Join the Republic. Forgotten World Highway Camp to someone’s garden.

I got the feeling the road was called the Forgotten World Highway because there was going to be a world made here but they forgot to start building it. It was fantastic riding. Almost no cars, unreal views, good tough climbs and unbeatable descents. Some of the best riding has been along the ridges of the hills with the valley below. Photographs do it no justice at all but the memories will always remain. The cascading hills look as though they are set in a western movie. Ranches and farms occasionally appear but when they do they are set far back down winding trails.

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We had the intention of wild camping around 50 miles from our start point but just after 40 we rode through The Republic of Whangamomona which is a very small town of roughly 5 buildings that is famous for trying to become a separate country from New Zealand. It was unsuccessful but the locals kept up the pretence that it did break away. There is a hotel where for $2 you can get your passport stamped to say you officially entered and left the Republic. I now have this stamp which also allows me to come to the towns Republic day each year free of charge.

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It was in the hotel bar where we were offered a camp spot for the night in the front paddock of a farm owned by one of the barmaids. We cycled to the house and set up by a stream, next to a bridge and not to far from the sheep dip. We also have 3 very wooly neighbours checking out our tents. Sorry Dolly, your not coming in.