Taupo Enduro

1.00am on a side street in Taupo ... A gaggle of riders grows to a bunch and finally a throng but never quite a horde. All up, from 100 registered for the enduro; 95 start and 80 finish (5 presumably took one look at the forecast and stayed in bed; but no-one ever mentioned what happened to the other 15).

1am: is it breakfast or a midnight snack?

The organisers have you at the starting line in plenty of time to stand around contemplating how much you wish you hadn't missed that last 250km training ride and what a large number 320 is, however, no point fretting now.  The night is mild and the wind, which every knows is going to come, is for now quiet.  Retina-burning bike lights and flouro banish any night sight you might have had.

Get ready

Get set

Go (to the start)

Iona's friend Helen and riding companion Avril are in the starting grid and we chat briefly, the only other familiar face is Craig from tramping club.  He is not riding this year due to broken ribs and other injuries sustained after hitting a wombat (man can they fight when cornered).

After a cursory (and mostly patently obvious) safety briefing, the man with the hooter blows a blast and the field sets off with a clatter of shoes clipping into pedals.  Nervous energy is at last transformed into kinetic energy for the crucial first few kilometres where you have to make sure you get in the right bunch.

Rolling the clock back

It's hard to say when the idea first took form that two laps of the lake were even remotely feasible.  In retrospect it was probably the thought of doing a brevet and consequent to that; the realisation that in order to even contemplate such exertion I had better be able to knock off a solid day's road riding.

Angela had got a bit of a taste for road riding by then and didn't need any encouragement to sign up for a lap.  Richard was initially up for a double but then the reality of operating a family, a job, several voluntary commitments and a home brew empire saw him also committing to a single.  One more possible starter fell at the first hurdle but nevertheless we had our team and a house in Taupo booked.

I didn't tell many people that once wasn't going to be enough this year.  After all, if I failed to even complete the training it would be a little embarrassing.  Consequently, Angela was somewhat surprised on the Friday afternoon in Taupo that a) I was trying to get to bed by 6pm, and b) that this was because my start group was at a heinously early hour and c) that this was in order to fit in two laps.  And she thought my training rides were mad.

Anyway, long story short ... lots of training, many punctures, more chafe than you can shake a tub of vasoline at ... yahdee yahdee yah ... Fast forward to ...

Lap One

The throng of bikes whoosh out of Redoubt Street and down the hill to the bottom of the first wee climb.  At this point the tactics are: keep the pace up, get in a good bunch then stick with them as long as possible; drop to a slower bunch if the pace is too fast but, please god, not a solo first lap because that will be slow and burn too much energy.

Far ahead, a small bunch of lights disappear into the night marking the tails of the superhuman contingent.  No point trying to catch them.  A wee plug of effort and I pull in with a bunch and soon more riders join.  We end up with 20 or so pretty much for the entire lap including a tandem.

The night is pitch black with a occasional spats of drizzle.  Some of the smarter riders have their support crew stopping at regular points to replace their bottles.  Otherwise there is little to mark the passing kilometres.  The ride truncates into glimpses of familiar landmarks and the back wheel of the bike in front.  Down hills are somewhat exciting; roaring down in close formation with limited visibility and hoping nothing appears on the road in front of your wheel.

Every now and then a lone pink capped cyclist appears out of the gloom.  These are the four lap maxi riders and we pay them appropriate homage as we pass.

On the downs and the flats the tandem whistles off with riders trying to catch the wheel before the pack reels them back in on the next hill.  It provides a focal point for the group and is never far from the front.

It's still pitch black as the group climbs Kuratau hill - looking back from the top there is a string of brilliant cycle lights marking the line of the road.  At Waihi hill the front of the pack gets ahead and I have the presence of mind to put in the effort to make sure I catch a group on the flat straight to Tokanu.  Only a bit over 200km to go.

The new bike light is doing a sterling job on the lowest setting but the indicator light has gone from green to blue; whatever that means.  Still it's not red which would probably be bad.  In any event I am carrying a head torch that will work perfectly well (in the end the main light holds out fine with daylight catching us long before Hatepe hill).

Coming up the lake the wind has got up, buffeting us from the side (west) and the early light catches white caps on the lake.  An Aussie pulls up beside and says what I am thinking - the next lap might be a bit tough.

The pack is circulating well and I take my turns at the front.  But coming up Hatepe Hill I realise, almost too late, that it has started to separate and once more a bit of effort is required to catch the front group just as they are pulling away at the top.  For now it doesn't bear thinking about what it will feel like coming up here after another 160km.

The traditional head wind greets us on the way down the hill but at the back of the pack I tuck in away from the worst of it.  From here to Taupo the wind is boisterous but the bunch clips along before being decimated as a few of us peel off to replenish supplies/ go for a wee etc in the town.

Our accommodation is ideally situated just off the water front and it's a startled Sally that sees me pull in about 0620 (about 4hr 45 after starting and 45 minutes before she was expecting me).  Allowing another 5 minutes to reach the end of the lap this is almost 20 minutes faster than my best single lap; I don't think about what this says about the foolishness of over doing it on the first time round.

Angela and Iona have already left on their lap and Richard is just getting ready to think about sauntering down to the start line.  We compare notes as I cram a banana in and Sally does the pit crew thing (strip lights off the bike, replenish goody bag and water bottles, supply sunscreen etc).

Pit stop; counting the bike

And he's off (again)

It's a grey windy morning as I zigzag through town to avoid the starters on the main street and get to the start of ...

Lap two

Amongst the bikes cruising the streets I spot a lone enduro cap and catch him on the edge of town in the hope we can team up.  He must be tuckered after the first lap though as he drops behind on the rise out of Taupo.  Half way up, there is a roar from behind as the elite riders scream past up the hill.  They are absolutely flying and the sound of their tyres on the road is fearsome.  As they disappear in a twinkling of lycra clad bums, a green cap rider (8 laps) comes into view toiling up the hill.  He looks at me with wide eyes as I pass and says "F*** that was scary!"  Given that he has probably been hallucinating for the last two days that's really saying something.

