LONG CYCLE TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 10

LONG CYCLE TOUR

MAN AND TWO BOYS

WESTLAND TO CANTERBURY PEDALLING FOR 600 MILES An ambitious cycle tour through South Westland, over the Haast Pass to Central Otago and thence to Christ- | : church, has been completed by Mr. E, R. Williams, a teacher at the Westport Technical High School and a vicepresident of the Canterbury Moun. taineering Club, and two boys from the school, Alan Broad and Alister McLellan.

The party left Westport by cycle on May 9, and in two weeks pedalled 600 miles before joining a slow goods train at Studholme, by which they arrived at Christchurch on Saturday morning. They intend to return to the West Coast by train, and to cycle up the coast fyome. Mr. Williams said he had chosen a time of the year when good weather was expected, and those expectations had been realised. They h«d had a' splendid trip, which could be thoroughly recommended. The journey had been trouble-free, for there were no punctures and only adjustments to the brakes were required. A road ran through South Westland to Bruce Bay, where a track continued on over the Haast Pass to Makarora, where the road started. All roads and tracks wert found to be in splendid order for cycling, and made for a very enjoyable trip through magnificent bush teeming with bird life.

Throughout the tour the members of the part}' were fjilly equipped with tents, bedding and provisions, and were thus independent in the matter of shelter and meals, if necessary, although they spent some nights in huts by the roadside. Good time was made down the coast to the Cook River, which was found to be unfordable, but Mr. Williams and the boys were taken across the river in a dray. Bruce Bay was soon reached, and from that point onward the cyclists rode along a track through wonderful bush and frequently journeyed on at night by the light of acetylene lamps through memorable surroundings.

On reaching the Haast River they were taken to the other bank in a motor-boat, and then cycled up the Haast Valley, over the pass and thence to Makarora. The actual trip up the valley and over the pass occupied three days. Mr. Williams and the boys considered themselves very fortunate to have been able to cross all the rivers and streams, for at other times of the year they prove an insuperable barrier. From Makarora the trail led along the shores of Lake Wanaka, and by stages the cyclists journeyed through Central Otago, eventually arriving at Waimate and joining at Studholme.