Takaka Lunch Run 20th September

Well it was a brilliant day for the Takaka Lunch Run with fine weather and only a gentle breeze to contend with.  Numbers were down this year with only Paul D, Chris C and myself starting at Richmond.  We picked up Rob S at Mapua and the 4 of us made good time to Motueka.  The climb up the Takaka hill split us up slightly with Rob riding ahead.  We all grouped back up at the top and then raced down the other side - Paul demonstrated his superior  downhill skills.  Back on the flat we timetrialed to Takaka - the pace was pretty fast and we got there at 11am - way ahead of our scheduled time.  

Thankfully Pete was already there.  He had driven to Riwaka and had biked from there and had made good time.  We all bustled into the Wholemeal Cafe for lunch.  The Wholemeal cafe would have to be one of my favourites in the region.  It has a good range of food at good prices and the staff have always been very helpful.  Hopefully refuled enough for our journey back we left the cafe and started back to Richmond.  Hamish appeared on his motorbike.  He had expected us to be much longer and was somewhat suprised to see us heading back as he arrived.  Pete rode with us a little way before heading off to see a friend.  The return climb up the Takaka hill was hard work.  Hamish had met us at the bottom of the hill and we had offloaded any surplus gear with was welcome.   Rob again took the KOM points with Chris covering any rearguard attacks.  We sped back down the hill to Motueka with Paul demonstrating yet again his downhill prowess (with Rob also demonstrating that his strengths lie in an uphill direction).  Back in Mot we stopped for water.  Chris was feeling the pressure now and was starting to struggle.  There is always a crosswind riding towards Tasman and it was hard for Chris and Paul to get shelter.  Rob parted us at Seaton Valley and rode home.  The three of us continued onto Richmond relieved to have finally finished.  

It had been a brilliant day with great weather and good company.  Our final average speed was 30kph which is certainly the fastest we have done.  Chris and I cycled back to my place which bought the total distance up to 208km.