An 80% riding, rest of it walking day. 

Spectacular start with wide tracks running beside the water race.

The path itself follows an historic power station water race as it twists and turns along the edge of a scenic reserve.

All in all, absolutely stunning. 

The DoC website states: This track is also suitable for mountain biking and is part of the West Coast Wildnerness Trail. The stretch between The Landing and Ward Road is easy mountain biking, while the remaining section is more suitable for intermediate/advanced bikers.

Yes DoC, in this instance, you are correct.

On this track, as opposed to the other two days, I did have time to think about one of the things I love about being in New Zealand.

There are NO snakes.

I don’t have to stomp around or worry what might be on the track ahead.

To me, thats an absolute bonus.

My kids laugh and ask how many times have I actually seen a snake.

Well there was that one poised to strike but mesmerised by the light. The one that was looking in through the sliding doors of the kitchen in our newly built home. In suburbia.

He may have had a short life. 

Then there was that big fat juicy one the next day on the road out front. The power company guy was repeatedly running over it with his car, while it tried to make its way across to the houses on our side of the street. The constant car tyres on its back just made it angry I’m guessing. Fortunately it changed directions and headed back from whence it came. The paddock across the road. 

So, boys, yes I have seen a snake or two and I have never gotten over them.

Mind you, I am pretty sure my initial fear comes from a father who thought it was funny to terrorise me with snake stories when I was younger.

But back to my story of Lake Kaniere Water Race. 

It’s a 9.9km track (one way) and it took us about an hour and a half. 

There are a few stairs to navigate but it’s a fairly well maintained track. 

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A track I admit I did enjoy. 

And we did see this little guy which I thought was amazing. He wandered out of the bush and just came right up to us.

When we got to the bottom we noticed ‘intermediate’ had been scratched out of the sign leaving ‘advanced’. 

By this time, being the advanced mountain biker I now am, I laughed and laughed and laughed…..