Pleasant Flat to Makarora

After our sandfly ordeal we packed as fast as we could...or did you think those bastards would take the day off? Noooo....they were eagerly waiting for more blood. We got started at 10.15 this morning, fearing the worst. The first 5 km were easy cycling in fine drizzle. After that, the road started climbing a bit steeper until we got to the Gates of Haast Pass Bridge. It is absolutely fabulous to cycle over the bridge and it is seriously impressive among these mountains, still covered in snow. As soon as we got over the bridge, the road becomes so steep...we tried for about 500 metres but we had to stop. Campervans struggled to get up the hill and we walked our bikes up. I tried to cycle now and then, doing 100 metres to then stop again until I got some advantage on Vanessa. I walked back and helped her push the bike up. After 2 km the gradient becomes feasible again and for the next 10 km or so we were doing pretty well. Another ridiculously steep section of 1,5 km, however, got our legs shaking again but we managed to cycle the whole way. After that, the road flattens out and becomes an easy climb to the Haast Pass. We did it! The whole ascent is through incredibly spectacular scenery. The descent was fabulous, through beautiful forest.

We had lunch at Cameron Flat and continued to Makaroa, now through heavy rain. In Makarao we got ourselves a cabin where we are now, enjoying a cold beer and a sandfly free environment. Cheers!!