawmilling relics, Mahinapua tram-line and walkway, West Coast, NZ

The dogs enjoy the break and wait in hope of a tit-bit from our lunch.  Sometimes they win sometimes they don’t – ok, who am I kidding, they always win!  There always seems to be a little bit of bun left from my knot…… and don’t they know it!

We’ve got a stunning day and although it was a bit chilly when we started it has certainly warmed up nicely now and nice to relax in the sun to eat our lunch.

Time to go again, and this track is an in and an out, so we head back off the way we came.  The track is ever so slightly an incline in each direction – a very gradual meander as we make our way back towards the boardwalk and back around the hillside.

Track to Picnic Point, Mahinapua Scenic Reserve and tram-line, West Coast, NZ

Eventually we are back in the Mahinapua Scenic Reserve and onto hard packed gravel to meet the junction of Picnic Point.  This time we leave the main trail and take the little detour up into the forest.  This is true blue forestry single track – loads of tree roots and sharp little inclines – gotta keep your balance and use some real mountain biking skills.  It is a fun little semi technical section.  Of course what goes up generally must come down and being named picnic point you’d assume you’re going to end up somewhere with views and to relax……

First though there is a small section of un-ridable downhill, very steep, rocky and tree roots all intermingled, so we leave our bikes at the top and negotiate our way down by foot.  It is only a short section and soon we are at the lakes edge.

Picnic Point, Lake Mahinapua, West Coast, NZ

From Picnic Point you can see right across Lake Mahinapua to the main camping and picnic spot off the main road.  The lake is a bit chopped up today but the dogs are happy to have a reprieve from the heat and jump into the water.  Ziggy typically finds a stick to play with and we have to play catch for a short while before heading back up to get our bikes and bike back out to the main track.

From here it is only a short fast ride back to the car park, ready to load up and head home in time for our afternoon checkins.  aaahhhh, another great day exploring some history of the West Coast – always a bonus when you can explore with your mountain bike.

Jan and Stephen run Breakers Boutique Accommodation 14kms north of Greymouth on the Punakaiki coastline, West Coast.  They are often out exploring the wonders of the West Coast so check out their activities page for further adventures and things to see and do.  Breakers is proudly rated #1 on Tripadvisor for B&Bs in the Greymouth area.

Mountain Bike Blast up the Bundy

Sun is out, washing is on the line so we’re off for a quick mountain bike ride before our guest arrivals – a blast up the Bundy.

The Bundy is in the back of Greymouth – Camerons, just south of the Greymouth township but before the Taramakau bridge heading south on SH6.  First stop Do Duck Inn Bakery for some fuel – wholemeal ham knott for now and an apple turnover as a reward for the end of the ride.

Ziggy and Nico are with us and ready and rearing to go.  We’re had rain overnight so hopefully this will make the track hard and fast……

Ziggy and Nico waiting on the Bundy single track, West Coast, NZ

First section is a grind, drop into a low gear and grind away up the rocky 4WD track and negotiate our way over loose boulders.  Made it – that gives the legs a good warm up.  Next 10 minutes or so is a gradual climb up to the ridge of the Bundy where we hit the single track.  It is true single track now.  Doesn’t look like anyone has been up here for a while – don’t know why.  If we lived closer it would be a “once a week” ride for sure!  There is heaps of growth with the last few weeks being really dry and then some rain over the last two days.  All the plants are in flower and the blackberry bushes, gorse and thistles are overgrown and determined to try to keep some skin……

mountain biking Bundy track, Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

It is beautiful up in the bush – the track meanders around the ridgeline amongst the trees and grass with occasional gullies to the left.  They are on the right also but you are a bit oblivious to those as they are hidden by the bush.

We join back up with the 4WD track – old logging roads as we’re now on the tops in the pine forestry block.  At the junction we make the decision to head down through the middle and climb back up Gordies Mistake – basically doing our usual ride in reverse.

Stephen heads off to enjoy the long downhill.  It swoops down and thanks to the recent rain, isn’t too loose in the rocks.  Jan stays back with the dogs keeping at their pace.  Fast enough – they like to think they can run fast with you – don’t like to be left behind.  Nico is gorgeous to follow – he is a big boy and he bounds down the hill with his butt bouncing from side to side – GORGEOUS!  Ziggy is our tail-end Charlie but only just!

Bundy mountain bike track, West Coast, NZ

We meet back up with Stephen at the bottom and head along a logging access road, meandering along the valley floor through plantation forest and native forest before starting our climb up Gordies Mistake.  Drop back into a low gear – this is going to be a grind.

Whew – what a grind it is today.  Don’t know if it is partially due to last night’s swim but the legs are suffering on this one – sounds like a good excuse so we’ll stick with it!  Seems to take much longer than either of us remember.  Course the dogs don’t have any problems at all bounding up the hill in 4 paw drive.  It is a 4WD logging road that isn’t really used much any more so a few boulders in places and loose rocks.  There are some short sharp steep sections as it meanders up the hill back to the ridgeline.  We plod along and eventually reach the tops with a short fun downhill to meet with the forestry access road again – the same one we junctioned on to head down the middle.  We then had an easy ride along the gravel road before meeting back up with the Bundy single track.

