BRR There and back with Mt Dick

Sunday was our monthly BRR gravel ride and this time around Neil took the month off and let Neville arrange an excursion in the Wairarapa.

I met Neil at 6:30 in town under some arches where we had something that they call breakfast (me, I'm not so sure) and then we set off to ride over to Carterton to meet up with the others.  The ride across the track was pretty good but as we made our way through to Mangamire and then down SH2 we got blown around a fair bit.  Nearing Mt Bruce we started to encounter some cloud moisture and it got quite wet for a while until we neared Masterton where it fined up quite nicely.

Arriving in Carterton we gassed up the bikes and then parked up at the cafe for a coffee and to wait for the rest of the guys.

Pretty soon we were joined by the others and after everyone had had their coffee fix we had our ride briefing and got the show on the road.

Nev started us off by leading us out towards Gladstone and onto some great gravel roads that eventually led us to Hinakura.  We had done these roads before but this time it was in the reverse direction - I can confirm that the roads are just as good whichever direction you're heading.  Really great scenery as you climb up through open farmland and then drop down towards Hinakura.  The dry conditions did however produce a lot of dust so following closely on the gravel wasn't the best idea and passing tricky for both the passer and the passee.

Hinakura

After a breather at Hinakura we got off the gravel and back onto tar for the trip into Martinborough where most of us fueled up for the next reasonably lengthy leg.

The first part of this next leg was a trip out to Tora and Te Awaiti.  This involved some more great, dusty gravel and some dodging of sheep.  Quite a nice spot for another stop and some piccys.

Because we were pretty much at the end of the road we now had to turn around and make our way back to White Rock Road so that we could head further South down the coast.  On the way out Mick decided to enter a corner a wee bit hot and didn't quite get away with it.

A little bit much of the Go-hard...

With some cable-ties coming to the rescue the Beemer was soon ready for action again and we carried on to White Rock on some more great gravel.  Top gear got used a few times so yes, it was very good gravel...

A White rock?

By now it was nearly 2pm and stomachs were rumbling so lit out and headed back towards Martinborough.  In Martinborough we had a slight issue with the corner-man system and our group got split up into several smaller groups.

Me and the guys I was with reckoned we were supposed to be going back to Carterton for lunch so made for there.  Nobody else was there when we got there but we were hungry so decided that yes, this was the lunch spot.  Eventually we were joined by the rest of the guys and had a bit of a laugh at Nev's expense.

After our late lunch Nev had one last little loop for us to take in and it was a cracker.  Just a short ride from Carterton had us climbing up quite a steep little track to get to the top of Mt Dick.  This was well worth the trip as the views from the top were pretty impressive.

This was pretty much the end of the ride so Neil and I said cheerio to the rest of the guys and started the ride back to Palmy.  The weather stayed fine but we did get to enjoy more blustery conditions as we made our way up SH2 and then over the Pahiatua Track.

I got home just after 6pm after nearly 12 hours and 500 odd km of enjoyable riding in some great country.  A great day out exercising the Vee!

More pics here.