The trip west across the top of the lake is hellish.  It's a strong head wind and the only riders in sight are group 9 (sort of like group W if you are familiar with Arlo Guthrie).  I catch up with four enduros; two team up for a while but when it dawns that they have been letting me lead for longer than is polite, I look back and realise they have dropped off some time ago.

The tail end of the group W riders are a sad but admirable bunch.  The first stragglers are mostly well padded and I wonder at the woman pushing her bike up a gentle rise after less than 20km.  Surely they wont be finishing within the cut off time but at the same time how incredibly brave to try.  Then there are the two people on unicycles and one on a penny farthing; they are making reasonable progress though and look like they are aware of what they are in for.

Around the first relay interchange (40ish K) the main race route rejoins the road I am on.  I'm hoping that there will be some of the early bunches coming through and if I can just catch one of those ...

The first bunch whistles around the corner when I'm about 100m away and disappears off up the hill - Bugger!!  I carry on alone whipping past increasingly spritely group W riders.

It's a long while before the next group comes through and I manage to catch their tail.  Things are looking up now but I have spent a lot of energy fighting the wind on my own.  After awhile I drop to the back and then let them get ahead.  A while later another group comes along and I hold them for a good distance, finally being spat out the back just before Kuratau hill.  It's very dispiriting to see 50 to 100 bikes riding away and not a damn thing you can do about it.

From then on it's pretty much solo, occasionally a pair and every now and then a bunch that I can hold onto for a few kilometres.

Finally it's the second drop down Waihi hill with no-one to get in the way and the utter relief of knowing that the worst of the hills are done with.  A passing single lapper gives a couple of kilometres respite but I drop off when I realise that I wont be able to share the lead.  It would be a bit rude to just be a leech.  

Another single lapper catches up and draughts me into Turangi and onto SH 1.  After a bit I get fed up and pull to the side and slow so that he has to take the front.  He gets the hint and we swap the lead for the next 15km.  Just as I'm about to drop behind a bunch catches and keeps things ticking along for a bit longer.  However for the last 40kms I have to let each bunch pass as there just isn't enough left in the tank to hold on.

I've just dropped off the back of the latest pack on the approach to Hatepe hill.  A pistol shot rings out and the rider behind and I simultaneously let loose the same expletive.  His back tyre has just blown and so is the only one in that bunch that I beat up the hill. It's the first time I have been completely out paced on this hill and when I get to the top I promise myself a stop at the drink station.  It's a chance to refill a bottle, lie flat for a few minutes and regather.  One of the woman keeps asking if I'm OK so I suspect I look a bit crap.

The wind is even stronger now and knocks riders around on the drop to the lake and along the shore to Taupo.  The start of the ten kilometre count down though is the point when it really is apparent that it's almost all over.

The gentle airport rise is ridiculously hard but then it's into the Taupo streets and there are plenty of sights to distract a tired mind from the complaints of tired legs.

Over the last rise the westerly careens gleefully along the straight and slap into the face of the riders.  The maximum speed left in the legs is just enough to get to the chute and then the crowd carries me to the finish (not literally - that would be cheating).

As usual, the end of these events is emotional.  From about 20km out finishing suddenly seems possible, at 10km it seems probable but there's still a bit of work to do, at about 3km it seems imminent if the body can just hold up.  For the last kilometre it is certain; anticipation builds to a peak, the line flicks by then everything crashes into overwhelming relief.  The normally stoic Richard confirms this when be returns from his ride; confessing to be close to a wee tear when he crossed the mat.

This time is no exception, as the line flicks by the loud speaker welcomes one of "our enduro riders", mispronounces my name and says I'm from Auckland.  I make a beeline for the pineapple while Sally rallies around with ministrations ready should they be needed.

Mr someone unpronounceable from Auckland

There are two things on mind now; a patch of grass to lie on and not moving my legs for a good wee while.

Results

I had set out with the stated aim of coming in below 12 hours and that I would be pretty happy with 11:30.  In training I had completed a loop in 5:30 (excluding a 20 minute break) mostly solo but had been shattered by the time I came around to Turangi again and stopped for the day.  On this basis there was a glimmer in the back of the mind that 11 might be a possibility but pretty unlikely.  On the lead up week the forecast wind didn't bode well for a good result.

The results on the web record my stats as:

10hr 52m 53s

18th of 80 enduro finishers
17th of 70 male finishers
7th of 35 in the male 45 to 54 division

But I choose to think that if I was a woman I would have come second.

But it's not actually all about me

Iona and Angela have decided to team up for their lap.  Iona is an experienced hand at this event but is notable for treating it with less respect than some might consider appropriate (ignoring start time groups, neglecting to scan her timing strip at the start, carrying a picnic, stopping for coffee ...) but enjoying the occasion and coming back for more. Angela on the other hand is a first timer and only aware how horrendous the western hills can be (but did conquer Hatepe in training).

In the end Angela discovers that those commutes up Ngauranga gorge have put more steel in her legs then she realised and although Iona sets the pace through the hills, Angela is anxious to push on for the end and leaves her to her second coffee at licorice cafe (around the 120km mark).  This is all after they are collectively told off for fronting up at 6am for a group they haven't registered for - still, the organisers aren't about to kick someone out of group W are they?

Angela's lap is interspersed with helpful people (including bystanders) diagnosing the noise from her bike and suggesting she should really get it seen to.  Iona on the other hand is asked if she has beer in her pannier ("yes if the price is right!").

Competitor 1270; leading the pack

The wind is strong up the lake but Angela has the bit between her teeth by now and keeps on despite the buffeting.  Rolling in to the finish she is greeted by her enthusiastic support crew (just) and is quite rightly proud of her achievement, trimming time off her training ride from Taupo to Turangi a few weeks back with 7hr 49m.

