Jane’s Extreme Bike-ride

Jane’s Extreme Bike Ride 31st Aug

9.00am on a clear frosty morning was early enough for the brave 6 who turned up to venture ‘somewhere’ on the maps provided. General consensus was to follow the outlined route as one group, with at least one person hoping they would cope!
Cope we did. Firstly conquering Mt [!] Charles to the very top, spending some time looking at the gravestones in the Herbert Cemetery and posing for our first photo shot.
Then our historical tour took us to the Herbert Church, where we examined both its exterior and interior. Jane M and Scott joined us at Herbert.
Our second ‘mountain’ was calling us onward and upward… so now 8 of us took to the climb reaching the end of the road, at Mt Stalker, for a very well earned lunch, followed by a sleep for some! Our numbers had dropped back to 7 as Scott decided a party was more exciting at Hampden [though he had ridden from ‘his mountain’ up in the hills beyond Hampden, and to where he had to return].
Our rate downhill was pretty spectacular, with me learning that weight counts- I only managed 58km/hr and trailed from then on. Hopefully we managed to see the views of the down-lands as they rapidly approached. One Tree Hill road was a rollercoaster; and Kuriheka provided more photo shots as ‘the boys’ played on the guns.
After the climb to Kauru Hill’s now privately owned church and school, we had our final group stop. The brisk NEer wind, and for some their tired legs, the final ride via Gemmels Crossing and Teshmakers was quite a challenge. Now Jane named the ride: ‘Jane’s ‘too’ extreme bike ride’.
All safely returned with no incidents after completing the basic 72km circuit. Maurice completed 88km by biking from home, and Ian was off to do his second lambing circuit of the day.
Thanks for the company [when I caught up!] and support Maurice, John , Colin, Marcel, Ian, Scott and Jane M. Jane Green