Blast on the Bundy mountain bike track, West Coast, NZ

It may be a little grind coming up but it is a great fun peddle to go back down.  Fast and flowy and thanks again to the recent rain, hard and fast today.  Have to remember to watch for the blackberry bush, thistles and gorse but otherwise it is a fun blast back to the car.

Loaded and ready to head for home – where is our reward – ah, yummy, apple turnover – perfect finish to a fun ride on the West Coast.

Jan and Stephen run Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki Coastline north of Greymouth.  Rated #1 on Tripadvisor for B&B accommodation in the Greymouth area. Check out their activities page for other mountain biking rides on the West Coast.

Visitors from the Deep South

My parents visited for the Christmas and New Year period.  They live in Invercargill and we only get to see each other once or twice a year so it was nice to have them here for a decent length of time.

The weather was perfect for their visit – mostly blue skies, sunshine and lovely warm temperatures.  We had one day when the rains came but they were a welcome relief from the summer heat and it was good to top up the water tanks as we rely on the rain water. We had contemplated an afternoon of exploration with a lunch stop at the Honey Junction Cafe at Kumara Junction but with the rain it ended up being a relaxing time – spending a little longer at the cafe that first thought!

Christmas Eve day we all relaxed out in the sunshine, reading our books with a short walk on the beach with the dogs before dinner.

Jan, Mum and Dad enjoying Xmas lunch in the sunshine, West Coast, NZ

Christmas day started with a champagne breakfast – we had international guests staying also from Sweden so it was nice to let them experience a Kiwi Christmas breakfast.  Once they had departed and their room was cleaned, Stephen and I headed into Greymouth to visit with Stephen’s Mum while Mum and Dad stayed home with the dogs and took them for a morning beach walk.  Once back home we all sat out in the gardens with a platter of nibbles and more champagne for our Christmas lunch.  It was lovely sitting out in the sunshine enjoying the sound of the Tasman sea in the background and the great coastal views.  Nice to be able to appreciate your own backyard.

We tried to send Mum and Dad on some fun adventures while they were here and incorporate learning some history of the West Coast.  First up was to Denniston for the Denniston Mine Experience.  Denniston is north of Westport, on SH67 heading towards Karamea.  They were booked on the 10am tour and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, afterwards spending time exploring the incline and brakehead, relics and information boards.

Mitchells gully goldmine, West Coast, NZ

On the drive back to us at Breakers, Mum and Dad stopped in at the Mitchells Gully Goldmine.  This is on SH6 between Charleston and Westport and is a fantastic little working goldmine with relics, tunnels and a bush walk.

Around the Globe Gold Mine Tour Reefton, West Coast, NZ

The other main adventure for the folks was to Reefton for the “Around the Globe” goldmine tour.  This is a current working goldmine – a quartz mine unlike the most of the gold mining on the West Coast which is alluvial.  Mum and Dad headed off after breakfast to meet with the midday tour and again it was early evening before they were home after doing some further exploration after the tour while they were in Reefton.

granddad & the boys enjoying the Nine Mile beach, West Coast NZ

Mum and Dad did get to do some sitting back and relaxing while they were here also – it wasn’t all out and about exploring.  As mentioned, we had predominately lovely weather so they were able to relax out in the sun and read their books as well as take the occasional walk along the beach.  The boys enjoyed having their “grandparents” here as they were taken for morning beach walks while Stephen and I did the breakfasts.  Dad tried a couple of mornings to get some fresh mussels off the rocks while the tide was out but they were neat tides and didn’t go out far enough to get to the decent mussel beds.  Will have to wait until the next visit.

Colls Dam historic gold mine area, Nelson Creek, West Coast NZ

The last adventure for their stay was out to Nelson Creek.  Nelson Creek is inland slightly from Greymouth, another area fill of gold mining history with some lovely bush walks following the old water races from the mining days.  Today it is a popular summer camping spot for many of the West Coast locals.  Stephen, Jan and the dogs went mountain biking up Kangaroo creek and the Noname valley while Mum and Dad took a drive up to the Haupiri valley before coming back and exploring the Colls Dam walk and tailrace walk at Nelson Creek.

sunset from the lookout seat at Breakers, West Coast NZ

During their stay, Mum and Dad were treated to some of the most spectacular sunsets.  Just enough cloud cover for the colours to come through once the sun had set.  We had one evening with no cloud – perfect conditions to see the green flash, but we all managed to forget and it had set before we remembered.  The rest of the evenings the sky was constantly changing from oranges, pinks and reds – they were stunning, even for us living here and experiencing some wonderful skies.

sun and sand, Nine Mile beach, West Coast, NZ

One more rest day ie no exploring just relaxing in the sunshine with a book – a little beach walk and then it was home time.  Dad had to get back to start work after the holiday break and it is a good 9 hour drive from Greymouth back down to Invercargill.  It was sad saying our goodbyes but we had a lovely time with Mum and Dad visiting our little slice of paradise and I think they enjoyed themselves…….