Richard wanders in looking not particularly tired but a bit sun burnt.  He has employed admirable tactics at the start, first by pushing into a higher start group ("Honestly sir, they had run out of stickers at the desk when I went to swap groups"), then by catching a fast bunch off the start and holding onto them for most of the ride and picking up the next group when he got spat out the back.

He has positively relished his first real taste of bunch riding; revelling in the close calls when drink bottles appear on the road out of the scrum of bikes in front; the roar of fast bunches scorching past and the adrenalin of travelling at 40+km/hr 6 inches behind the wheel in front with someone on each shoulder.  At 4hr 58m 26s his is an impressive debut.  He and Suzie head off for the hot pools to ease tired legs (Suzie having usefully used the day with a trail run up to Huka falls).

Angela, Mike and I potter around to Iona's motel to greet her and then Helen.  Helen has done the double for the second year and is (as last year) quite chipper.  We had met up briefly at the starting line but not since.  Her riding companion Avril turns out to have had an off after they got separated on the course, to the extent that St John's had to scrub out the gravel rash but not enough to keep her from finishing (apparently completely in character for her).

It is a very satisfied bunch that sit down to a very fine dinner (courtesy of Richard and Suzie) back at the house.  Richard, Angela and I have ridden further then we have ever ridden in a day in our lives before and all in better time than we had dared hope.

Iona and Col pop around a bit after 7pm for a social call but Toby is the only one not in bed so they quietly leave us to our twitching slumbers.

Taupo

Once again Taupo has out done itself.  The place is humming when we arrive early afternoon Friday after a leisurely drive up.  There are people everywhere busy on something to do with the cycle events.  And on the day they must have everyone in Taupo and their uncle directing traffic, holding flags, dispensing water, and doing the million other jobs required so that 9,000 odd cyclists can complete their personal event and get their personal time and be picked up in their personal ambulance should that be necessary.

Replete do a passable iced coffee (note the date on the cap)

Our accommodation (Tui House) is better than hoped for with a large double garage to work on bikes, heaps of space and designed such that the early risers don't need to disturb those still abed. It's about 100m off the water front so perfect to stop in between laps.

We potter out to pick up our registrations and wander through the stalls which are selling everything for those last minute cycling needs.  The Kennetts have a table with their books and we chat briefly with Paul and Jonathon.

The army band have come in for the weekend so Sally gets the benefit of their playing whilst waiting for weary cyclists at the finishing line on Saturday, she is also treated to the sights of the gent who ran for twenty minutes in bare feet to get his bike over the finishing line and another chap who finished then had to be carried to St John's with his no longer functional legs dangling below.  There's plenty of other entertainments available but we are quite self contained and our only social engagements are pottering around to the Acapulco motel where Iona and Col and Helen and Mandy are staying - somewhat of a tradition for them.

On the Sunday we complete what is another tradition - breakfast at Replete Cafe (nee Gusto cafe): early arrival, nab two tables and hold until reinforcements arrive.  It's good food and coffee and a nice bookend to the event.  Afterwards we disperse to various points of the compass in the southerly direction.

Comments, lessons and technical bits

Pace

The first lap was (for me) at a scorching pace and the second much slower with a hard,wrung out finish. Tactically it might have been smarter to get a slower group from the start but I doubt it would have been as efficient.  The thing that killed the second lap was having to do so much of it solo.  If I hadn't stopped between laps I may well have stayed with a group and got around the second lap in better time.  This would have required different support arrangements.  Ideally you would have supporters around the course on lap two but support vehicles are not supposed to be on the course at this point.

Hydration

Two bottles of water and one of electrolyte on lap one.  Two electrolytes and one water with a top up for lap two.  Seemed to work OK.  On a warmer day I would have wanted more electrolyte on lap two.  Practically this means having supporters en-route or carrying sachets and topping with water.

Nutrition

The nutrition plan was OK except for the reliance on One Square Meals (OSMs), here it is for future avoidance:
Mac cheese for dinner at 6pm ish.  No problems here.

Carbo loading

Two Weetbix and a little bit of muesli for brekky an hour before riding.  No problems here either.
Lap 1:  Two OSMs and two bumper bars chopped into bite size pieces (ate about two thirds), one banana.  Bars were a little hard to eat but pre-cutting worked well.
Half time:  Banana and water
Lap 2: Same for bars plus two bananas.  Couldn't eat much of the bars through feeling nauseous.   Bananas were good.  One gel for a bit of a pick me up for last 20k.

Bike

Merida Scultura Carbon fibre something or other.  Love it.  After training on a cast iron relic it's a dream to ride on the day.  If only I knew of a light weight seat that didn't feel like concrete after 200km and doesn't remove skin from tender places by the end of 320k.  Repair kit and two spare tubes in a seat bag (fortunately not required).  Bar bag for nibbles worked well.  Brand new Blaze bike light worked very well.  One charge was enough on low beam which was more than bright enough for road riding.  Very happy with performance, will see about durability.  Probably not suitable for brevets due to need to recharge. 

Clothing

The weather was not cold or forecast to be cold so I went light and everything was basically fine - the weather would have had to vary significantly from forecast to have been a problem ...

Bike shoes with out socks (as they are too tight and I'm too cheap to buy new shoes); worked fine, no rubbing and no squashing (which I get even with light socks) - I had booties standing by but left them at the house although other riders wore them.  Cheap Route 7 '8 panel' bike shorts; OK but felt a little like sandpaper from half way through lap two - (not sure what shorts wouldn't though - also see comments on bike seat).  Lap one top: marino shortsleeve top, light marino long sleeve base, light OR rain jacket, flouro vest; worked fine, only need to pull zip down on Hatepe. Lap 2 top: removed jacket and base, kept jacket in pocket - a bit cool when it drizzled but basically OK - didn't have to put the jacket on.  Gloves: mid-weight fingered - fine both laps.  Arm warmers could have been useful on lap two.

