Day 17 - January 27, 2023

Day 17:  Whanaganui - Hunterville

With a bit of a quirky start to the day we warm up heading east out of town on nice flat quiet farming roads.  It wouldn't be NZ without a couple of hearty hills to get your heart happy before hunkering down at the Hunterville Hotel.

It was to be a fairly short and easy day, and the destination hotel didn't want us until 3, so we delayed leaving by an hour.  9am departure.  Our route took us pretty much due east; back towards the centre of the north island.  We rode as a group for the first km or so.  Over the Victoria Ave bridge to the Durie Hill Elevator.  Yes, an elevator.  Where was this invention on the first few days of the tour??  Part of the city's public transportation system, it runs all day moving people up and down the hill on the east side of the river to facilitate easier access into the downtown area.  What a concept!  First, we had to ride through a fairly long tunnel to access the elevator itself.

A bit of a backlog as the elevator can only comfortably hold three cyclists + bikes at a time.

And here's our friendly elevator operator..............

The ride took about a minute and cut more than 200 feet off our climbing for the day (but still included in the numbers below).  Very cool.......

Once on top there was a little tower to climb to get even better views out over the city.

Another tower on top, and a footpath down for those who want the exercise.  There is also a rather steep set of stairs.

We had a bit of a steady climb to about 20km, gradually leaving the valley bottom and climbing up above the hills.

A group shot at the 20 km snack stop - before Bart was stung by a bee and we all scattered..................

We had a nice long downhill section after snacks.............

Then gradually worked our way back up again.............  All on quiet roads today.  

The camera didn't get out too much after lunch due to the rain and the fact that the scenery didn't change a whole lot.  Saw these two little guys by the side of the road, though, and couldn't resist.

And a quick stop at a little pullout.

I pulled into the little town of Hunterville just before two.  That was the appointed hour that the forecast had the rain starting.  Seems this is sheep farming country.

And, of course, there's always a black sheep................

A pretty short & easy day today, as advertised.  We're staying at the Station Hotel tonight.  They've done a nice job of refurbishing.  Rooms upstairs with bar, lounge, pool room, breakfast room, etc. on the main floor.  Looks like they've done a really nice job.  There have been a number of trains passing by since we arrived.  Hopefully they won't run through the night.  It's still raining out there and the forecast is for more of the same tomorrow.......  yuck..........

Stats for the day:

Distance:  61.5 km

Elevation (Garmin):  2821' up, 1963' down

Elevation (RWGPS):  2791' up, 1935' down

Weather:  15C - 25C.  Overcast and a bit dull all day.  Light rain started shortly after lunch and pretty much continued all afternoon.  We were in to a cafe in Hunterville by about 2 and beat the steady rain that started about that time.  Pleasant temperature all day.