I did it. Not quite the ride I meant to do but I got up Haitape Hill. This probably means nothing to you, unless you are familiar with the Taupo Bike Challenge. The challenge is 160km round the beautiful Lake Taupo, and can be broken down into a relay. I did the 3rd leg. The 4th has the dreaded Haitape Hill, about 2km long and steep. Being on the final leg it is a killer if you have done the whole 160km. I did not do it on the challenge as I was scared I would not get up it and was nervous of 40km let alone 40km with hills. As it was I also had a huge one but not as unrelenting as Haitape. Anyway, our team mate was not able to get up it, without stopping, and I was curious to know if I could have. At the changeover point, at Motouapa, there was a small campsite, on the lake front and a spit from a cute marina. I resolved that we would camp there and I'd do the 40km into Taupo. That's what we've done this weekend. Sort of. I always struggle with Maori names. I checked the websites for camping grounds and duely booked us into Motutere Bay campsite. On Friday I was working and Eric, although officially on holiday, had a settlement so had to go into the office to do the paper work for that. We aimed to leave at 5pm but I was working until gone then so we left at 6.10pm and Harriette drove (that meant religious sticking to speed limits!!). When we got there, thinking we were at the changeover point I didn't recognise anything!! We drove on a bit then went back and went to check in. Yes, they were expecting us. Bugger!! The campsite was huge, we hate crowds, and right on SHW1 (NZ's M1 equivilent). More to the point our site was about 10m from the road. It was late. I dropped Eric, girls and tent off and rushed off to find a take away. The fish and chip shop 6km away had stopped frying so I had to go into Turangi. Just got in before they stopped cooking pizzas at the only decent place open. I got back an hour later to find tent up, and amazingly, everyone still talking to each other. Then the teasing started. I had promised a quiet spot and here we were, feeling like we were camping on a lay-by on the M1! It was also blowing a hooley off the lake but very warm. The pizzas were great and I'd bought pre-mixed GnT's as a peace offering! The first piccie was not to show my bike, rather our proximity to the waters edge, 2 shows same detail in relation to the road!!
So, the bike ride. So much for doing the 4th leg. We were camped 10 km closer to Taupo so the route was 30km, not 40. I had mentioned to a colleague, Fe, who is seriously fit (Iron Man level) and lives in Taupo, what I was doing and she said she'd join me for the ride. She then added 3 friends to the mix - intimidating or what!!! On Saturday morning, after a terrible night being shaken awake at irregular intervals, Eric and I had a drive down to Motouapa. Eric agreed. This site would have been lovely! Walked round the marina and lingered longingly by a Bayliner boat (a large launch) for sale for $125,000. Got back, thinking I'd maybe cycle 5km and back to add the 10km and pretend I'd done the 4th leg but Fe and co turned up earlier than expected. They'd cycled down from Taupo. Todays bike ride was to be a warm up for tomorrow when Carey and Fe were going to bike round the lake!!!!! So, bolted a bowl of cornflakes, got dressed and headed off. And, well I made it. I think Taotaoroa Rd has been good training. In fairness, the weather was much cooler than the day of the challenge, and I had 10km less under my belt when I hit the hill, but, although it was hard, I never doubted I could get up it, once I started. Fe was great and stayed with me, chatting most of the time and coaxing me gently on. Needless to say she was not even breathing heavily. The others were way ahead of me. One day I'll cycle up hills without drawing every breath as if it were my last!! We got to Fe's place in Taupo and everyone was very nice and encouraging over my efforts.
While I'd been cycling Eric had taken the girls into Taupo for a 1 hr horse trek. They had passed us on the way, after the hill. Eric had the bike rack ready to take me back but, in view of the 30 instead of the 40km ride in I decided to bike back. That meant getting up the other side of Haitape but that was a slower ride. Still hard though. So yesterday, I did a 60km ride, albeit with an hour long break in the middle. I am quite npleased with myself! Came home Sat pm so we could continue with the polytunnel today. Very windy here though this morning.
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