Monday 18th July 2011 Nelson to Havelock 75km

Our second last ride on the South Island and a very tough but rewarding one.  We had a 7 km climb up the Whangania Saddle which was very steep and twisting, and we kept having to dodge big logging trucks.  Just before we reached to top we pulled over into a shaded siding to take a rest and the surface was coated with black ice.  It was like an ice rink and just as well we had slowed down to stop, or we would have done some spectacular stunt riding.  One the way down the other side Ash cracked 60kph.
After that we had another big climb over the Rai Saddle which was almost as tough.  The final 34 km however to Havelock were downhill and most enjoyable, as we followed the Pelorus River.