Andy's Tour Aotearoa blog

Muscles very stiff, so great to have a day off, but so much to do at home, its hardly a rest day!

A relatively easy day, and much nicer weather back to Wellington, a mere 127km with 1060m altitude gain. There was only one big hill - the Remutaka rail trail, about 350m of climbing - and lots of tailwind. Great to be home for a couple of rest days!

I left PN at 9am for a easier day to Mike and Lara's at Longbush in the Wairarapa - a mere 140km with 1250m of altitude gain. I was so knackered, though, that I only managed 18.8km/h despite easier terrain.  The first challenge was the climb over the Pahiatua track to the Wairarapa - and, indeed, I was caught in rain over the saddle. However, I'd ridden into sun by the time I reached Pahiatua, and it was a wonderfully warm day until I approached Masterton, when the temperature dropped and the sky became a leaden grey. So it was great to reach Mike and Lara's rural property, and receive some great hospitality for the night.

I didn't get up particularly early, and after leaving Fiona's house I went to the bike shop to get my front derailleur fixed (loose screw) before heading off. I decided to try and make it to Palmerston North due to the weather forecast - the following day was due to be wet west of the main divide, and I didn't fancy camping - so making it to a friend (Chris) in PN seemed a good idea. A tail wind helped, and the first 60km to Hunterville was all on road. Lunch at a lovely cafe there, then the difficult stuff - heading east to the edge of the Ruahine ranges, with lots of hills and gravel roads. The route took me to Rangiwahia, a village on a high plateau at the base of the Ruahines that I'd never even heard of, and felt like the back of beyond. A little further on the road switched back south-west to Apiti and on to Ashurst, through three deep gorges (with huge uphill climbs). The last 2 1/2 hours were in the dark- I didn't get to Chris's till 10,30pm ! I'

Set off at first light (of a really beautiful day) for what I'd been told was a really difficult track to the Bridge to Nowhere on the Whanganui river 40 km away. Four T.A cyclists had been helicoptered to hospital from here so far! The weather was great, and the track (back road and singletrack) was absolutely fine, a joy to ride with wonderful scenery - my favorite riding so far! There was a 500m climb before dropping  to the river, but I made to 40km in 4 hours, so had 90 mins spare before the jet boat to Pipiriki. After lunch at the jet boat office/cafe place, I left the other cyclists (who'd decided to stay there) for the 80km cycle to Wanganui along the Wanagnui river road. Finally I felt fit and strong and averaged 20km/h to reach the house of a friend (Fiona Shaw) before dark.

Strava Stats : I had a 1/2 day off with Chris and Kris in Horopito, and checked my stoat traps in the bush (2 rats caught!). The weather was a bit grim, so I wasn't looking forward to cycling. A moist south east gale was blowing, and had blown a branch from a neighbour's Eucalyptus tree through our roof overnight.   In the afternoon Chris took me back to Owhango - as we entered the rain shadow of Ruapehu the weather fined up, and I had a lovely sunny (if windy) mostly downhill cycle 40km to the Blue Duck cafe at Whakahoro. I stayed in the DOC bunkroom next door, but enjoyed a beautiful meal at the cafe (along with fellow cyclists Matt, Chris, Tim and Jason) of wild (locally shot) goat curry.  Sadly, a large school group arrived at the DOC campground, so I didn't have a altogether peaceful night.