SH 1 through Masterton, back roads from Opaki to Mauriceville West, Hastwell and Eketahuna, Mangaone Valley to Pahiatua, Pahiatua track to Palmerston North.
Link to Map
Distance: 132 Km
It’s not an early start but eventually I potter off up SH 1 to join the Tour route from Masterton. It’s an interesting section, somewhat hilly with gravel and seal. The day gets hot but there’s a few things to stop and look at including the site of a camp which housed Scandinavians who had come across to tend land that was not ready for them so they worked on the roads. Also a Norwegian Church on a hill.
About 1pm the route comes into Eketahuna from the east (after crossing SH 2). It’s as busy as I’ve ever seen it and one of the cafés supplies toasties and ginger beer. A quick pump of the shocks and its off east along the Alfredton Road before turning for a long delightful run down Mangaone Valley Road to Pahiatua, with little traffic and a kind wind.
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| Busy morning in Eketahuna |
The weather packs in so I take a snooze on the pavement under an awning, it doesn’t clear so eventually I have to harden up and leave during a lull. In short order it’s dumping down and the lights are on.
The route leaves the main road and follows the windy gravel Tararua Road to the foot of the climb over the range. The road surface is a bit rough which slows things down and I’m happy enough to start the climb on seal in the cool rain.
At 6.30 pm I’m pulling into sister number one’s place nursing some fine saddle sores and feeling every inch of the lack of fitness. The bike is ok but the shocks need pumping twice a day.
Link to day three: Palmerston North to Koriniti
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