Training

Must have done just enough.  Given difference in lap times probably need to concentrate a bit more on stamina.  A 17 week schedule off a reasonable fitness base seemed to be about right and I tried to stick to it using my commute as the core with various interesting routes to spice it up, and a longer ride each weekend aiming for a good handful over 200km.  However things faded a bit in the last few weeks somewhat, including missing the final scheduled 250km ride.  A couple of bike tours were useful additions for time in the saddle and multi day riding (plus a bundle of fun that didn't feel like training).  Should really do more fartlek training (repeated bursts of effort) but can't rustle up the discipline.

Support

Last but not least ... not having to worry about pick up and drop offs, having things ready at half time, meals before and after sorted out, reminders of things which must not be forgotten (like applying chafe cream), waiting at the end in case legs don't work for walking any more ... all those myriad things that mean you can just think about getting the bike and body ready.  Priceless!  Last three years it was DIY for me but the support this time made a world of difference.  Also, of course, the company of comrade cyclists in adversity.

We wont mention the support team that arrived late at night waking their rider on the eve of the big event ... got up too late to see them off to the start then almost missed them at the finish line ... tsk tsk ; )

Taupo training ride (again)

Solo road ride

It's getting close (four weeks) to the Taupo ride and I've been meaning to get at least one big ride in of over 250km including a couple of passes over the most hilly part of the course.  This weekend is it.

Sally very kindly volunteers to come and provide support which means we get to stay somewhere nice.  The Judge's Pool in Turangi is a good choice and considerably more private than the A Plus Sumarai Lodge Back Packers from two weeks back.

There's no drama getting out of Wellington and up to the motel shortly before midnight then straight into bed. The next morning we wake 11 hours and 56 minutes before the time for which I set the alarm (6.30 pm) and head up the road to Taupo.

A quick lube and tyre pump then Sally waves me off about 0800 and heads off in search of coffee. 

A quick lube,

And he's off

Judging by the photos she finds at least two sources of the brown nectar as well as Huka falls and numerous other spots to take pictures of the wee white car. 

Wee white car by coffee cart at lake

Huka falls

Huka falls

Huka falls car park

Lake view on way back to Turangi

I on the other hand am intending to follow the other route across the top of the lake this time but am a little vague about the correct turn off to get to SH 32.  Fortunately I catch a cyclist who knows the area and she points me in the direction of Marotiri Road.  Not before we pass a severely mashed ute that has just lost an argument with a milk tanker, which would explain the ambulance 10 minutes back. 

The first part of the course climbs steadily but reasonably gently for over 15 km; the air is decidedly cool and the westerly wind firm so the odd patch of sun is most welcome.  Having found Marotiri Road and navigated my way to the turn south onto SH 32 it's now the long haul down the western side of the lake.  It's 73km from the turn to Turangi and most of it is lumpy.

As the relentless series of hills roll by it's impossible not to think what it's going to be like climbing this latest rise after another 157km. The only break in the ride is when a bee bounces off my face, down my jacket and stings me on the arm, little bastard. Still, no magpie attacks today.

The weather stays cool throughout and the wind strong and mostly unhelpful, by the time I've scooted down Waihi Hill and into Turangi a little before midday, I'm ready for a warmer layer.

Sally is back at the Motel to feed me sandwiches and replace drink bottles as I lie on the bed and complain about my back, my bum and the wind. I stretch the rest out for a bit longer than strictly necessary so its about 1220 before I'm back on the road with a second Marino top. 

Motel in Turangi

Settling into my stride, a cyclist catches up and starts chatting.  Richard is also training and is completing a lap of the lake. His pace is slightly quicker than mine so we end up with a compromise somewhere in between as he seems keen on the company. 

He turns out to be quite the gun having won events in the past and completing Taupo in 4hr10 in 2007 when he last did it.  Truly impressive.  We take turns leading and although I give him the opportunity to leave me at Hatepe Hill we end up cruising up together.  As we make the final run into Taupo arriving around 1400 I can't help thinking how tired the pace is making me and what another 100km of hills is going to feel like.

Richard turns off to Acacia Bay after the short climb out of Taupo (and a bottle refill); I groan inwardly and start the climbing again.  The westerly has not dropped noticeably so it's a long grind and I promise myself a rest where Marotiri meets SH 32.  In the end I hold out until the Whangamata intersection where a farmer on a motor bike slows down to check whether the body on the side of the road might be in need of assistance.

The worst of the hills are still ahead but the total distance has whittled away to 63km, it's beginning to feel doable.

Eventually part way up one of the steeper climbs the wee white car hurtles past from the opposite direction.  Sally has had a snooze, done some shopping and has come up the lake to meet me via another photo stop or two.

Supposedly a picture of steam vents on a hill

My support crew administers replacement liquids, supplies some leggings against the declining temperature and agrees to meet me at the top of the next hill after 10km to see if a jacket is in order.  It's encouraging to have a chat and a brief lie down. 

Head down at top of steep bit

After a rest - still not very cheerful

A couple more rendezvous points and eventually it is the downhill at Waihi and, in the knowledge that there are no more hills and a flat run home I wave the support crew good bye.  The westerly is very helpful for the last 8km and it's an utter relief to dismount outside the unit after 264km of riding.

I'm not sure what was turning the pedals for the last wee while because all I can do is crawl on to the bed and lie there feeling nauseous.  It's some time before a shower is feasible and longer before dinner is possible.  Eventually I feel warm, vaguely human and able to stay awake long enough to get into bed.

Ohhhhwwwww

The next day starts sunny as we head off for breakfast at the Brown Sugar cafe in Taihape.  However, Taihape and Waioru seem to be the only places enjoying sunshine today and it's a cloudy trip home.  A couple of breaks keep the journey interesting; the Marino shop at Utiku just south of Taihape (some cool stuff here) and Liz Hardie's cafe in Foxton (spot the corrugated iron coffee cup sign on the left shortly after the Mobil) - a 'must stop' with a couple of interesting craft shops now co-located.

