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Rides |
Riding Groups
Group 1 - Wise Owls
They know that a straight line is the shortest distance to the coffee shop
Group 2 - Komodo Dragons
Surprisingly quick, sharp tongued assassins who strike early then wait for you to fade before moving in for the kill
Group 3 - Silver Foxes
Well rounded individuals, born to ride semi-hard
Group 4 - Ferrets
Lithe, athletic, difficult to catch and harder to like
Our Ride Ethos - We're all about safety, fun, improving fitness and comradeship. Group riding is about learning/experiencing riding with other cyclists around you.
If you are looking for ultra competitive riding and racing, there are probably other groups that would better suit your needs, but please get in touch to discuss what you're after. During the last third of the ride, some riders may wish to increase tempo, but no-one will be left to ride home alone (unless they are winning!!). |
Wednesday Rides
MATAMATA RECREATIONAL PEDDLERS' WEDNESDAY MORNING RIDES - START TIME 9AM
If you're looking for social riding, here's the group for you! Matamata Recreational Peddlers have weekly rides on Wednesday mornings leaving from the Matamata Primary School flagpole on Broadway at 09:00am. Most of the riders have e-bikes and the focus is on getting out and being active, rather than covering distances. The ride route and groups will be determined on the day. For more details email Neal Butt nealbitunes@gmail.com
PEDDLERS' WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ROAD RIDE - START TIME NOW 3:00PM
With the days shortening and all the daylight having been saved over summer, the Wednesday evening rides now leave from outside the Catholic Chiurch on Hohaia St at 3:00pm. The ride route and groups will be determined on the day. You must have a rear light as a minimum but we strongly advise that you have both front & rear. We'll be back in town before it gets too dark.
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Sunday Rides
PEDDLERS' SUNDAY ROAD RIDE - START TIME NOW 09:00AM
The Sunday morning rides leave from Matamata Primary School flagpole on Broadway at 09:00am. Please be there at least 5 minutes before the ride is due to start for a quick ride briefing prior to departure. Please refer to the Location Maps page for the start location.
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WINTER SEASON START TIMES
WEDNESDAY MORNING RECREATIONAL PEDDLERS RIDE 9:00AM - Contact Neal nealbitunes@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS NOW 3:00PM
SUNDAY RIDES NOW 9:00AM
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SUNDAY RIDES
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DON'T FORGET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!!!
Sunday, 29th September 2024
START TIME 9:00AM
TESTING THE WATER
This one will have the sweat will be coming off you like you were a migrant worker in a Green Party bike shop. I don't know how much you know about town water supplies, but this ride takes us past the Morrinsville supply dam. Those of you who have been to Morrinsville will know that the water pressure there is fantastic! The key, I'm reliably assured, is good head. Hard to get, unless you park your pond halfway up a bloody mountain. That's very good for the old hose in Morrinsville, but not much fun for old hose on a bike. Anyway, my point is, that we're riding past the dam (dammit), and we keep climbing. Then there's a heap more hills after that. It's like the Tour de France without the great cheese and silly accents. Both Morrinsville and I will be feeling the pressure. Oh and when I say I, I mean you, because, I'm doing something (anything) else. Enjoy. Won't see you Sunday
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, R Gunn, S Landsdowne Rd, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Milliken, R Kiwitahi Station, R Hutchinson, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Landsdowne, straight Gunn, L Peria and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 51 km)
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, R Gunn, S Landsdowne Rd, L Morrinsville-Walton, L Chepmell, R Bell, R Morrinsville-Walton, L Kiwitahi Station, R Hutchinson, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Landsdowne, S Gunn, L Peria and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 60km)
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, R Gunn, S Landsdowne, L Morrinsville-Walton, L Chepmell, L Waterworks, U-turn end of Waterworks, R Chepmell, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Kiwitahi Station, R Hutchinson, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Landsdowne, S Gunn, L Peria and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 70.8 km)
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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Sunday, 6th October 2024
START TIME 9:00AM
The Eagle Has Landed
After a couple of weeks of hard graft, I'd better lay off the hills for a week to get back in your good books. Therefore it's time for flat roads and some sweet 70's country rock legend double entendres. If you're recovering from another Tequila Sunrise, you should check out The New Kid In Town, the veritable Johnny-come-lately of Peddlers' rides (different, according to Ange, from the Kevvy-Come-Quickly). You may start with a Peaceful Easy Feeling, but it won't be long until The Heat Is On (did I mention we're doing solo hits too?) and you're living Life In The Fast Lane. There will be no Wasted Time (unlike the previous 6 years of government) and The Boys Of Summer (the Ferrets that is) will likely be Already Gone (like hope in the eyes of a first home buyer). Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach, (who can afford the petrol to get there?!?!?), so settle in for The Long Run and Take It To The Limit (or as close to the limit as you feel like anyway). Long After The Thrill Is Gone (like a Green MPs career after a hard day's shopping), you'll be rewarded with a seat at the Sad Cafe, where the Lyin' Eyes and mouths will be out in force (cyclists, not govt ministers), and cycling Desperado(s) will tell stories of how they've been out ridin' fences, for so long now.
