Day 10 - Sunday 07 March 2010
Dist: 94 km. Av. Speed: 22 km/hr. Cal: 1584. Ride Time: 4 hrs 15 min
Another great day on the road. We left our accommodation about 8.30 and rode toward the city in search of a breakfast place to critique, but didn’t find anything open until we got all the way to Metropolis in Victoria Street. There was a bit of a stiff southerly blowing down Te Rapa straight which made us wonder if we were going to have to do battle with it all day.
Metropolis was always going to be a good choice and didn’t disappoint - they delivered the best Muesli yet (with rhubarb!!) and really good scrambled eggs with salmon. It would have to score a 9 for sure.
Heading out of Hamilton down Cobham Drive we stumbled across ex Waihi girl Jenny Riley out mountain bike training so she rode along with us for a while and we had a good old chat. Look for her name in the results of the Colville Connection next weekend; she goes well on a MTB.
The ‘inland’ route under the shadow of Mt Pirongia was another good choice today, with little traffic and good roads for cycling. We made great time to Pirongia village for smoko (yes, nice café there too) before pushing on to Otorohanga for a late lunch at the ‘Thirsty Weta’. Nice food but let down by distracted staff so I’d only give it a 7.
There were three good ups in the last 10k before Otorohanga which got the quads burning a bit but the after-lunch 18k blast into New Zealand’s shearing capital, Te Kuiti was fast and easy and a nice finish to the day and Butsy’s ‘holiday’.
Butsy departed le tour at Te Kuiti and headed back to Waihi. Thanks mate, it was great having you along, setting the pace and we sure cranked out some good distances at good speeds while still managing to take in the sites and enjoy the ride.
The back roads through the Waikato really do make a good touring destination whether you’re in a car or motorbike or whatever you like to tour on.
The repairs I did on my bike yesterday, the new pedals and the taped up and reinforced carrier all held together well, And I also made some adjustments to my riding position and lightened the load in my backpack, both of which have helped relieve the pressure on the major bike-to-body contact point; yes, my butt.
the thirsty weta is a good spot for a beverage, shame about the service!!! they must've been watching the footie!!! keep it going marky, and i will see you in Winton!!!!
ReplyDeleteDutchman
Sammy, Thanks for allowing me to be part of your epic. I really enjoyed the three days of riding. The weather and the scenery were just awesome. Enjoy the rest of the tour. We will be following the blog.
ReplyDeleteButtz.
Hey Vlade
ReplyDeleteYep, me and Shari and Gilly and Michelle had a great session there a few years ago after Blackwater rafting. It was still fine, I'm just getting too into this critiquing thing.
Hey, hope you're putting in the training, that last stretch from Winton to Bluff is going to be at full pace :-) Looking forward to catching up mate.
Hey Buttz
It was great to have you there mate, you chose three perfect days. Catch you back in the heart of gold at Easter. I'll be busting to go racing somewhere!