Training ride to Palmy

Road ride up the Wairarapa and over the Pahiatua track
Solo

The good thing about preparing for long distance events is that each training ride can be a bit of an adventure.  Weather and general wimpishness aborted a recent intent to ride to Palmerston North but with a long ride on the schedule for this weekend and sou'westers forecast for the Wairarapa it looks like it might be a goer.

The ride is mostly flat up the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa, with climbs over the main range at the Rimutakas and over the Pahiatua track to Palmerston North.  The Wairarapa climbs very gently to a final hill at Mt Bruce, north of Masterton, then it's a bit up and downy through to Eketahuna.

It's a grey day after plenty of rain overnight so there's no leaping out of bed with a glad cry and after much farfing about it's 8:30 before I'm wheeling off up the Hutt Valley into a firmish head wind.  The Rimutakas in the distance look a bit rough but plenty of time to worry about that.

A puncture going across the Moonshine Bridge causes a fair amount of cussing about Upper Hutt louts throwing bottles out of cars; there's only one spare tube today so any more troubles and I'll be using patches.

With Upper Hutt safely behind, it's the grunt up Kaitoke Hill than the Rimutakas.  The hill is nowhere near as fearsome as I had always feared; you've done a fair amount of climbing over Kaitoke, so by the time you start on the main hill it isn't that far really.  There's a few steep bits but nothing prolonged.  Traffic isn't too bad and the car I follow down the other side is doing a reasonable clip, the road is dry and the only slow car pulls aside to let us past.  All good.

What has been a head wind is now a sou'wester from Featherston (10:40) so pushes bike and rider up the Wairarapa at a good pace.  The road margins on SH 2 are generally pretty good and there's no reason to stop at Greytown, Carterton or Masterton (halfway).

I haven't been paying any attention to the time but know that all going well I could make the 4.20pm train from Palmy to Wellington.  If not, a few texts confirm that Iona and Col have a spare bed, and I figure to bike down SH 1 on Sunday (blah riding but there's no train on Sunday). 

The clouds have broken and there's some sun, although the wind is tending more westerly past Masterton so provides less of an advantage and is a bit of nuisance in places.  The road swoops down to cross the Ruamahunga (look left up a pretty gorge to river flats basking in the sun, where the river emerges from the range).  Then there's a bit of a climb through bush (rather than farmland for a change), but it's not too bad before the long downhill towards the DoC wildlife centre (chance for a coffee and loos here, but not today).

About 1:10, Eketahuna is a welcome break from what has become a decidedly boisterous wind.  A short cruise up and down the high street finds a coffee shop with pretty limited selection but toasty sandwiches on offer (I'm told later that one should avoid the first cafe on the right coming into town from the south).  It's not busy, yet the proprietress manages to spin out the cooking process so I'm pretty well rested by the time the food arrives.

North of Eketahuna the wind has become a strong westerly, so the turn towards Mangamaire and the range means tough riding conditions.  The clouds come over and it's a bit of a battle up to the saddle, the other side is even worse with the wind howling uninterrupted across the plains and crunching into the hills.

After managing to get temporarily lost in Palmerston North, it's 3:45 when I eventually find the railway station on the other side of town. Iona turns up with a care package (thermos of tea and food) then takes me home when it turns out the train is an hour late. This means time for a coffee, chat, more food then back to the station.  I'm starting to feel human again although suspect I smell a little more feral than appropriate in civilised company.

And that's pretty much it.  It costs $56 for bike and rider, which is pretty reasonable, and Iona gives me a bag of goodies which help while away the time nicely. The late afternoon sun breaks through, lighting the coastal plains with the cloud shrouded Tararuas as a backdrop.  Having driven this way many times it is interesting to see familiar places from a different angle.

Fields, sky, car ...

Sun setting over Titahi Bay

There's a few periods of rain then the view to Kapiti opens, with the Island catching light on its ridges, and the South Island in the distance.  Along Centennial Highway the sea is white from the breakers smashing against the rocks.  Finally the train emerges from the last tunnel and across the harbour the eastern hills are catching the last of the sun.

A calm Wellington harbour

Comment

Total distance was about 184km but if you want to make it a little longer there are plenty of options (e.g. head out to Martinborough and the back road to Gladstone).  The hills were not too bad; you hit the Rimutakas when you are fresh and although the Pahiatua Track is late in the ride it doesn't last too long. Most of the rest is pretty flat with a few hills after Mt Bruce and from Mangamarie to the start of the track.  The major issue is the wind, there are some long straights up the Wairarapa so if you have a northerly it could be miserable.  I chose a day with a sou'wester which was great up the Wairarapa but tough over the saddle when it turned into a westerly.

Road edges are generally okay, although from Mangamarie it's back country roads so you're pretty much in the traffic.  The condition of the track is much better since they re-opened the Gorge (fewer trucks).  You have the normal milk trucks etc to contend with, but probably the worst traffic was outside the Mega at Masterton.  The Rimutakas have a few corners with bad seal but overall not too bad.

Route 52

5 October 2013
Solo distance training road ride

The training schedule calls for a 220km road ride and I don't fancy the options around Wellington.  This will be the furthest I've biked in a day so ideally it will have some hills but not too many or too steep, quiet roads and not too much urban riding ... A bit of browsing and the Kennett Bro's 'Classic NZ Cycle Trails' throws up Route 52; if I start at Waipukurau and carry on through to Gladstone south of Masterton it looks about right.

