Take it easy

Lake Rotoroa to Murchison
34km
Even a leisurely packup to let Louise's enormous breakfast settle (photo...) saw us on the road at 8:15, an early start by our standards. A very short day planned on basis of expected camping last night and our biggest day so far tomorrow. A quick run up the hill to the lake for the obligatory photo, and read about the mad goldminer/logger and his dugout canoes then back down to the junction with the dreaded Braeburn Track.
With no battery concerns it was a relatively easy climb to the saddle (the lovely Louise had warned us she always pushed her non-e MTB to the top), although Marg must have looked like she was labouring as an old guy out walking his dog said 'You need one of those electric bikes'. I'll leave you to provide the response... There followed a long, steep, glorious, sweeping run downhill on good gravel through the dappled shade of beech forest, through four fords of varying depth. I arrived at the Tutaki Road junction with slightly numb brake fingers, but clean shoes!! Onward toward Murchison, still generally downhill, with a 'grammable photo op at almost every turn. Even better, the gravel turned to seal sooner than expected...
After a bit of embarrassing right/left confusion at the SH6 junction it was an easy cruise into Murchison, arriving at our accommodation at 11AM, and straight into our unit as it was unoccupied last night. Very new, very high-end finish, expensive by our standards but representing a huge investment by somebody. We've cleaned ourselves and the bikes, done a load of washing and will now head into town for the makings of lunch for today and tomorrow (and maybe Wednesday as insurance against the Springs Junction gas station being out of pies...).
Here to SJ tomorrow, over the Maruia Saddle. Wish us luck!

Comments

  1. The Palmers Go KiwiJanuary 23, 2023 at 6:55 PM

    Make sure and have dinner at Lazy Cow restaurant!
    Maruia saddle isn't too bad, and is very beautiful forest ride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simon and MargJanuary 23, 2023 at 9:04 PM

      Thanks for the recommendation, but seen too late. We cooked at the unit .. Next time!

      Delete

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