With a question coming in about biking up to Tiwhanui, I realised that I’d not written about riding to and through my favourite Hawke’s Bay views. It was also a timely reminder that I wanted to ride up there again, and soon – before it gets too hot. Only four riders on last year’s HBAT got so far as to see these views that I seem to rave about, so I was keen to share them a bit more widely.

To my surprise, twelve others assembled at Tutira for the hilly loop. A mixture of familiar and new faces, twas great to see them all. Ridgemount Road doesn’t mess around and gets straight into a stiff climb; repair of a leaking tyre gave us a big rest halfway up the first section. A stunning spring morning was certainly on the warm side as the climb continued. A larger group than I’m used to riding in didn’t spread all that much as we spun up the traction seal – amongst all the gravel, a sure sign the road was steeper than most.

Up around five hundred metres above the ocean, the views opened up in all directions – here looking north, the Mohaka’s outflow visible.

With a steep drop and short sharp climb, I had a bit of time alone trying to catch John way out in front (26″ wheels proving difficult to catch).

Heading into the farm section was a useful time to regroup and have a go at playing ride-leader. No one got lost and ended up down at sea level, so I’m taking that as a win. With a disturbing lack of spring growth, the farm track was firm and undulating along the ridge as we made our way through lambs, sheep, and a few cattle. Frequent gates meant regular bunching up, which certainly helped on keeping a handle on where everyone was.

Trying to ignore the plumes from work in the distance was easy enough with the immediate scenery in the forefront of one’s mind.

Nearing the trig, the track gets properly close to the cliffs. What I like most of this route is being at the top of cliffs four hundred metres high, yet so very close to the Pacific. The views all around Hawke Bay and across the hills I’ve come to know well the last few years are spectacular, and far more than my photography skills are up to capturing well.

Very still and most pleasant for a long lunch stop at the trig, admiring the views and enjoying the company.

The rapid descent through three hundred metres to the farm entrance was as steep as anything we’d climbed all day and such fun to rip down. More regrouping before the undulating Waikare Road out to the highway; mercifully the traffic was light for the short section up to Matahorua Road and one big climb on the loop around back to the cars.

What a fun summery day showing a group much larger than I was expecting a few more of my favourite Hawke’s Bay discoveries.