The ride this year was an easier ride than others but still a long time in the saddle.
The weather was great for a ride, clear skies, cool but not cold and little wind for most of the time.
I left home at 0558; fuel tank of gas, GPS on board with the route installed.
- 0621 Arrived Caltex Rimutaka
- 0630 Left on ride - 5 left before me. I planned to take it easy over the hill as the tyres are new.
- 0732 Mauriceville and first photo
- 0810 Pahiatua for fuel. This stop will ensure enough fuel to get to Turangi
- 0825 Saddle Road and photo at wind farm
- 0908 Stanway Hall for a photo
- 1055 Fuel at Turangi and a photo
- 1146 to 1205 Taumaranui for a pie and coffee. At this point there were 3 in front - Newlands riders.
The next turnoff was Ramaroa Road. I took this but miss took the turn to Aria so ended up in PioPio having added some 10kms to the trip.
- 1329 Awakino for a photo. 4 others left from there as I arrived, 1 CanAm 3 wheeler?
- 1423 New Plymouth for fuel. The sky is now heavy cloud.
- 1515 Pungarehu for a photo
- 1730 to 1740 Bulls and a stop for a coffee and snack bar - I needed this stop.
- 1835 Otaki for fuel
- 1933 Finish - arrived at Parrot and Jigger. Mr CanAm was there and the first 3 had checked in an hour ago? I last saw them in Taumaranui so they must have been flying to cut an hour off my time even allowing for the extra 10kms I did.
- I was home at 2000hrs.
The Odo home to home was 1113kms. Moving average speed 91K/Hr, Overall average 78K/hr.