Jan and Stephen run Breaker Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki coastline, north of Greymouth.  Breakers is rated #1 on Tripadvisor for Greymouth Inns and Hotels.  Check out other blog postings of Jan and Stephen’s adventures or their activities page on their website for things to do in the area.

Mountain biking in the back blocks, West Coast style

Gosh, we are so lucky here on the West Coast – we have so many tracks and trails to choose from to mountain bike.  The hills are filled with forestry roads from the plantation forests, old logging roads from the native forests, gold mining trails and coal mining trails.  The choices are endless – just pick an area and go for it, there is bound to be something there.

gold claim, West Coast, NZ

Today we’ve off to the back of Greymouth again, behind Marsden and into the forestry and gold mining blocks.  There has been much logging over the last 10 years so many of the originally gold mining blocks are being reclaimed and re-mined while there is the access.  Reading an article in the local paper recently the figures show that the amount of land being prospected or mined in the region has grown from 91,308ha a decade ago to 168,074ha by November this year.  That is HUGE.  Apparently miners are poring over old maps and history books and when possible mining forestry land that once yielded gold.  Many of the forestry blocks have recently been felled allowing companies – and individuals a chance to mine the land before it is re-planted.  Exciting times and with the price of gold, it is certainly worth it!

Anyway back to our ride…….

So the area we are heading to, is a forestry block that has been felled and now being mined.  We’ve done this ride many times.  It is a nice 1.5hour loop – a good fun ride for both us and the dogs.  Now, today, in her wisdom, “someone” suggested we do the ride in reverse.  Sure, why not……… after 1/2 hour of constant climbing we soon wondered about that idea.

uphill mountain biking miner's trails and logging roads, West Coast, NZ

The ride starts with a very short, sharp rocky downhill to mosquito creek.  The idea to do the ride in reverse came about – apparently – for the sake of the dogs.  Yet another incredibly hot day and a certain “someone” thought starting out with the little creek crossing would be beneficial for the dogs.  As I say, sounded reasonable.  So, short, sharp downhill and then straight into the hill climb.  The first 15 minutes was quite tough, cold muscles complaining about what was happening, low gears as it was reasonably steep to start out the ride, loose, rocky – but challenging and that is what riding is all about – the challenge.  It is a really pretty area, lots of new growth in the grasses and wild flowers.

Summer colours, mountain biking West Coast, NZ

A little reprieve and then back into climbing again – not quite so steep for the next 15 minutes or so as it winds it way around the hillside.  The climbing’s not over yet though, another little reprieve and we’re climbing some more – but more like gravel forestry roads now – must be being used by the miners as not too overgrown yet after the loggers have finished.  Not loose gravel like the 4WD track, just gradually climbing up the hill.  There are lots of tree stumps and left over tree branches and logs on the side of the track.

mountain biking, Greymouth, West Coast, NZ

One more climb to go and this one is a little steep again – it isn’t particularly long through and after one last corner and one last short sharp incline we reach the junction.  I mention to Jan that we now know where to come when we need to do some hill climbing training.  It was fun and rewarding though.  Back into a short section of native forest and we start heading down through the logged area and where they are now gold mining. There is a little creek running off to the side of the road and this is a welcome reprieve for the dogs on this gorgeous summer’s afternoon.

Jan & Ziggy, mountain biking, West Coast, NZ

I ride ahead to enjoy the downhill leg while Jan stays back, riding a bit slower with the dogs.  They’d like to try to keep up with me but we prefer they take it a bit easier on the downhills, especially in this heat.

Onto Billy Goat Road and before heading down the last of the logging/mining access road, we take a little detour to view the gold mining area.  We’re back onto old logging roads and the track is covered in sticks and branches from the felling of the trees.  There are piles of deadwood off to the side and much of this is donated to local organisations and clubs from the Greymouth area, who chop and sell it as firewood to raise money for their various projects.  This is a great opportunity for the little communities.

Greymouth gold mine, West Coast, NZ

Our logging track ends and we leave the bikes and walk on the deadwood piles to look down on the gold mining area.    It is amazing to see how much more gravel they have moved since we were last here – making the most of the area before the replanting of the trees.  We can see our access road off in the distance – good another short little downhill coming up.

Back on track and the last section of our ride out to the road.  This is a nice gentle pedal after the short downhill section, meandering along the bottom of the gold mining area.  The boys are happy to finally just trot along, knowing the car is just around the corner and they have completed another adventure in the hills of Greymouth.

Stephen and Jan run Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Punakaiki Coastline, north of Greymouth.  They are happy to help with suggestions on things to see and do while visiting the West Coast.