Geographically embarrassed

Ekatahuna to Masterton
46.8km (ooops!)
Today we're getting a lion, but I haven't seen it yet. At least, I think that's what Marg said. After she went out (for the usual reason of aging) she came back and put the jug on. It's 6:41, so she certainly didn't say we'd get a lie-in...
Actually, we had a lazy start, only getting away just before 10. I spent time writing up the Pohangina blog while my notes still meant something, Marg spent time organising having hot water available when we get home (thanks, Margaret!). And other important things. It's a short day, only 42.2km, if you go the right way, and no major hills. If you go the right way.
From the campground we were already more than 1km along the route, so that was a good start. Less good was that it was at the bottom of a steep drive. Already using assistance before we'd gone 100m. We followed the gravel South Road up and down a bit, catching some last long views over the rolling hills to the Tararuas to the North and West. Our route had turned to the South and it was only when we stopped that we felt the chilly Nor'wester that was otherwise on our backs.
Zoom down from a brief visit to SH2 to the Makakahi (sorry, don't know how to do all the macrons on my phone) River and trace its valley up and over a couple of ridges toward Hastwell, passing the unintentionally ironic roadsign 'Coach Road South (no exit)'. Then onto gravel for the climb up to Mauriceville, an historic town that is no more, past the quaint Norwegian Methodist Church. Much further on we found a memorial to Scandinavian immigrants who had been encamped for 2 years from 1871, waiting for their land to be surveyed and allocated before settling this area. Along this section we crossed the only spiky hill on today's profile, a second assisted climb and steeper, deeper descent to the junction of North, South and West Roads.
If we'd checked the instructions at our 20km break we might have noticed the instruction to turn left at Jacksons Line. We might even have thought that 20km for us was 22km en route from Ekatahuna, and we should be past our last steep descent. Instead confirmation bias took over (remember that?) and we saw a last hill on the profile, and a hill ahead of us. So up we went, and down the other side. To be faced by a choice of three private driveways at the bitter end of West Road... Fortunately, the detour was only about 2.5km each way, though according to Relive it also crossed the highest point of the day. By the time we were back on track we were due another 5km break! At least I got a photo of some particularly verdant, bush-bordered pasture out of it. And the navigation instructions are not on my bike this time.
The only subsequent moment of excitement occurred as a ute towing a trailer appeared from round a blind bend at full chat. A potential disaster as I was riding to Marg's right and in the line of fire. I'm not sure the driver even lifted off as I scuttled rapidly to the left. From there it was pretty much downhill, downwind all the way, both physically and scenicly, and, for that matter, as a riding experience. We passed section after section of flat paddock for sale for 'lifestyle' development, and ended on the shoulder of SH2 for 7km.
As we entered Masterton we spotted a red-shirted cyclist ahead, and thinking it may be Mike, who'd left Ekatahuna just ahead of us, we bypassed the campground and tried to hunt him down at an eatery somewhere, to no avail. A particularly delicious bacon'n'egg potato-top pie, a steak, bacon & cheese pie, tea and a large flat white provided lunch, before 2PM for once as well. But I did notice the pie index has gone up as we approach Wellington: this round cost about 10% more than Pahiatua!
Then back to the campground. Another large, comfortable cabin and great facilities. A pedestrian gate down by the river even lets us avoid climbing back up to the highway to get away.


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