What a difference a day makes

Murchison to Springs Junction
81km (1269m altitude gained)
Our biggest day yet, including the daunting Maruia Saddle... Going to SJ as no accommodation available at Maruia, but makes for a short day tomorrow. Two quarter-pounders with cheese and salad last night set us up so well we skipped brekkie and hit the road just before 8.
The ride up the Matakitaki valley is a 30km steady climb, just like Tadmore Valley... Except this time there wàs no wind! A lovely morning ride, with the occasional gut-busting climb out of side valleys: one such got an encore from me after Marg left her gloves at the photo stop for the old Six-Mile powerhouse. 
Further on, as we were taking a refreshment break, a Landy with an eMTB on the back stopped; the driver's 'thing' was to ride over the saddle and back; coincidentally he'd been in the next unit at the Murch motel and we had a little chat about the TA and our plans. 
Matakitaki River is crossed by an old bridge where it passes through a very picturesque gorge, and shortly after the 7km climb to the saddle is heralded by sign warning 4WD is advised; we're 75% short, but what the hell!
The road's not in as good condition as the Braeburn yesterday with lots of new, loose gravel in sections. Still not too tough: settle into a cadence in second or third gear and hit the Eco power button when the knees start to burn... Reached the summit perfectly in time for lunch and a rest. The Landy man appeared back from the other side just as we finished and we had a long chat about Mangatapu and our plans for Big River. Rod (for that is his name) is heading from Reefton to Greymouth tomorrow afternoon and offered to take our excess gear to Ikamatua if we can coordinate the timing. Result!!
The descent was again a rougher version of Braeburn, through beautiful beech forest growing from oppulent cushions of moss. I'm g-g-glad I've l-l-learned to l-l-look at where I want to go, not at what I want to av-o-id!
SH65 was a bit of a blast at first, then a bit of an up and down climb to Maruia's closed Cafe and full motel. Onto West Bank Road, and back to a gentle climb on seal, then gravel, for 14km. The sawtooth climbs beckoning at the end of the arrow-straight road were not so much a sting in the tail as a series of gnat bites spoiling an evening dining on the deck. 
Into Springs Junction to catch the GAS station open, to buy an ice cream and a few pies for dinner: the motel and Cafe is closed, for staff annual holidays according to the sign! To our accommodation, a sleep-out with an outside loo and no bathroom. But still better than a tent... From the sublime to the ridiculous, or vice versa depending on your attitude to price!

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