Eight of us were on the start line for the inaugural Pedal for Parkinsons ride in the Wairarapa on Saturday 21 February, one of the events being run as part of Wairarapa’s Huri Huri Bike Festival.

While there was a choice of 3 distances, we all rode the 65k course which involved two laps of the Gladstone – Carters Line- Millers Road – Longbush loop and then another 10ks to the top of Admirals Hill. The event started in the picturesque Gladstone Vineyard, and with plenty of parking available on the lawn of the vineyard, registration in the garden and fresh muffins and coffee for purchase, the atmosphere was very relaxed and quelled any pre-race jitters that might have been threatening.

It was a smallish field of around 85 riders with the Tarbabies singled out for our good showing (Frank and Jo Geoghegan, Gillian and Gregor Bruce, Jo Leech and Rick Holmes, Leta Kane and Kara Daly).  There was a long neutralised start and the faster guys at the front were itching to put the hammer down, which they finally got a chance to do along Carters Line. By the time the front bunch got to Millers Road, it was starting to shed riders rapidly (all Tarbabies included). With 5 of us regrouped at the top of Millers, we headed around the loop for the second time with another 3 riders from out of town who were happy to form a paceline and share the work. After a fast first lap, the second lap was ridden at a more leisurely (but paced) Sunday ride pace and we hit Admirals Hill with gas still in the tank. The wind was blowing at the top so it was a quick turnaround back to the halfway down point where the event organisers had put on a free bbq lunch for riders, and spectators were gathered to watch stage 4 of the Women’s Tour of NZ come through an hour or two later to their hilltop finish.

We chose to skip lunch on the hill in favour of a leisurely lunch at Gladstone vineyard, which was basking in 26 degree heat and full sun, before heading back to windy and wet Wellington. All agreed it was a great event and one we would do again. So if this event is run again next year, make a point of putting it in your event diary, and lets show Wairarapa what Wellington riders are made of. Whether it be the 65k, 48k or 18k straight up the hill event, there is something here for everyone and something a bit different from a Saturday spin around the bays and good training for the GrapeRide.