Dual whinge

[Ms Piggy]

I was supposed to collect my new bike yesterday, but turns out Australia had sent the wrong model. (I tried to put a "doh" smilie in here but it wouldn't work for some reason!) Ah well, at least I do have one Ducati.

So I did some retail therapy at the bike shop - some new Dainese Ducati boots (don't need them but got a good deal - what's a girl to do?), some duct tape, and a couple of other things.

Sorry for hijacking this thread Phil!

Oh no Lynda!! What a pisser!! Arrrghhhh. Well I'm glad to hear you treated yourself to something nice, but not much of a compensation aye! So how long do you have to wait now?

[phil_elvey]

I've heard whispers about this region but never explored it. Had to dig out a map to find Vinegar Hill. So tells us more about the best roads and how they compare to, say, Rimutaka hill and Wairarapa. Sounds worth a weekend away.
MD

I would compare them some of the good roads around the Waiarapa, except they are longer! A good place to start is Route 52 from Masterton. From there it heads NE behind the Puketoi Range - this is a spectacular route. You have many options from here. You can go up to Pongaroa and then across to Pahiatua, or keep going up a bit further and then turn off to Weber and on to Dannevirke, or (if you have the range) continue right up to Waipakarau (there is a few ks of gravel if you do this leg).

[MD]

Thanks Phil. I've done the Masterton-Weber area and you're right it is great. It's the West side of the Tararua's I've never explored above Cheltenham-Fielding-Vinegar Hill? Linda will no doubt be able to give me the run down.

[merv]

Thanks Phil. I've done the Masterton-Weber area and you're right it is great. It's the West side of the Tararua's I've never explored above Cheltenham-Fielding-Vinegar Hill? Linda will no doubt be able to give me the run down.

If you are happy on tighter roads too try Pohangina valley and up to Apiti which is to the right on the map of the Cheltenham and basically straight up from Ashhurst, turn right just past the Waterford Cafe and Bar. There's a bit of moss on the road in the winter. You can then return via Kimbolton to Feilding. There are also some good roads, tight in places, to the left on the map from Hunterville through to Fordell.