Stage 2 started with the sad news that Rob would be leaving us. Apparantly he had woken up in the night with a very sore knee which appeared to not be getting any better. After a short test ride he decided that he wouldnt stay but might start with us again at Rangiora if things improved. In some ways he might have made the best decision as soon after starting it really began to pour - just as predicted. The weather got worse and worse with gusty winds and some of the heaviest rain I have ever ridden in. Thankfully with my new jacket I was not too cold and my mudguard was a good idea. We stopped at Berlins for lunch. I had made some sandwiches and bought a cup of tea - the rest fueled up on pies and coffee. I pity the next customer who sat in our seats and discovered their pants getting wet - thats if they didn't slip on the wet floor before that. When we went to leave the weather hadn't improved at all. It took a bit of time for a few of the boys to warm up and a couple of us were told to ease off the pace as the others were struggling - we had been too keen to try and escape the rain. By the Westport turn off the weather had eased and the rain stopped. Some of the guys were getting tired now but at least the weather had improved. We rode the undulating road to Punakaiki - sometimes in sunshine but often it was overcast. Eventually we made Punakaiki where Neil, Paul and I stopped for an icecream before continuing to our accommodation. The room is quite nice but there are no cooking facilities so I'm not sure what I'm going to do for breakfast tomorrow. - I wish I had bought my bowl with me now! Tomorrow we are off to Arthurs Pass which is about 160km away. It could be another wet day!
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