Route 52 is somewhere in the bottom right of the North Island.  It finishes in Masterton in the Wairarapa and starts somewhere in the Hawkes Bay, but I'm not sure where officially.  You can start at various points (including Havelock or Napier) and take 1 to 3 days by bike but Waipuk is fine for my purposes. It apparently used to be a State Highway but got de-highwayed (or should that be; it got routed?).  It cuts towards the east coast away from the busy State Highway 2 and meanders its way along various stream valleys and over the odd low saddle to eventually disgorge you on the north-eastern outskirts of Masterton. 

We book into the Thornton Lodge Motel in Waipukurau and arrive about midnight.   It's not in the first bloom of its youth but is fine for our purposes.  The morning looks like the day will be a cracker so I take a chance and head out with the minimum of warm gear at 7:10.  Sally, my support crew for the day, rolls over and contemplates a leisurely rise and coffee in town.

The Thornton Lodge Motel

I'm carrying one bottle of water in my shirt pocket as I forgot to put the cages on the bike.  It's a real nuisance but I figure that with regular contact with the support crew I'll be okay. Maps indicate that there are few places to stop for water and this is borne out during the ride. The landscape is pretty much all farms so I wouldn't drink from any surface water.

From State Highway 2 the route takes me down Race Course Road and right onto the road to Porangahau.  The road is in good nick and undulates along most comfortably. The odd flock of turkeys are gathered by the road looking indignantly at the rider disturbing their peace and at one point a small flock of quail get a hell of a fright.  Rabbits and hares disappear into the grass verge and the road is littered with hedgehogs that didn't quite make it across the road before being shredded between high speed rubber and unforgiving tarmac.

On one of the downhills I'm all tucked over and a bar of gel drops out of my vest pocket, I go back and retrieve it but more about that later. It is pretty easy to follow my nose to Porangahau 45km away near the coast but it's worth noting that when I had checked on Google maps and other programmes there was a tendency to throw up various unnecessarily convoluted routes.

The Duke of Ed; Porangahau

If you come into Porangahau on the main road; to continue on Route 52 you have to back track over the river and take a left into Wimbledon Road (on the bend) and climb up the little rise.

Wimbledon Road follows a stream valley slowly up into the hills.  The road is rougher and narrower from now on but is still okay particularly given the lack of traffic.  It's not far along Wimbledon Road that the longest place name in the world turns up, and an obligatory photo stop...

Not so much a place name as a story

Despite best efforts I can't quite get a decent shot with my mug and the whole name in it.

The valley narrows and at about 66K the Wimbledon Tavern heaves into sight, just after a significant road heads off to the left to Herbertville on the Coast.  The best view of the tavern is from the front but I was back on my bike by then and not about to stop ...

No womble jokes please

The road potters further up the valley then climbs to a saddle about 8km after the tavern.  At 250m or so it's not the highest point on the ride but is one of the more noticeable climbs.  From the saddle the road heads determinedly west and into the rising wind.  On the horizon ominous clouds are gathering over the central range and threatening to spill eastward.  They never make it this far fortunately.

At 86km there's a left turn (marked with a Route 52 sign) and the road heads south and west. There are a few minor landmarks but there are only two things of note. The first is the discovery that the gel I dropped has leaked into my vest pocket with my cell phone and spread itself down the front of my legs; yuck. The second is at the 100 Km mark when the support crew turns up with a cheerful toot.  This is a little later then expected but apparently there had been a fair amount of backtracking in the belief that the rider couldn't possibly have got this far ahead.  I'm pretty relieved to swap an empty water bottle for a full one.

We regroup at Pongoroa (110km) for lunch in the sun.  This is the largest settlement along the way even boasting a Police station and is truly is in the middle of nowhere.  It is also the halfway point and although I'm having a little annoyance from the head wind, the temperature and road conditions are good and the ride is quite enjoyable.

Pongoroa; cross roads to everywhere

The map shows the highest point of the ride (about 350m) is 12 Km past Pongaroa.  Sally sets off to wait for me there (and read in the sun).  It's not a bad climb particularly in the knowledge that it's pretty much downhill from there on.

Winding up to the highest point

The afternoon turns into a bit of a blur now.  The road continues on through farmland and stream valleys lined with willows with the very occasional stand of remnant bush. Just before 154 km we hit Alfredton which boasts a school a couple of intersections and a Domain. We take the necessary left turn and stop in front of the Domain where I lie in the grass clasping various aching anatomical bits and glugging electrolytes.

Just resting - Alfredton Domain

It's about 43 km from here to the edge of Masterton and we arrange one more rendezvous to top up water.  Despite somewhat tired legs, the wind has swung to one side so it is good riding.  From a rough estimate I reckon we need to continue to a little past Gladstone via Te Whiti road in order to get to the target distance.  Sally potters on ahead and I knuckle down for the last few Ks.  A right turn at Gladstone and out to Carters Line is enough to make the numbers.

The last few metres

It's 4pm and after nearly 9 hours I'm not at all sad to see the last of that saddle for a while.  It's a short drive to Aidan and Janne's, a shower, a damn fine meal and a somewhat twitchy sleep.

Comment

I would highly recommend the ride either as a day trip or part of a tour (in fact why not continue all the way to Martinborough then across to Featherston and train back to Wellington?).  The road is rough in places with no verge but has very little traffic.  Water sources are few and far between so plan carefully.  The landscape is pretty enough but is basically rolling hills with farms and a bit of forestry.  The Kennett Bro's book gives a reasonable outline of the ride and has some useful info and tips.

Farms, hills, exotic, trees ...

Around the volcanic plateau

7-8 September 2013
Solo road ride

Some time ago I had promised to help drive a club van to Ruapehu for a ski weekend thinking to make it a rest week in the training schedule. But, as the date nears the idea of circumnavigating the volcanoes starts to germinate.  It looks like a loop of either 160 or 174K (depending on start point) through some pretty spectacular landscape.  The route is simple; State Highways: 48, 47, 4, 49, 1, 46, and 47 and 48 again.

The trip up starts a little late as I exit work to pick up the van from the ferry terminal.  The logistics are incredibly complicated but cars, bikes, vans and punters end up in the right places and we have an easy trip with the usual dinner stop in Bulls.

