Stumped... Not the first time, nor will it be the last, I am quite sure! :-)

I am just an amateur naturalist. Got a Zoology degree in '69 from Arizona State U but ended up retiring in 2008 as an explosives safety guy.

Never lost interest in nature, and as a cyclist with bad knees, my touring days are past, so I "scratch the itch" by following cycle tours and offering my limited knowledge that often helps find a good place to look.

Keep up the good work! Not many touring cyclists seem to notice nature, let alone make the effort to take a picture, and then to post it with limited time, limited energy and limited internet.

True. I wish I knew more of our native flora.

I looked at those too, but the leaves did not have the jagged edges to match the photo and most species had longer narrower leaves.

No harm in changing your plans.Stay safe & enjoying your adventures.

Okay, nice. It was outstanding scenery all day. I love mountain vegetation. Back home in our alpine we have beautiful flowers, scrub, and succulents.

Hi Bruce! Yes, the stairs are gone and there’s a series of gravel switchbacks right after that 2nd luxurious hut. The gravel bike loaded just doesn’t handle the same as a MTB and it was tough and just did not make any sense to ride. I enjoyed the walking because it was mostly gentle. I could have finished it in one day but would need to start at 6:30/7. I stopped around 8 and 20 km short.

Finally stumped you! 😎

I understand how you feel about OGR (I've ridden it three times). Huge credit to those that had the vision to build it. Not surprised about the parts you walked. Walked a few of those tight switchbacks myself. Did you not take a long flight of stairs? Curious, because I know they were building a new track around them. The downhill runs through forest are special. Great effort to come from Murchison and still get to Mokihinui Forks Hut. You have probably worked out that the only way to avoid sandflies is to keep riding.

We think it could be an NZ mountain daisy.

Could not find a good photo match in about 1 hour of searching...

It felt sturdy but I didn’t stop.

That’s exactly what I thought when I finished and got to camp. The ideal plan is to get a lift down to that car park and ride the opposite direction to me. Or get picked up there would be fine as well.

I know the OGR and Paporoa are going to be tough with the loaded bike. I’m going to overnight on the OGR so only tackle maybe 40 km the first day. I think that should help.

I’ll check out that other option to get back. I can’t stand that busy roads.

Thanks!🙏

I left that photo for you although I love all the different plants as well

Hi Andrew. Have done the St James going the other way on an unladen mtb. Way better experience. At least four years ago and had the same with finding our way over grassy stretches with evidence of very few other riders. The river crossing means they still haven’t replaced that bridge. I have a few thoughts about logistics of your changed itinerary. OGR and Paparoa are going to tough on a laden bike with no suspension. I assume you are going over Arthur’s Pass from Paparoa to Methven. I have ridden the Otira Gorge both ways on a racing bike with zero extra weight onboard. The climb up has a prolonged section of 16% and is not nice with the amount of traffic. Has anyone suggested the TransAlpine train from Moana to either Arthur’s Pass or Springfield? Hope the rest of the Rainbow went well. Take plenty of sandfly repellantforthe West Coast, especially the start of OGR. Cheers

Yikes