Life's Been Good so far, so what's the reason for all these terrible Eagles' puns? Seemed like a great idea, but right now I Can't Tell You Why (like why didn't Sotutu get picked).
See you Sunday
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Springs, L Old Te Aroha, L Armadale, S Wardville, L SH27, L Walker, R Ward, L Waharoa East and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 36km as the song fades)
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Okauia Springs, L Old Te Aroha, L Shaftesbury, L Manawaru, R Baker, L Alexandra, Immediate R Diagonal, S Kereone (across SH27 with care), L Campbell, R Walton, L Landsdowne, S Gunn, L Peria, and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 63.4km as the desperado rides fences)
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Okauia Springs, L Old Te Aroha, L Shaftesbury, L Manawaru, R Baker, L Alexandra, Immediate R Diagonal, S Kereone (across SH27 with care), L Campbell, R Walton, S Morrinsville Walton, L Piakoiti, S Henry Watson, L Matai, R Peria, and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 72.8km as the eagle swoops).
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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Sunday, 13th October 2024
**********START TIME 09:00AM************
BUNGY'S JUMP
It's Spring, so bounce your butt out of bed and plunge headlong into the Old Te Aroha Gorge, where the Great Chasm of Bungard awaits! Dont worry though, you'll be snapped back up to the top of the hill faster than Brycey swiping right on the only woman left at a speed dating night. From there you'll be stretched out over the Manawaru Plains like a Peddler in a 10 year old club jersey (am I right Wayne??!?!?!). Back at the cafe I'm sure you'll agree, Bungy will leave you cored. Right, that's enough elastic jokes, any more and I'll be (rubber) banned. If I'm honest they're starting to repeat on me anyway
S__e__e____y__o__u____S__u__n__d__a__y.__Se_e____yo_u____S_u_n_d_ay. See__yo_u__S_u_nday. See you Sunday.
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Okauia Springs, R Old Te Aroha, U-turn at Douglas, L Armadale, S Wardville, L SH27, L Walker, R Ward, L Waharoa East and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 39km)
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Okauia Springs, R Old Te Aroha, U-turn at Barton, L Shaftesbury, L Manawaru, R Baker, L Waghorn, R Wardville, L SH27, L Walker, R Ward, L Waharoa East and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 64km)
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, straight across Broadway to Vosper (with care), R Rawhiti, L Tower, R Okauia Springs, R Old Te Aroha, U-turn at Bungards Corner, L Shaftesbury, L Manawaru, R Baker, L Waghorn, R Wardville, L SH27, L Walker, R Ward, L Waharoa East and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 72.7 km)
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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Sunday, 20th October 2024
PEDDLERS' TRAIL DAY - TAURANGA
START TIME 10:00AM
For those who are interested in a change of pace, dust off the trail bikes and meet at the Crossing at Tauriko at 10am. We're riding from the Crossing to the Mount, having a cuppa and a bite to eat, then home via Matapihi. Bring the family along for a great day out in the sunny Bay! (Approx. 18km each way)
To get to the start point just follow the map below. Turn right towards the Crossing at the round-about at the bottom of the hill after Tauriko, then pull in to the parking
area as shown in the photo of the black ute. See you there for a 10am start!
Those not interested in that Mount, we've got another one just for you! Things are heating up below......
PEDDLERS' ROAD RIDE
START TIME 9:00AM
THE FIERY PITS OF MT DOOM!
And we're off! There are challenges aplenty climbing headlong into Mordor (well, Whitehall anyway). Probably the only Peddlers' ride which lasts longer than a Lord of The Rings movie, this will severely test the Fellowship. Who will be crowned king when we return? I will make you now this solemn promise - it won't be me. I'll be dragon my sorry (insert another more polite word for arse here) up those hills like a tortoise making sweet love to a sloth on a cold day. I won't be busting a gut, because my ring too, is precious. I'll be taking "Thou Shalt Not Pass!!!" to a whole new level and I should be at RH by 2pm Tuesday if anyone would like to join me. I'll be the one who looks like he just lost a battle with an Orc. See you Sunday/Tuesday
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, L Smith, R Sheffield, R Station, L Matai, R Henry Watson, S Piakoiti, L Piakonui, R Paratu, R Morrinsville-Walton, R Landsdowne, S Gunn, L Matai, L Station, L Kowhai, R College, L Firth, R Tainui, L Arawa and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 45km).
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, L Smith, R Sheffield, R Station, L Matai, R Puketutu, R SH29, R Taotaoroa, R Buckland, L Puketutu, L Matai, L Station, L Kowhai, R College, L Firth, R Tainui, L Arawa and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 55km).
