Launching the blog!

Just setting up my blog site in preparation for the Tour Aotearoa, which I start on March 8th

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Day 13 - Friday 20th Feb: Palmerston Nth to Longbush

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.
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Day 12 - Thursday March 19th, Wanganui to Palmerston North

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...
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