TA day 21: Reefton to Ikamatua
Distance 57km, Elevation Gain 1091m
Despite pessimistic weather forecasts, the day dawned misty but dry, and Big River & Waiuta track was on! After a cracking breakfast, we set forth up Soldiers Rd and into the old Big River Goldfields, a gravel road initially, then a gnarly 4WD track, hugely enjoyable for one of us! Eventually, we reached Big River Hut, just in time for lunch. Then on to the Waiuta track, even gnarlier! First few kms challenging but rideable, but then after a steep push up a creek bed, it became unrideable (for us mere mortals!) so it was hike-a-bike for a good few kms, a pleasant change after the previous 20 days! A fresh slip provided an unwelcome challenge as we (Andy) manhandled the bikes over and across a 2m deep gash in the track. Thankfully, we regained more sensible biking terrain, and enjoyed flowy single-track heaven all the way to the gold ghost town of Waiuta. Thereafter a wonderful 7km of gravel road downhill, then onto tarseal for another 7km, before rejoining SH7 for the 3km roll into Ikamatua and our lodgings for the evening!
Andy writes: Today I took my bike for a walk. Not just a walk to the shops, oh no, a walk to hell and back! Why would anyone want to cycle up the nastiest boulder strewn, rocky, moss covered, wet barely a tramping track and then want to walk down the other side in even more treacherous conditions including a major slip and call that mountain biking or even bike packing. Ridiculous! Seven hours to walk, bike 37k!
I noted that many opted for the 26k highway ride to Ikamatua and on to Greymouth. I’m a muppet for not following them. Oh no we decided to bike walk 57k to get to the same destination in 8.5 hours! Somehow I’m meant to say in the future “Well I’ve ridden Big River track” but most people I know wouldn’t give a toss. I’m a highway man!