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, L Smith, R Sheffield, R Station, L Matai, R Puketutu, R SH29, R Taotaoroa, L Karapiro, R Whitehall, U-turn at Brunskill (Whitehall School), L Karapiro, L Buckland, L Puketutu, L Matai, L Station, L Kowhai, R College, L Firth, R Tainui, L Arawa and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 68km).
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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Sunday, 27th October 2024
START TIME 9:00AM
THE MORGAN GRINDER
Blow out some cobwebs on Morgan Road! Earn that cake at RH by grinding your way through this one! A great advertisement for electric bikes, I'm picking there'll be more discontent than an electric car owner who just paid their first RUCs. This one's a bit like a blind date. You go into it with a little bit of hope, but your heart sinks when you meet at the starting point and you realise what you'll be riding later. No more than 10 minutes after you started you wish you were having your back waxed by a naked sumo wrestler, whilst covered in jelly and sawdust singing "Unchained Melody". Halfway up the second hill, you find out there's no alcohol in your drink (bottle) and a night of unbridled passion with your mother-in-law seems like it would be a pleasant distraction. By the end, as you pull into Robert Harris, more tired than a Green MP trying to sort the payroll at a bike shop, you'll struggle to slot your bike into the bike stand (when did my bike get so HEAVY??) 73 minutes after everyone else arrived, and you'll wish that you had instead decided to go well, anywhere else really. Despite this, people keep telling me it's good for me. I must confess that I only half listen, because they're only half my bloody weight and they've had 73 more minutes at the cafe than me. Please stop telling me what's good for me. If I'd wanted self-righteous pr1ck5 telling me what to do I'd have voted for them! See you Sunday
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, R Gunn, straight Landsdowne, L Morrinsville-Walton, L Piakoiti, straight Henry Watson, L Matai, R Station, L Kowhai, R College, L Firth, R Tainui, L Arawa and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 35 km) .
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, L Peria, R Morgan, L Piakoiti, R Piakonui, R Paratu, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Kiwitahi Station, R Milliken, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Piakoiti, S Henry Watson, L Matai, R Station and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 63km).
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabouts with care) S Peria, L Peria, R Morgan, L Piakoiti, R Piakonui, R Paratu, L Morrinsville-Walton, L Chepmell, R Bell, R Morrinsville-Walton, L Kiwitahi Station, R Milliken, L Morrinsville-Walton, R Piakoiti, S Henry Watson, L Matai, R Station and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 72km).
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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Sunday, 3rd November 2024
START TIME 9:00AM
Hens' Teeth
Don't chicken out! Flying the coop when the cock crows at 9am sharp we'll be off to visit the iconic Ingham's factory. Not sure what they do there, but some rooster told me that every chick who went through the gates got laid, so I presume it's much like that night club which used to be on the main street of Matamata. Anyway, be on the lookout for chickens crossing the road. I don't know why; never thought to ask. Don't forget to look after your riding mates, so if you think you're up to it, go free range at the front for a bit. Don't baulk, baulk, baulk at the challenge, but try not to be too cocky, ruffle any feathers, or scramble the group. You should only put the heat on until someone cracks (sometimes it only takes 3 minutes before it gets hard - right Kev?). Remember to always be chicken abreast of, and behind you to make sure all of our Peddlers eggs are in one basket. If there's a gap in the group when you're chicken, fillet. On the sunny-side though, this ride's not too bad. The hills aren't eggxactly double yolkers, you'll go over-easy and won't be fried by the time you get back for a cuppa (and, if you're absolutely plucked, a lay down). As far as rides go, this one's hard to beat. I'm off, these yolks are rotten, the pay is poultry and someone's bound to cry fowl on the joke about the night club. I'm far enough down the pecking order as it is, without getting my wings clipped, so I'm going before someone pokes their beak in and tells me to cluck off. See you Sunday. Cock-a-doodle-do join us!
Route 1 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, R Gunn, R Landsdowne, R Link, L SH27, R Mowbray, L Tower, R Armadale, R Old Te Aroha, R Okauia Springs, L Tower and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 46.0km as the egg rolls)
Route 2 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, R Gunn, S Landsdowne, R Morrinsville-Walton, L Campbell, R Kereone, S Diagonal, S McLaren, R Manawaru, R Wardville, L SH27, L Walker, R Ward, L Waharoa East and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 53.5km as the chick flicks)
Route 3 - Check it out here!
Start Matamata Primary School flagpole, L Broadway, (straight through roundabout with care) S Peria, R Gunn, S Landsdowne, R Morrinsville-Walton, L Campbell, L Kereone, R Maungakawa, R SH27, L Ngarua, R Waihekau, R Piraunui, L School, R Manawaru, L Shaftesbury, R Te Aroha-Gordon, S Old Te Aroha, R Okauia Springs, L Tower and home to Robert Harris.
(Approx. 74.2km as the cock limps).
Tail End Charlie this week - TBD on the day
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