Very wet verging on cold cycling in to driving head winds all the way to Hokitika from Harihari. Riding as a pair helped with drafting and moral support.
Stopping for a rest and coffee in Ross we were happy to find a fire to warm by.
The warmth was quickly interrupted by American backpackers who came in from their car claiming to be frozen and in need of standing directly in front of the fire and blocking the heat. The move did not go down well with two soaking wet cyclists.
As if to draw more attention to their dire plight one if the group stated "I wished I were cycling around". The offer to trade bicycle for car keys for the remain kilometres went I accepted and the backpackers plodded off

The ride to Hokitika was eventually completed and "warmshowers" host Kevin Pierce took two wet tourers in to his home for the night.

Drier the next day on to Greymouth for Neil and Barrytown for me was uneventful barring 2 punctures. Barrytown would have its own surprises