The van drops a few of us at the Forest and Bird Lodge (just up the road from Whakapapa Village) and heads up the hill to the club lodge.

The F&B lodge is pretty standard with bunk rooms and common areas. It's comfortable, warm and everything seems pretty new and clean. As a skiing and biking base it's perfect and is even within walking distance of the pub (serving ok pub meals but just main stream beer).

Saturday dawns misty and the promise of a strong westerly on the high slopes is enough to make a bike ride the order of the day (the skiing in fact turns out to be superb).

This will be the furthest I've ridden in a day so a careful carbohydrate breakfast of muesli is first up. But then someone starts frying bacon and, inevitably, second up is a big protein and grease breakfast.

The skiers head up into the clag and I drop quickly down the 7km to SH 47 and a left turn towards National Park.  It's cold and drizzly but it dries within 20k and the wind isn't too bad so the 50k to Ohakune pass easily (apart from mild regret about that second breakfast). The gully with the Makatote viaduct is a breeze and the net drop from National park to Ohakune is 130m so it's basically flat.

The town is quiet with all the skiers up the hill, I refill the first drink bottle at the BP, and cast a longing eye at the chocolate éclair shop.  This is a traditional stop for a generous, cream filled treat with lashings of choc icing, but not on top of that breakfast.

Playing 'spot the carrot' helps pass the time during the 27k and 200m rise to Waioru through rolling farmland and forestry.  Carrot farming is big up here and they tend to be lugged around in large unsecured loads so the game is simple, spot as many carrots as you can that have fallen on the side of the road. This is not so easy since they eased many of the corners and less fall off the trucks, but you generally see a surprising number.  Today I can only rustle up one suspect.

Waioru is a bit dank but I have to stop at the Z to top up a bottle, buy some batteries and text. So it's a cold start up the desert road.

This is the part I'm a little worried about; it's a long way with no services, and quite exposed. I have no idea how the strengthening westerly will affect the ride and am conscious that the road winds through a number of gullies which could be dicey given traffic loads on SH 1.

It turns out to be an excellent section.  It's drizzling as Waioru disappears behind but the weather starts to steadily improve.  The wind pushes the bike along as the skies clear and the sun shines on the northern slopes of Ruapehu. From Waioru at 800m the road rises to 1000m, meanders up and down a bit before dropping from 820m to 520 at Rangipo. This all happens over 50km so is hardly dramatic.

Bar the occasional interesting side gust it's a fast trip through to Rangipo with views of Ruapehu eventually giving way to a distant vista of Lake Taupo.  And the shoulder is much better than I was expecting. Then it gets tough.

Turning left on to SH 46 it's directly into a firm wind for 35k and lots of gentle but unrelenting up hill.  Tongariro and Ngaruhoe are shrouded in cloud as the road passes Lake Rotoaire, rising to 740m then dipping to 660m at SH 47.

It takes a long time into the wind to undulate up to 910m, then the whakapapa road intersection (870m) and the last 310m climb over 7km to the lodge.  The wind finally provides some assistance again and the sun breaks through, but it is a slow finish.

Approximate times (when I took notice):
0845 Depart Lodge
1120 Waiouru
1300 Rangipo turn
1505 Lodge

Sunday

The following day looks about the same at first brush but news from up the hill is not promising on the skiing front.  Angela and I decide to head off by bike for Taihape whilst the skiers check out Turoa to see if they have a better class of white out. Someone starts frying bacon as I'm finishing my muesli and a second breakfast soon joins the first.

It starts drizzling soon after we start and intermittently rains through to Ohakune. We potter along exchanging comments of mild regret about our choice of breakfast.

The rain settles in in earnest half way to Waiouru.  There is mercifully little wind but the road is awash, we are soaked and the cold saps energy. Angela however makes a clean sweep of the carrot game spotting a pile in a field, not strictly by the road but good enough. All I can claim is a manky parsnip.

By Waiouru it's still cold and wet and doesn't look inclined to let up any time soon, the wind is also starting to strengthen.  I convince Angela to take shelter at the army museum cafe for hot chocolate and wait for Mike as I recall the stretch of SH 1 to Taihape is busy, very hilly and perhaps not best with low energy in these conditions.

This proves to be not such good advice on my part. The car is a bit delayed so she has plenty of time to get cold in her wet gear. Meanwhile I'm skipping down the hills in improving weather and make excellent time through to the brown sugar cafe. The hills are of course mainly down travelling south (800m at Waioru to 450m at Taihape over 30km). It's all so different in a car.

At 107 km it was a good stretch-out after Saturday's effort. The net drop makes for easy riding overall and although the weather could have been better at least it wasn't windy.  And Mike remembered to stop for éclairs.

I have a few hours to wait as the van has diverted to the Tokano hot pools, but the outdoor shop and cafe take care of that nicely.

So...

The plateau tour is a good ride for the bucket list. If you start and finish somewhere on the loop it's about 160km; from Whakapapa village add 12-14k.

It was pretty much undulating with no steep hills although some long, relentless rises depending on direction of travel. There are few settlements so plan your water stops. It is highly exposed so take the right gear and put some thought to your direction of travel given likely wind direction and strength through the day.  Road verges were generally pretty good and traffic well behaved.  Some of the roads can get busy though and there are a lot of big trucks. I would recommend going with a buddy or two for support and sharing the lead.

The trip to Taihape was if anything busier and would be a bit of a grind from south to north.

For future reference; a few spot heights:
F&B lodge 1180m
Intersection SH 48 and 47; 870
Intersection SH 47 and 4; 830
Intersction SH 4 and 49; 620
Ohakune; 600
Waiouru; 800
Desert road up to 1000
Top of downhill to Rangipo; 820
Rangipo; 520
Intersection SH 46 and 47; 660
Highest point along SH 47; 910
Taihape; 450

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.

