A weekend riding in the Wairarapa

Angela and Andrew plus support crew
22-23 June 2013

An enthusiastic southerly had given Wellington a bit of a beating so what better time to get away from the storm damage for a couple of days?  Also I made a promise to my knees to lay off the hills for a weekend or two. 

At 8am it looks pretty horrible out; there's still a bit of wag in the tail of the storm and it is cold. Rather than leave us to catch the train to Upper Hutt, Mike good naturedly agrees to drop us out to Maymorn via a certain fast-food chain for breakfast.

Out of the car it's cold and wet but there's not much wind.  Mist is smoking through the pines and there is a distant thrum in the air.  The noise builds until somewhere out of sight the Wairarapa train emerges from the long tunnel and rounds the corner.  It's just about empty but there are a few curious passengers that glance out at the wet landscape and the pair of bikers dressed for the cold.

We are away by 9am and head up to the first tunnel.  The surface is good which is lucky as we have both left our road slicks on.  The wind is behind so it is pleasant riding despite the rain.  There are also few people about although a few minutes after passing through the Kaitoke car park we see a chap being dragged on a buggy by a couple of dogs then two women so wrapped up just their noses are showing.

There is a bit of storm damage but nothing serious, just branches and a few rocks on the track.  We take a short stop for a photo at the Summit.

Bedraggled but cheerful at the top

The normally small trickle across the track before the top tunnel looks the same but has carved an interestingly deep channel which just about sees Andrew into the track.  Through the tunnel the steeper descent has more water damage but again, nothing dramatic.  The stream in the gully at Siberia is up and has washed away parts of the track but we ford it without any trouble.

A few goats get a bit of exercise as they rocket ahead down the track but we don't see anyone until a couple and a lone man with dogs coming along the delightful single track before reaching the car-park around 11:15.

We get a couple of K towards Featherston before the support crew arrive with hot soup, road bikes and the necessary kit.  A giant old Macracapa provides shelter from the rain while we change and try to warm up.  All too soon its back in the saddle and onwards in the rain which stays reasonably constant and cold, occasionally getting heavy but what wind there is is mostly from behind.

There's a lot less traffic when we turn left at Martinborough and head towards Ponatahi.  The road is not too hilly but it seems to get colder and the rain heavier so it is very good to see Mike in the support car with more hot soup.  The support contingent has settled into the Solway and are enjoying the café and heated swimming pool.  We stand in the cold rain wrapping ourselves around the hot cups and trying to ignore the weather.  Somewhere on the nearby hill is the Wairarapa Stonehenge.

After one low rise the road is flat all the way now, it's just a question of enduring those long straights.  But at last we turn onto SH2 and the last few Kms to Masterton arriving at 2.45.

We both discover that we have wicked cold rash and it takes a considerable time in a hot bath to thaw out. 

The hotel has something for everyone; café, swimming pool, air hockey, pool even a golf driving range but I'm more interested in a snooze before dinner.  Aidan and Janne have joined us so it's a social affair made more entertaining by watching participants turning up for a local school's ball.  Vehicles vary from trucks and muscle cars to a tractor and a fire engine.

After a generous and good value dinner we watch the All Blacks just beat France and turn in.

Sunday

After a big breakfast we kit up for a late start.  There's a light southerly and although cold it could be clearing to the east.  We head off towards Gladstone and the back road to Martinborough.

The sun breaks out for longer periods and it's an enjoyable ride through pretty country.  Eventually we reach bell tea corner and as we stare off the bridge at the swollen stream, the support crew turns up.  Today we don't need soup so after a chat we head off for the last 13k to Martinborough.  And into the rain.

The rain is just clearing when we pass through road works just before Martinborough which ensure the bikes are thoroughly filthy.  At the wine centre we hope the muddy roster tails up our backs are not too obvious as we tuck into more good food.

Angela elects to join the support crew in the car whilst Andrew decides for a pick up in Featherston after a few more Km and another shower or two.  In Featherston the car is loaded with four bikes and five people for the trip home. 

Review

The incline is always good although the weather was a bit of a challenge this time.  Starting at Maymorn is a good option giving a longer ride (about 26 instead of 17K).  The roads we took out of and into Martinborough were good riding with relatively little traffic.  We will be back as there's plenty of scope for short or long loops.   Overall it wasn't a long ride but a very successful piece of research.