Day 6 – Hyde to Oturehua: coffee and a pie

Hyde Coffee Cart

It was a rather cold and overcast start to the day resulting in us putting on a bit of warm clothing with the intention of shedding it as the day warmed up. The supplied continental breakfast was great with a choice of cereals and even an egg. While we were having breakfast one of the guys who was sleeping in the next door room (it was a twin) came in to apologise for his mate. He spent about ten minutes giving us a graphic account of sleeping with Michael who he said snored loudly (I could hear a muffled version of it), farted loudly on regular occasions, stomped to the toilet and made a racket in there. We were in gales of laughter. John looked like he needed a couple of days sleep as I think he had been experiencing this for the whole trip. Our empathy was entirely with John. Strangely Michael did not show his face while we were around.

Our first stop was the coffee cart at Hyde where we ended up being a lot longer as Bev fossicked away in the little store attached to it. It is the only place you can get anything to eat or drink between Middlemarch and Waipiata. The couple running it were a delight and like every local we met were supportive of the mandates and vaccinations, and scathing about the events occurring at Parliament.

The next part of the ride was through the gorge which is quite pretty. For a while a cold wind blew in our faces but it soon died down as we were informed it would. It is interesting to see things in the reverse direction. It looks the same but different.

Sheep and riders in the gorge area

We had been recommended the pies at the Waipiata Pub so we called in there and ordered a venison pie. We had been warned they were huge, so we only got one and divided it in half - it was the right amount for both of us. It was ok, the pastry and gravy were good but we both thought the meat was a little dry.

To add variety to our day we rode the seven kilometres to Ranfurly for a coffee to give us some oomph for the long ride uphill to the highest point on the trail. The trail to Wedderburn was a long drag. While not at all steep it was nonetheless a relentless climb with very long stretches making the distance seem longer than it was. The clear skies and warm air meant drinking constantly to stay hydtrated.

It seemed to go on for miles

We stopped for a bit of breather at Wedderburn and met a nice couple who were from Alexandra and had brought their caravan to Ranfurly from where they were doing little day trips exploring different parts of region. They were delightful. Then it was the last drag up to the highest point on the trail. Although it was relatively easy, it was still hard work. From the top it was downhill all the way to Oturehua to our next overnight stop.

Our accommodation was lovely lodge (Inverlair Lodge) and the hosts came and spent some time talking with us before we headed off to the pub for a rather nice but very substantial meal..

Total distance:for the day: 60 kms