VJMC Blue Haze to Tui Central via Rongomai short cut

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

Another great day out and about on the roads around the Wairarapa and Manawatu. After a few delays due to mechanical problems we spent the best part of the day roaming around some lovely windy bits of road. We tried a new bit of road that took us to Rongomai without having to do the boring straight bit of road from Mangamaire to Eketahuna. Although the road was a bit damp in places and required some care, the Pahiatua Track was great with no traffic to speak of. The great cloud of blue haze that billows after the Aokautere turnoff is sight to behold as the oil residue from town running is cleared from the pipes accompanied by that unique two stroke hydrocarbon aroma as you climb up the track. A quick stop at the top and then off to Mangamaire where with a quick consultation of the map saw us off to explore a shortcut to Rongomai. It meant we could miss out the boring straight bits of road to Ekatahuna. It proved to be a very curvy replacement as Dion and I took the lead on the 250s. It was during this part of the ride Dion had a close encounter with a falcon, and not the four wheeled variety. It was quite a sight following behind as it looked as though the birds wings were about to be wrapped around his helmet. No wonder his hand measurement when decribing the incident is so generous! Of course the sympathy for Dion from the troops extended to "bullshit, it was a sparrow!". Joking aside, it was a timely reminder about being very aware and careful when riding. After tea, coffee and food at Tui Central Mangatainoka it was back over the Saddle with a short stop at the top and then home.