Palmerston North bike trip

When some families get together there is invariably a fight. In our case, there are invariably plans hatched for various bike trips that virtually never eventuate because the chances of diaries coinciding is pretty much zip. We still do it though.

This is one of those rare times when it actually happens. The original plan is for Wellington but Palmerston North is slightly nearer halfway and also happens to be one of those enlightened parts of the country that observe Wellington Anniversary. The intention is to go for a ride that can be enjoyed by all, without terrifying the less adventurous out of ever touching a bike again. Oh, and the usual good food and yack. 

Iona and Col gamely volunteer accommodation, food, transport and all those other small inconveniences that some hosts don't mind and some guests appreciate.

The Lower Hutt contingent are on the road by 6 am on Saturday morning arriving in time for pancakes and bacon for breakfast (after only one coffee stop on the way in Shannon). Over breakfast the plan crystallises, and the transport logistics are settled. The forecast is good and Palmerston North is enjoying an almost total absence of the gales that usually howl through its benighted streets. The Wind Farm Road it is then - and the convoy sets off.

Gorge Road

We negotiate the Manawatu Gorge, cross the single lane bridge into Gorge Road, and convene at the Bridge Cafe. Here the bikes are unloaded and the support crew (of one) is sent off to explore the shopping experiences that Woodville has to offer. The supposedly fitter two members of the party are dispatched to climb Hall Block Road whilst the more sensible ones head up in the ute.

Main assault party gears up 

Admiring glances at the beautiful blue Norco cross bike 

Hall Block Road takes an easy, winding route to the flat topped ridge. There's some pretty views over the start of the Gorge, the basin around Woodville, and across to the low hills in the east. One can't help but speculate how much prettier it would look if a slip finally blocked the gorge and turned it all into a big lake.

By the time we get to the top of the hill the main party has parked, and decamped south along the ridge. From the top there are views across the Manawatu Plains and even the odd mountain on the horizon. The most striking sight though is hundreds of wind mills doing bugger all - the lack of wind and the overcast make it perfect biking weather. 

Sister number one enjoying the view

Brother number two and sister-in-law cruise along the tops

The 'track' is a good quality gravel road that winds along the broad ridge with spurs to each of the myriad windmills. It's easy going, with little in the way of hills.  Part way along the ridge the main wind farm access road leaves us, and the track becomes more interesting. Deep puddles, clay, and the odd rocky base make the ride a little more challenging.

Just before the going gets muddy 

A few people have to assay inelegant dismounts as a puddle proves to be deeper or the exit more slippery than anticipated. Glenys and Peter, in an apparent attempt to out do each other, throw them selves respectively into a rocky puddle and a fence - a credible amount of claret gives Glenys bragging rights for the most spectacular 'off' of the day.

Iona rather unsportingly avoids the bottomless quag 

A long easy down hill on North Range Road brings us to the top of the Pahiatua Track. We re-group to exchange notes - yes we all came across the dopey bunch of walkers determinedly strung across the road despite five bikes coming through in succession.

We regroup again after the 200m drop down to Fernhills. The supposedly fitter members head off down Tararua Road which is in good nick and provides a nice little meander on gravel, but is definitely not a short cut. The sensible ones head north on Ballance Valley Road and eventually join into Gorge Road. We all arrive at the Bridge Cafe within minutes of each other and anticipating a late lunch.

The cafe service is a bit hit and miss but the food and coffee are pretty good and it's a nice spot. We exchange war stories and the support crew relates her experiences in Woodville and environs.

All up it was the perfect ride for the people and the day. It would be a good family loop although you may not want the littlees dicing with the traffic down the Pahiatua Track.

With the serious business out of the way the next 24 hours are given over to those other great family past times - eating and chatting. Tapas at Chez Iona and Col that night and then Aidan and Janne swing by and we head to the Elms for Sunday lunch.

A most satisfactory weekend.

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.