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Rejoining the main road the four of us lit out for Ngawi to catch the others before heading out to the lighthouse at Cape Palliser.
The light shines from an 18 metre-high white metal tower painted with distinctive red bands, and is 78 metres above sea level. It flashes twice every 20 seconds, and can be seen for 26 nautical miles (48 kilometres). The light was lit for the first time on 27 October 1897 and, before steps were built in 1912, the keepers would have to walk up the 58 metre diffusing an old dirt track -a dangerous task, especially in stormy weather. Oil and kerosene were hauled up the cliff face to the light station on a railway using a hand winch.In 1954 the light was converted from oil to diesel-generated electricity, and in 1967 it was connected to mains electricity. There is a diesel-electric generator for standby emergency power. The light was automated in 1986 and the keepers withdrawn. It is now monitored electronically from Wellington.Onto private property now, and we’re heading over towards White Rock. The last time I rode this piece of coast - in reverse direction to today – was on the last Pukemanu Adventure Ride, sometime in 2006 I think. Anyway, I knew what we were in for; tight rutted tracks for a short while, massive shingle scree to get across followed by a tight, rocky track around up over the bluff with a very steep descent to the first of the locked gates. The key to the whole thing was momentum, so I headed off third in line and basically didn’t stop until I was over the scree.
Four of us waited for a while. We didn’t know at the time but Dave had punctured the sump on his DR. Fortunately someone was carrying metal putty so he was able to make repairs and continue. We had a time limit to get to the boundary gate so elected to keep going to make sure the gate was open when the others, who’d kindly stopped to help Dave, made it through.Mark on the KLR
Gerard and Jim on the big GSs
It really is like a giant lunar landscape
I’d forgotten just how steep the climb over the bluff and descent was. Fortunately no serious problems although Eddie got a bit tangled.
This gives you a bit of an idea how steep it is. The original paper road is now under the bay.
From there it was around 50kms of gravel and twist sealed roads back to Martinborough for lunch. A great way to spend a Saturday with some good guys to ride with - and I got homHere are a few more photos courtesy of my mate Jim Glover.Crossing the crevasse left from the washout meant a few strategically placed helping hands - just in case. Fortunately they were not required at this point in time 😎
It got better going downhill but you still had to take it carefully.
It did seem to go on for a while 😛
………. and of course the rocks just got bigger the closer you got to the sea 😮
Good fun though 😀Some resorted to the bush to find a way around.
Others tackled it head on ………….
….building a road!!
Either route, everyone got over this as well. GVB shows some style. Just great how everyone was helping each other out. What a team.
After all that lot, a poxy wee gate isn’t getting in the way.
From there, it’s coasting. Fantastic views and a few braided river crossings.
Pete and I left the boys to it in Martinborough wishing them good luck with the Makiro track the next day.
