Rameka Track - again

This will be short, as it is a delayed write up of a trip from almost two years ago, and for some reason I didn't take photos.

It's not the first time I've done this track but it's been a few years and it's relatively convenient (i.e. we're heading to Golden Bay and the support crew is amenable to executing a drop off  at the end of the long gravel Canaan Road on top of the Pikirunga Range.

What:    Rameka MTB track
Where:  Top of Takaka Hill to Takaka
When:   31 December 2020
Who:     Solo

Website
 
It's a typically hot top of the south day as we head from Blenheim to Golden Bay. The queue for the lights for the roadworks on the Takaka Hill Road is not too long and the traffic is pootling along at such a good rate that we overshoot the turnoff.  

Canaan Road is always a bit longer than I remember and I'm surprised by the number of cars and people at the end of it.  Second time here and I still haven't got to visit Harwards Hole.

A bit before 1pm I leave final instructions about panic time etc and head up the hill to the turn off into the bush at Pages Saddle.

The track through the bush section at the top is largely as remembered.  A few pushing sections but a lot of riding.  Coming to the downhill there are a few bits that are getting a bit sketchy and slippery and one tight section has me execute a not so graceful dismount onto my left shoulder.   

I'm pleased to discover that more track has been cut - avoiding a bit of 4WD road travel.  Also, that there is now the option of heading into the MTB tracks on the block of pines that the Kennetts and others are rehabilitating in the Rameka Creek catchment.  There's a map and I toss up between the track that looks like it drops down the face of the range with views over Golden Bay, and the more windy option under the trees that drops to the creek and follows the road out.  The latter looks more interesting and cooler (Great Expectations I think).

It's nice to be on designed track as gradients, corners and stream crossing are designed for wheels not feet and you know what you're getting into from the rating of the trail.  It's a pleasurable ride down and will only get better as old pines give way to natives.  

At the bottom there are tracks between the gravel road and the creek (One click and two clicks) - they are a bit rocky in places but more interesting than the road.  

The memory is a bit sketchy from here but I think I headed into Takaka to meet the rest of the crew at the Dada Manifesto then back to the B&B for a freshen up before a much more sedate few days enjoying the sites and sights of Golden Bay.  

Waikoropupu - the dancing sands pool.  
To think we used to go swimming here

The usual suspects lined up to take on the next challenge

Challenge accepted ...

Thank god they stuffed up our booking at the other B&B

Postscript