Stratford to Whangamomona 13 November, 2010
First day of the
ride was a fairly easy 67km out to Whangamomona, with only a couple of interesting saddles
to cross,
just to make sure we did not get complacent.
You do not have to be potty to go cycle touring, but some say, "It helps."
Photo: Mack
This collection
was in the office at the Stratford camp. It had been brought to NZ
by Doreen when she moved from the UK.
Photo: Mack
Generally a hive of activity, as we get ready for the first day's cycling.
Photo: Colin
The van packing is
almost complete, with several supervisors.
Shasta is waiting for her first ride on the back of the van.
Photo: Lyn or Neale
This year's line-up.
Photo: Mack
Caroll, Margaret, Lesley, Gaye, Shae, Steve, Gary, Annie, Sloop, Glen, Neale, David, Lyn, Selwyn, Ray, Keith, Maurice, JB, Judy, Bryan, Briar, JG, Mirror, Mack and Colin.
Alert viewers will realise that Donald is missing. It is amazing how difficult it is to get 26 cyclists lined up and smiling all at the same time. We did pretty well to get 25!!
And, in case you want to know, Sloop's name is John; JB's name is John; JG's name is John; Mirror's name is John; and, you guessed it, Mack's name is John.
JB enjoying the countryside near Te Wera
Photo: Colin
Typical Taranaki hill country.
Photo: Caroll
The first morning tea stop. This is near Te Wera.
Photo: Selwyn
Sloop offers Lyn a cuppa.
"YECHT!!! What did you put in that???!!!"
Photos : Selwyn
Top of the Pohokura Saddle. 18k to go.
Photo: Maurice
Photo: Maurice
Roadside mower.
If you look closely you can see the four, very effective, circular saw blades on the
cutting arm.
As we saw on the way down the hill, overhanging limbs did not stand a chance!!
Photo: Maurice
View from the
summit of the Whangamomona Saddle.
The two cyclists down there still have a wee way to climb.
Photo: Colin
Photo: Maurice
Caroll is just about at the top.
Photo: Margaret
Several cars have made this their final resting places.
Photo: Lyn or Neale
Ted has just found a Geo-Cache. There will be more.
Photo: Selwyn
The railway line
in to Whangamomona. This has been disused for over 6 months following
a derailment that tore up several hundred metres of track. Perhaps the line will be
closed.
What an awesome rail trail it would make!!!!
Photo: Mack
Briar arrives at Whangamomona.
Photo: Colin
Looks like there might be a future for McCluggage Bros.
Photo: Maurice
The road out of Whangamomona heading towards Taumarunui.
Photo: Maurice
Lunch at the Whangamomona Camping Ground.
Photo: Margaret
A marvellous
evening feed was put on by the ladies from the local play group.
They set a very high standard for others to follow.
Photo: Margaret
There was plenty of food so the kids (large and small) could also get stuck-in.
Photo: Lyn or Neale
Even the dads joined in.
Photo: Lyn or Neale
A foretaste of what was in store for us the next day.
The time in Auckland, New Zealand is
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