A climb and a valley

Baton River suspension bridge at Lublows Leap

This day was to be longest we rode at around 71kms.  We left Tapawera a little later than expected as we found a coffee cart at the beginning of the section.  Unfortunately for me they had run out of decaf so no coffee.  Bev on the other hand was in luck.  While I was waiting to be served, the barista was in conversation with a couple of visiting Americans who were downloading about Trump.  They were very unhappy with where the country was now heading, commenting that less than half of the country voted for him if you counted absentee voters. 
About to start the Tapawera to Riuwaka leg

The trail from Tapawera was mostly downhill for the first 15 kms, with half of it sealed.  Then we hit the gravel which slowed us down a bit.  The scenery was very beautiful with mature bush and a rather pretty Whangapeka river.  After about 18 kms the next hurdle was Baton Saddle which was a 2.5km climb.  It had a gradient of 4.8% according to Strava.  I found it reasonably tough due to being stingy on the electricity and I wanted to see how well I would do on the minimum setting.  Both Bev and Rob managed it well although Rob complained about not having a low enougb gear.  

Preparing to commence the climb

We had an exhilarating ride to the bottom where we crossed the Baton River on a new suspension bridge.  Five hundred metres on was our lunch stop Lublows Leap where we picked up a packed lunch that was fresh and very tasty.  We were even able to share  some of ours with Rob.  


Only a few metres to go!


The ride down the Baton valley was very pretty with bush crowding onto the road in parts and covered the steep hillside down to the river.  It was mostly downhill alongside the river so for a while was quite fast despite the gravel.  Toward the end of the gravel section the road became more rutted rattling us about.  Rob had gone ahead and met us near a turn off to the main Motueka to Tapawera Road. 

Fresh apples and preserves

We continued on sealed road down to Woodstock where we turned off onto a cycle path that took us over a very wonky swing bridge that did indeed swing a little especially while someone was running over it as we crossed.  I decided to walk the bike.  

At Ngatimoti where we had a hoped to find a coffee cart we again crossed over the Motueka River for the run to our accommodation.  The coffee cart must have packed up by the time we got there.  We were in need of water so I knocked on the door of a local to ask whether we could get some. No one was home but I spied an outdoor tap while braving the barking dog to fill our water bottles.  

Rob left us a few kilometres down the western Motueka River road to go directly to his accommodation while we continued onto our accommodation in Riwaka.  On the way I saw a roadside stall where I was able to buy some very nice apples and other preserves.  

After a missed turn we arrived at our rather lovely Terraced Chalets which looked out over the Riuwaka river valley.  It was very scenic.  

Our hosts loaned us their truck to go to the Riwaka Hotel and we crammed into it along with other guests (our Queensland friends and Andrew a new addition from Opotiki). We quickly got to the pub where we recounted our experiences and enjoyed a nice meal.  

I have just been told by Bev that my editing of the last post was in dire need of some independent editing.

Lublows Leap swing bridge


Riding on a graveled country road

View from the chalet in Riwaka

The coffee cart in Tapawera


Tapawera toilets

Tapawera accommodation


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