Raglan 2 Jun

Sixteen people on fifteen bikes today. Tony Kay led us to Raglan. The route was supposed to include Mercer Ferry Road, but the bridge over the Waikato River was closed for maintenance, so we detoured through Meremere Village and along Springhill, Whangamarino and Rodda roads instead to cross the river at Rangiriri. Then along Glen Murray Road, and down Highway 22.

On Ohautira Road, just after some roadworks, one rider stopped and waited for me. He said his bike was handling badly and he thought he might have a puncture. A kick of the tyres showed they were not seriously deflated, but his back tyre was covered in mud, and I suggested that might be the cause of his problem. He took off, and later told me he'd had no further problems. One of the easiest situations I've had to deal with as Tail-end Charlie.

A little further along, a rider found he had no one else in sight and feared he might have missed a corner marker. He made a U-turn, and soon after several of us saw him as we passed in opposite directions. I waited for him and heard his explanation of why he'd been going the wrong way. Being TEC is an easy job, today anyway!

A nice lunch at Raglan, with riders scattering between cafes and the bakery. Some made their own ways home. Tony led most of us back via Glen Afton and the west bank of the Waikato with a final farewell at Hampton Downs.

A great ride, I thoroughly enjoyed it.