Leaders: Maureen and Margaret
Cambridge: Leader and Author = Maureen
Sunday 6th April – St Kilda Cambridge to Morrinsville return 75 kms.
We got away in good time since everyone on my list was present, possibly due to daylight saving ending. All eleven of us rode up to Te Miro and across on Waterworks Road past the mountain bike park and Morrinsville town water supply. Past Kiwitahi school then doing a dog leg out on Kiwitahi Station Road followed by Kiwitahi Railway Road. We arrived at Loxies café on the main street in Morrinsville, where we inherited another ACTA rider. Who wasn’t on my list but had ridden over via Mr Googles instructions which was the shorter route we will return on being, Scottsman Valley Road. What a real treat we were in for stopping at The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum, which was once part of an old quarry site. This place is a real hidden gem and would be well worth returning to enjoy a walk around the hundred odd sculptures hidden within the grounds. They have a small shipping container-like structure where a small café operates out of, selling “Duck Island Ice Cream” (yummy) which is made in Hamilton. There is a nice seating under a covered area and a very pleasant young guy serving coffee, toasted sandwiches and nibbles. We could see the very beginning of the autumn colours on the trees around the lake. After eating our lunch, we were back on the bikes heading into Cambridge where some people departed earlier to head back to their vehicles while the majority of us continued on yet another great concrete cycle path back to St Kilda. A great day to be on our bikes the weather couldn’t have been better.
The day ended with a lovely group of fourteen of us sharing a delicious Potluck Dinner at Maureen and Peter McRae new residence. Thanks everyone for bringing plenty of food and the evening was enjoyed by all.
Monday 7th April – Kairangi Loop Cambridge
A shorter ride of 35 kms today. Leaving from the Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park. A keen group of seventeen headed out on the concrete cycle path towards Karapiro where we shot off up Redoubt Road making our way over to Norwegian Road, which is part of the Kairangi Valley loop. This is a very nice ride which took us up around and then back down again. Unfortunately, the weather gods couldn’t make up their minds. So, it was coats on and off a couple of times. Towards the end of the ride, we experienced strong wind gusts, so the planned ride was shortened slightly. We arrived back in town via the Pukekura new housing area making our way to Ophelia café which is in a beautiful old villa. The towel I had been carrying around came in very useful to wipe down the outside table and chairs. Coffee and a chat were enjoyed before people either headed home or got prepared to head off to the next adventure being the Margaret Law Three Day Hub Tour at Okoroire Hot Spring Hotel.
Okororie Hub
Leader: Margaret
Cyclists: Margaret L, Janette L, Marlene H, Simon B, Sarah L, Rob W, Claire W, Carol G, Dave W, Ann A, Wendy C, Bill C, Neale S, Lyn J, Nancy R, Bruce R, Pieter H, Maureen M, Lynda L, Catherine D, Ian M, Jan W, Kay W, June G, Caolyn W, Roger P, Reg C
Tuesday 8thApril – Distance 69kms Elevation Gain 750m
Author: Lyn
Twenty-six keen cyclists gathered outside the Okororie Hot Springs Hotel at 8.45am. We divided into 2 groups. Maureen and Bruce lead the first group of mainly E bikes. Margaret lead the second group, ‘the Vets’ with Neale TEC.
Margaret had planned a route to the NW, unfortunately we had a strong headwind all the way to Karapiro. Plus a few hills made some of us think, an e-bike might be a good idea.
After 29kms, headwinds and hills, we enjoyed a morning tea break at Karapiro Mobil café. Luckily the ‘Vets’ were still at the café when the heavy rain descended, after 30 minutes it eased off and the group continued to the SE with a welcome tailwind.
Next stop was at the Hobbiton Movie set. A very busy spot with tourists everywhere. We found some tables out of the drizzle to consume lunch and coffee. The first group had left the shelter of café and again were caught in the rain
Return to camp was mainly along flat terrain. Most folk enjoyed a welcome soak in the thermal pools. Our cyclists stayed in a variety of accommodation – hotel, tenting and the paddock people in motorhomes and caravan.
Ready to Ride
Wednesday 9th April – 84kms and 1015 mtrs climbed for the first group
We again divided into two groups.
Author for 1st group: Nancy
The sun shone as we set off from the Okoroire Hotel with Maureen at the helm. My garmin showed 13 climbs for today’s meander or workout! State Highway 1 and 5 were very busy with large trucks and trailers so a turn off into the back roads was a welcome relief. After 30kms with 2 hills out of the way we arrived at one of Maureen’s favourite – ‘Rhubarb cafe’. Jim Barnett reserve was our next welcomed stop after more beautiful rolling countryside. We all opted to explore some of the circuit bush trails (while Marleen guarded our bikes) before a relaxing lunch in the sun. Maureen showed her excellent leadership skills in changing our homebound route to keep our group off the main highways and on to Tirau for a delicious icecream at La Moore’s. The day continued to a hot soak at the hotel and finished with our whole group thankyou dinner for another most enjoyable Hub Tour organised by Margaret .
Thursday 9thApril
Author: Ann
On a cool and crisp Waikato autumnal morning we set off ( in two groups again )heading towards Putaruru. We negotiated trucks on the ‘mainer’ roads before turning into quiet, rural roads.
Eventually turning into Leslie Rd we found the Te Waihou Walkway to the Blue Springs. Being a Waikato girl originally, I was surprised to find this unbeknown, to me, gem.
The water comes from the Kaimais via the Mamaku Plateau and takes 50 – 100 years to bubble up at the Blue Springs. Looking down on the slow-moving waters, the underwater grasses and reeds looked like a Van Gogh painting. This crystal-clear water is a constant 11 degrees all year round.
It would have been good to follow the trail through to the White’s Rd entrance, but repairs prevented this.
On we cycled to eventually meet up at the Wooden Farmer, a café in Putaruru, for the proverbial coffee and a bite to eat.
We took the minor roads back to Tirau and couldn’t go past the Icecream and Sweets shop without sampling their icecreams.
There is always a touch of sadness (or relief!) when we arrive back at camp on the last day of riding.
A big thankyou to Margaret for organising these three days of cycling with Okoroire as our base.
