Tongue and Meats on Bikes

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Tongue and Meats on Bikes Michael Hollis Push - Push - Push Jim Robinson joined us in December It's raining and since then most weekends Push - Push - Push have found at least two of us Water sprays up from the wheels - on the bikes, sometimes all three. no mudguards Push - Push Push Mike would usually lead the way Turn into the wind - drop a gear most weekends, and completed Push - Push - Push an epic Te Awamutu to Wanganui trip Bum aches - stand up on the by himself. Last Anniversary pedals for relief Weekend Jim and I roped Brian Push - Push - Push Charles in for a trip to Nelson Hill - drop two gears Lakes and Nelson. Riding into the wind up the Wairau Valley took 8 hours, but later Jim did it in 5 What am I doing in this cycling? hours one moonlit night. We con- How did it all start? One weekend tinued on to Nelson via the Hope last year I said to Mike Moran, Saddle and returned to Picton in "Going round the Bays tomorrow?" 6% hours. "Yes," he said. That was when I took on a new recreational activity. The first trip was easy; the Our longest day trip started in next involved starting at 5.30 am Wellington and all three of us from Wellington via Haywards cycled over the Rimutaka Hill by to Paekakaraiki Hill, Waikanae and 10.30 am, and cruised along the over the Akatarawas back to flat roads of Featherston, Martin- Wellington! borough and Lake Ferry to the

Western Lake Road and back to as possible. That decision took me Featherston. A total of 220 km. to Dannevirke and Pahiatua. Buncks Needless to say, we caught the picked me up there and we drove train back to Wellington! back to Wellington. Mike and I decided to cycle around Mt Egmont one weekend. We started Most Sundays this winter have seen at Wanganui at 7 am and cycled 90km us out riding somewhere around to Hawera, later lunching in Wellington. Round-the-bays on a Opunake. Odd glimpses were possible windless day is fantastic. of the mountain but it was hidden in cloud most of the time. Grad- What gear do we take? As little as ually as we turned north and possible. On Sunday trips just a then eastwards we had the wind spare tube, a set of tyre levers behind us. The short steep hills and a parka each. We usually buy were tiring and the spa pool at the food. For weekends we take a campground was welcome. The next sleeping bag and a minimal amount day we took the short route to of spare clothing. We stay in Hawera in pouring rain. We lunched cabins which have cooking utensils, in Waitotara and the sun came out etc. We buy food as we go. A ten giving us a leisurely ride back to speed bike in good working order is Wanganui. A total of 350 km for a essential. weekend! Wellington isn't the ideal place Claire Douglas organised a cycle for bike riding. It's windy and ride to Akitio on the Wairarapa hilly. But with three in a group Coast. A total of 19 cyclists only one battles the wind. It is started at various points between surprising how much easier it Masterton and Pongaroa. The riding is to cycle in the slip-stream was great on the seal but the 20 cm behind the guy in front. gravel was diabolical because it had been graded the day before. Pedal - Pedal = Pedal Lunch in the sun outside the It's a cool fine day Pongaroa Pub was a welcome relief. Pedal - Pedal - Pedal After lunch we split into two We start from Feilding for parties. Three took the longer Wanganui road but it proved to be the better Pedal - Pedal - Pedal run. We camped beside the beach at A light southerly pushes us along Akitio and Claire had organised the Pedal - Pedal - Pedal trip well as two cars carried all We reach Wanganui in 2% hours the gear, food and beer. The sea Pedal - Pedal = Pedal made for an invigorating swim after 66 km, at 28 km per hour the dusty road. On the Sunday I Pedal - Pedal - Pedal decided to ride on the seal as much Great day. Cyclists Jim and Mike on Kaitoke Hill Michael Hollis