TA day 11: Keep those wheels turning, all the way into the Wairarapa

TA day 11 - Through Palmy over to the Wairarapa from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

It was a classic Autumn morning on the first day of Autumn. Clear, crisp and cool, with a heavy dew. The Totara Reserve camping area where I camped last night was the 12th photo checkpoint of the tour. I claimed my photo this morning as it was too dark when I arrived last night!

I was feeling pretty hopeful of riding a big distance today, as I felt so good yesterday and today's terrain profile looked to be one of the easiest yet. But it was not to be an easy day. From very early on I was finding it hard to get the bike speed that I wanted. I guess I was thwarted by a headwind, but I also must have been feeling a bit lethargic. I spent a lot of the day focusing my mind on just keeping the pedals turning. The headwind and lethargy both finally passed in the early afternoon and I finished the day stronger (but tired).

The Ruahine mountains were out in glory today after hiding under blankets yesterday. I followed in their foothills south towards Palmerston North, passing under the Te Apiti wind farm. The final short section of riding into "Palmy"was on the Manawatu River Trail, and brought me to the Victoria Esplanade. This is a lovely park area of the city that I've visited with Marianne's parents many times. I even had an early lunch at one of their favourite cafes, kicking myself for not inviting them up from Levin to join me! 

Then it was the major climb of the day, getting over to the Wairarapa Valley on the Pahiatua "Track". Far from a track, this is now quite a busy road since the Manawatu Gorge highway was closed permanently from land slips. But a takeaway lemon slice from the cafe helped me get over the top. 

On my way down the upper Wairarapa, I passed Pahiatua with its large milk factory and Eketahuna with its large kiwi statue. I stopped for little else apart from a herd of cattle being shifted into another paddock via the road. My eyes were set on reaching Masterton well before dark, with the prize being an icecream that I promised myself!

Wow, time (and distance!) is flying! I can't believe that my cycling journey down the North Island of Aotearoa is almost over. All going well, I'll be home in my own comfortable bed at this time tomorrow!

TA day 10: East into the rain, then south to chance upon good friends

TA day 10 - East towards the Ruahines from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

I really have been blessed by good weather when it has mattered on the tour so far. For example, yesterday's journey into the Bridge to Nowhere would have been a nightmare with a wetter track. I've heard that at least five people have had falls there during this year's tour so far, with three resulting in broken bones. And that's with the track being as dry as it ever gets! This morning rain hit before I'd even left the town of Whanganui, but thankfully after packing up camp. And it was solid rain at that! 

The Durie Hill lookout over Whanganui was a compulsory stop on my journey (a photo checkpoint) and the conditions were too bleak to see much of the town. I renamed it Dreary Hill.

My route today left the Whanganui River behind and headed east into the Rangitikei District. It rained solidly for a few hours, but I was wet through after 10 minutes and after that it didn't really matter. I travelled fast with a slight tail wind and nothing to stop for.

After lunch in Hunterville, I crossed the Rangitikei River and continued towards the Ruahine Range.

The landscapewas dominated by cone shaped hills. The morning rain was too recent to bring any green tinge to the yellow pasture that told the story of months of dry weather.

Eventually the route turned south. Today was the annual show day in the small rural town of Apiti. I arrived too late to experience the show but it brought a chance meeting with some good friends. Kath, Tony and their parents were up from the Kapiti Coast to support Kath's sister who helped organise the show. When I popped into the Apiti Tavern for dinner on my way through, there they were!

After a good catch up, time came for me to hit the road again. Once again I'd be racing the fading daylight to reach camp.

The sunset was stunning as I traversed ridgelines in the foothills of the Ruahines. And finally, just on dusk and after 167km of riding, I rolled into camp at the Totara Reserve in the Pohangina Valley. 

It was a great day for me - once again the furthest I've ever ridden in a day - but the cooler weather made it much more manageable. Only a few more days at this rate, and I'll be finished the North Island leg of the tour! I'll be able to put my feet up at home in Wellington and become a MapProgress dot watcher, as Marianne continues our journey to Bluff.