Tra'y dropped me at the start of Cameron's Track about 10.20 am and continued on around the Summit and down Long Bay Rd to leave the car at the bottom of Hinewai, as she was to walk up through Hinewai.
Just as I was about to head in, 3 hiluxes and a peoplemover (of all things) wide-birthed me and peeled in, obviously a crew. They were slow on that first down, and dusty, so I let them get a good gap on me before heading off. Quick down then a steady climb ensued. Nice to peak and coast down again, steeper and faster as I rolled. Turned into Lavericks Ridge Rd, down around and up to Panama Rock. Stopped for a rest, snack and a phonecall here then headed off down Panama (fuck it's steep!). Brake, pause, brake, pause, never getting too fast once down the first bit; concern for overheating brakes... Nice rolling down the bottom half and then hung a hard right into LeBons Bay Rd, climbing, quite the grind. Only a car and motorbike down, and maybe 4 cars up, otherwise road to myself, birdsong (brown creepers higher up). Just past halfway up I explored into and checked out a good portion and back on Dawbers Rd. Stopped when it was heading down too much. Then back out to the main road and climbing again, grinding away, surprised how much climb it's actually got. None of these other bays are like Little Ak with its 3 km solid steep, they all have brief respites in their steeps, or like Okains, only a very short section of real steep.
Onto the Summit Rd finally and cruising, some level, some climbing, a pop and crackle of sport bikes, followed by a throb of a couple of Ducatis, and a couple of touring bikes, a couple cars. Once at the first high point looking over Akaroa Harbour I messaged T to let her know where I was. That was 12.30 and I thought I'd be a half hour to the car. Onwards around the Summit and there were a couple more climbs, including the highest of the ride, around 670m, and then hail. Squally hail, falling on me as descended to the Cabstand, then a bit more down through the top Hinewai carpark. Bombed down the rest of the seal and onto the gravel for a short climb, then descending Long Bay Rd, glorious views everywhere, a couple cars, then down into the valley, quite steep, a little loose, and fun. So much altitude relinquished. Finally to the car, exactly 1pm, as I'd guessed. Found the key where T had hidden it and loaded up. Had to wait about a half hour for her once back up the hill. Not bad timing, really.
Hefty, 25 kms and 530 more descent than the 1074 m climbed
