Forty riders gathered at the Durie Hill Memorial Tower after sun-up. While there had been some rain overnight, none fell as the usual chatter and checking-out of bike set-ups ensued. Pleasingly, there had been the chance to catch-up with many familiar faces, and some new ones, the previous night – the morning of was a bit more subdued. Shortly after quarter-to-seven we were off east.
Start photo from Fay – the reason we had such an exciting ride to look forward to.
In what now seems to be my standard approach, I waited until the mad rush had subsided and pootled off. Feeling pretty flat, I was in no hurry across this section – which I’d ridden last on the TA, seemingly an age ago. I was soon riding by myself into the nagging wind for the hour before we turned north up the Whangaehu Valley. This section was new to me and I enjoyed the gradual ascent on quiet rural roads. Brent and I eventually caught up to Rachel and Gina, and our little group bimbled on. I was feeling pretty rough all day, so I was pleased for the company. As my body worked to replace the bag of blood taken the previous day, it was all I could do to keep supplying it with much food and many fluids – not much of a hardship really, but a bit of a time-suck. It was manageable, but I was hardly bursting with energy and just felt off all day.
The Burma Hill provided a steep challenge as the morning warmed. Satisfyingly, I could still climb – albeit slowly.
Big snack, sunscreen and regrouping stop at the top. The signs say it all.
Dropping back to the river, the steady gradient increased as we got up on the plateau. Things started to look more familiar as we soon joined the route I took across the island on my double traverse last year. The fifteen kilometre run into Ohakune was fast (half highway, half backroad) as we turned with the sou-easter.
Rangataua provided some surprise.
Serendipitous.
I was adamant I needed to go all the way into town, the five extra kilometres worth it for a big refuel and replacing all the snacks I’d devoured. The kebab was huge, and maybe not the best option – sitting rather heavily – but the berry smoothie went down a treat, as it was warm out.
Perhaps we’re doing gear-carrying wrong.
We four regrouped somewhere on the Old Coach Road; perhaps in a sign of how out of sorts I was, details are hazy. But I do remember we all suffered with full bellies on the the bumpy, practically-cobbled trail with big lumpy rocks. The third time in the last two years, it’s still a fascinating trail with the native bush and some significant NZ engineering history too.
Maybe it was because I’d seen much of the day’s route before, but another sure sign that the whole day had been a struggle was that I’d taken very few photos. Just focussing on keeping on was enough – I was confident that I’d be back to some sort of normal the following day, I just had to make it that far and not pull out of the ride before then. Decision time loomed at Horopito, where Gina and Rachel had a B&B organised. As tempting as calling it a day there was, it was only 135 kilometres in – a bit short to keep on our five-day plan. Thankfully, the next thirty kilometres were basically free – a big downhill and a very helpful tailwind.
Another big snack break and topping up of bottles before saying goodbyes, we rolled out for a lovely evening’s ride to Ruatiti Domain. The road predominantly sealed, it was easy going. A sudden cloudburst had me sheltering in the porch of an abandoned house, but that didn’t last long and it was warm enough that riding in the resulting drizzle didn’t require a jacket. I was pleased we were not thirty kilometres ahead dealing with rain on the notoriously sloppy Kaiwhakauka Trail.
Crossing the Maunganuioteao at the end of the day.
The domain was a delight by the river (sweet swimming hole!) – we scoped it top out and found it basically empty. Further down we found a lone Renegade – Happy had set up his tent in a stand of manuka, we made camp nearby and shared stories of the day. It had been a tough one for me – I don’t think I’ve felt so rubbish for a whole day on a bike. Sure, there are usually highs and lows – I’d certainly had lower lows, but not consistently like this. Thankfully the riding was kind and not very hilly, I’d put in a reasonable day, not blown up and in the morning would see how I felt about tackling a more remote and tougher section of the route.
Drying dags, I’m told.
Fergus checking accuracy; spot on he reckons.
Hard to fathom just how many people have worked in here over many decades shearing who knows how many sheep!
A once familiar sight, I’ve not seen a Zip like this for a while; never have I seen an apparently internet-enabled one.
Definitely the native timber look in here.
Belt driven and still in service.
Into another farm, the fourth I think – I stopped bothering to count shortly after.
Not a lot of rider colour to work with, but I like to think the scenery is the main attraction anyway.
Fergus, Andrew’s son, just playing on a rock. A casual trackstand, his lightly loaded trail bike looked a lot more fun…most of the time. This time I wasn’t the youngest!
Suddenly, the beach turned to smooth, dense white rocks for a short time. We lingered as paua were collected.
The hills closing in on the coast, the riding became noticeably less flat.
Windswept – always like to see trees growing like that, even if it can make for challenging riding (not this time).
Fascinating layers in the uplift and a sweet spot for a little bach with its own little harbour and boat ramp.
West, looking past Rerewhakaaitu, over Martinborough and there is still snow on the Rimutakas from the previous week’s weather.
Gerard, Fergus and I scouted for a lunch spot, found this spectacular place – and then decided it was too early for lunch.
Another push to get up onto the track seen two photos above. With our lingering, the rest of the group wasn’t too far behind – spot two of them here.
The necessity of the reroute became obvious here.
Still scouting for a lunch spot.
Found one!
Not moving.
Quite large, these ones did disperse.
Over to Cape Palliser, and the last significant off road section of the day.
Getting out of White Rock Station involved fording the Opouawe River. Most crossed where it branched into four distinct flows – all rideable, albeit hub deep.
Andrew heading for the end of White Rock Road (which for me is forever associated with fifty kilometres straight into a strong northerly) and the last farm section – Ngapotiki Station.
Strung out approaching the gate of doom – no longer needs that moniker in my mind. White Rock visible across the bay. Te Kaukau Point on the right.
Quite a change, this bit too loose to ride.
Off the shingle slip was great fun, strange to see other bike tracks after the rest of the route. 
There it is. More than a speck now.
Happy with that section as it mellowed out!
Why not give the legs a different work out?
Back to gravel road.
Andrew leading us south from Riversdale beach.
I’ll take this for a Friday afternoon.
A little bit of dune riding and pushing when the coast became impassable.
With the tide ebbing, the sand was mostly firm enough to ride – but not always.
Leaving the coast at Uruti Point, we struck inland ever so slightly.
A brief pause to regroup and determine how far to the first farm entrance.
Into the first farm; thanks to Andrew’s hard work we could guiltlessly ignore variations of signs like these all down the coast.
Our escort just before leaving us – the route through to the next farm having just been explained.
Soggy! Very fortunate with the weather as most of the week had been wet and cold; for the most part, things had dried out nicely and peanut butter mud had gone.
Exiting at the farm at the buildings, all manner of machinery had to be negotiated – this about the smallest of it.
Somehow we came away with a bag of lambs’ tails (whether that’s good or poor timing with docking…) for the townies’ culinary education.
Twenty minutes down the coast to the shearers’ quarters and our digs for the night.
Soon, an old bed frame was found, a fire roaring and the lambs’ tails set to cook.
Loo with a view.
This didn’t get fired up.