Tunnel of Love

Nelson to Tapawera
63km according to MMR
I still didn't find an Honest Lawyer!*
Fortunately no lasting ill effects from Marg's tumble yesterday. Worried as a back problem could end the adventure. I will claim the magic fingers did the job...
Today was a cruisy 63km on mostly flat seal and gravel. En route to Richmond the road book bore little resemblance to what was on the ground so we followed the Old Railway route until it joined the Estuary track: IMO the better option as the latter runs alongside the busy SH6. But that's how we missed the landmark pub.*
At Richmond we were passed by Sally and Nick; they'd been at Nelson hospital until 11pm before she got the all-clear. Said we'd see them in Wakefield but they were long gone by the time we got there. Just caught the Rhubarb Cafe for an excellent lunch.
Beyond Wakefield SH6 is an ongoing theme as the route regularly reconnects with it to run alongside (and occasionally on the shoulder) but it's much less busy here.
Of course the highlight of the day is Spooners Tunnel... A lower light is the 'squeeze point' where the climb to the tunnel leaves SH6... quite why it is at the bottom of the steep rise from the road rather than on the level at its top is inexplicable. This is the only section with such access control. The ride through the tunnel is a breeze; very gentle incline, smooth dry surface, and the chill air a welcome respite from the relentless sun!!
From there it's not quite downhill all the way, but a lovely ride following (and frequently crossing) SH6 through pine plantation.
On the final run from Kotahu to Tapawera the track runs alongside the road, apart from one short section where it runs along the road shoulder for 2 or 3 paddocks, perfectly illustrating the 'dickness' of some NZ landowners...
Tapawera campsite seems to be occupied largely by permanent residents but although the amenities are pretty basic and scruffy they are spotless. Dinner of excellent fish and chips (chosen to give the obviously harrassed staff a bit of an easier ride; warnings of early closing or even non-opening due to staff shortages are everywhere) and delicious local beer at the Hop Bar. Bunkroom had still not been serviced but two beds had fresh bedding so a quick rejig got us to bed for a long comfortable sleep. Spent a fair bit of time trying to find places to stay for the next few nights. Both Gowanbrdge backpackers and farm-stay full, so camping at Lake Rotoroa tonight, then Murchison, then a sleep-out at Springs Junction. Also warned there's no food available between Murchison and Reefton: Springs Junction petrol station breaking all records for pie sales! Nobody said this was easy, but that's a song for another day...

Comments

  1. The Palmers Go KiwiJanuary 22, 2023 at 8:05 PM

    Doing great, you two! Watch out for the hellacious sandflies at Lake Rotoroa! 😫

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What a difference a day makes...**

Arapuni to Mangakino 54.7km The sign could have said North. Cross the swing bridge and turn right to rejoin the Waikato River Trails NORTH. If they really want to be kind, they could even say turn right for North and turn left for South. Which is why we did a 2.8km loop around Arapuni before finally picking up the WRT in the right direction. We'd set off wearing our warm tops because the day had dawned bright and clear and chilly. By the time we'd wound our way through the single-track toward the dam, at the top of the final climb we had to stop and strip off. On over the dam, uphill the other side and on out into the farmland. Sudden stop by Marg. 'I don't have my gloves'. My offer to return the 3+km to where we'd disrobed was (thankfully) refused, and we continued, in discussion about where another pair of gloves could be sourced. While stopped I also posted on the TA FB page where we thought they were lost and where we are staying tonight. I was also hopeful ...
Read more

Papa don't breach

Image
Whakahoro to Pipiriki 40.9km (+33.7km jet-boat ride) The forecast was wrong today. Again. And boy were we happy about that! For the last week or so, it's been forecast to rain today, and it didn't. Well, there was just a shower as I write at 22:30, so I guess it wasn't wrong, just mistimed. Any road up, as we said in Lancashire, we are mighty glad we are here a day earlier than originally planned. We arrived bang on schedule on Plan C. Plan A was to spend a rest day in Forest House at Blue Duck Station, where our friend Sandy is working in the cafe for the season, and Ken was taking the opportunity to finish off some building work on the owner's house. We would enjoy some good company, wine, proper home-cooked meals, beer, and a touch of deluxe living. Did I mention they would bring wine & beer? Completely rested, we would enjoy a leisurely ride over the 'notorious in TA-world' Kaiwhakauka/Mangaparua tracks to the Bridge to Nowhere, and a jet-boat ride to Pi...
Read more

Well_ngdone!

Image
 Featherston to Wellington 83.2km Day 31 of 30! If you're wondering about the title, we (I) originally intended to ride on through to the sign at Te Papa and make the final photo 'Welliington'. But instead of the 4km extra round trip from Bluebridge I settled for a quick half at Trax before catching the last bike-friendly train home! A blustery, slightly chilly start from Magnolia House just before 8; the gale had abated but the wind turned Southeasterly overnight, with a hint of a shower in the air. We never felt more than a few drops, despite the cloud being well down on the Remutaka as we cycled out to rejoin the route. The forecast was for morning showers coming through from the South, clearing to a sunny afternoon, so we were going to meet and pass through any weather coming over the hill. Long sleeves while riding for the first time in the trip... The run out to Cross Creek Road was longer than I recall, the cycle track weaving on and off the road shoulder as we cross...
Read more