Around Taranaki Road Ride

Angela and Andrew (support crew: Sally)

Summary

A weekend in the 'naki for a clockwise circumnavigation of the Mountain by road bike staying in Stratford.  At 153.5km it should have been a bit less really, but more about that later.  No big hills although a fair few ups and downs from a bit before New Plymouth through to Mt Egmont Village.  It took a leisurely 8 hours and everything went according to plan; in retrospect we might have gone counter clockwise to get the hills and busy roads out of the way first but otherwise we wouldn't change a thing (apart from a couple of turn-offs, but more about that later).  It rained for the last third of the ride but it wasn't unpleasant.  Staying in Stratford was a good (cheap and convenient) option.

The Ride

Angela is getting into the swing of her new (second-hand) carbon frame road bike.  It's so sweet to ride after the cast iron MTB she's been riding for years that she just keeps looking for bigger challenges.

A couple of trips over the Akatarawas to Waikanae were the longest excursions so far but with the 'round Taupo ride in her sights she was keen to try something longer.  Mike had booked a weekend family tramp with about 70 other people so a chance suggestion of a ride around Mt Taranaki quickly turned into: A Plan.

The weather forecast for Saturday's ride is a little dicey but we figure rain's OK provided the wind isn't too bad. The Friday arvo trip from Wellington up SH 1 is the usual nightmare; taking an hour and a half to get to Waikanae.  However, Heaven's Pizzas has our phone order ready and the traffic clears so we head north in the night in no great hurry, arriving in Stratford around 9:30pm.  It pretty much rains the whole way.

We're staying at Digs Cottage.  It proves to be a good size, cheap ($40 each per night), warm, clean and has everything we need.

Saturday morning is overcast and cool but the cloud is high and we head off about 7.40am.  We don't bother carrying a map; how hard can it be?  Andrew cycles blithely past the first turn to Opunake but fortunately Angela is a little more awake and we're back on track after only a minor detour towards Eltham.

Opunake Road is a quiet back country road, undulating along with little traffic and a reasonable surface.  Rural life continues around us; we play leap frog briefly with the rural mail van and a pukeko launches itself across the road from the top of a cutting.  On our right Mt Taranaki has a dusting of snow near the top thrown like a handful of icing sugar from the south.  You can see the bands of vegetation fading into alpine herb fields then into bare volcanic rock higher up the slopes.

We just about miss our turn, where Wiremu Road takes the main traffic northwest (offering a shorter route).  Instead, we find the continuation of Opunake Road (southwest), which is now much narrower but still good riding. At the end there is a left then right to get onto Eltham Road.

Opunake, at about 40Km sees us join the Surf highway (SH 45) which will take us from about 7.30 to 12 o'clock on the Taranaki clock face.

This stretch of road is reasonably flat (by Wellington standards the whole ride is!).  It skirts the coast about 3km in land and crosses regular streams that radiate down from the mountain.  Small towns (a few with shops) are scattered along the route and there are regular sign posts pointing towards surf beaches on the coast.

At one point we cross Parihaka Road.  There is no indication of the significance of the location.  We have heard rumour that the community is looking at setting something up and that other museums (such as at Tawhiti) are not stepping on their toes in the meantime.  It's a shame though as we didn't see much more than oblique references to the historic events (admittedly we weren't looking too hard).

We stop at Warea for no real reason other than that it is directly opposite Stratford through the top of the Mountain and theoretically about halfway.  The old garage and the newer hall (opened by the Rt Hon J Bolger) are pretty much all there is.  Fantham Peak has started to sneak around behind the shoulder of Taranaki and the Mountain is starting to gather clouds around it's shoulders.

Half way

The view from Warea

Progress from Warea is marked first by Pouakai Range (north of Mount Taranaki) starting to claim the view on our right, then the saddle at Pukeiti and finally the Kaitake Range. 

After Okato (cafes and shops) the road gets markedly busier and a bit more hilly.  To the north, the chimney at Paritutu and Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands indicate we are approaching New Plymouth.  Oakura is the last significant rural town, with plenty of cafes it looks to be quite a good Saturday morning destination from New Plymouth.

About 10km out the rain starts and stays with us for the rest of the trip.  The Mountain disappears behind the northward ranges and clouds; we don't see it again.

We try to get clever in New Plymouth but our shortcut turns into a tour of the suburbs of Westown, Frankleigh and Vogeltown.  A bus stop provides relief from the rain for a bite and check the map on Angela's phone, we find our way back to SH 3 for the final stretch via Inglewood.

It's quite lumpy through this part of the ride and the traffic is busy.  There's another wee stop (literally) at Burgess bush for the loo. Then we tick off the towns as the cars and trucks swish past in the rain.  A tube of gel at Inglewood gives Angela a lease of life for the last 21km or so to Stratford. 

We arrive a bit before 4pm, about 8 hours and 153km after departure. Maybe not a record breaking time but we're pretty pleased to tick it off and it's quite clear that Angela is well placed for Taupo later in the year (more hilly but plenty of time to practice).

The proof (and note the rain)

The support crew has been doing her job keeping the unit warm and in fact hasn't shifted, not even to see the famous Stratford clock.  The Kindle has taken a bit of a beating though.  She agrees to drive two tired cyclists to New Plymouth for a posh celebratory dinner at Andre's Escargot Restaurant.  The food is superb and generous ($45 set menu).  All home and asleep by 8.30.

Sunday

The trip home is broken by a slap up breakfast in Whanganui (Cracked Pepper Cafe - there's some good cafes on the main street down towards the river) and the obligatory coffee at Liz's cafe in Foxton (Foxton Villa Cafe - look for the sign on the left travelling south, a few hundred metres past the Mobil at the north end of town).

The search for the perfect iced coffee continues

Back at home we get on Google maps to see what other geographic features we might knock off in future rides.  Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe?  East Cape?  Watch this space.