It was all go on Sunday 22 November 2009 as people amassed for the big opening of Great Expectations, the first track on Project Rameka.
Happenings commenced at 10 a.m. sharp with some track titivation. Many thanks to Ryan, Martin, Andy, Marie, Richard, (and around the corner out of view) Albie, Fil, Ricky, Corina, Patrick, Brent, James, Bronnie, Simon, and Jonathan.
A special mention must go to Seamus’ dog Harry, who kept a sharp eye on all proceedings and made sure the workers kept their noses to the grindstone. Thanks for sending in the delegation Seamus.
By noon, everyone was feeling peckish. Time for the barbeque! Rough Guide New Zealand author Paul Whitfield brought all his investigative skills to bear and managed to find the project in time to join in with the opening, despite being told by the information centre that he needed to go back to the top of Takaka Hill and travel along to Canaan Downs to find it – “I think”! Not to be deterred (he’d just driven past Canaan as he drove over the hill from Mot), Paul put his bloodhound nose to work and sniffed out the barbeque and the speeches. (Paul stayed on to help with more track tidying in the afternoon before trying out the primo flow of Great Expectations in both directions with Jonathan – Good on ya Paul.)
Thanks to Ricky Ward’s most excellent speech outlining the fundamentals of this brilliant track no more needs to be written about it in this blog – Ricky’s speech says it all, so here is that speech:
Ricky%20Ward%20Project%20Rameka%20speech%20Nov%2009.doc
And what Project Rameka event could be complete without … chocolate cake!! Thanks Marie, you are the most brilliant star of a cook, we’re sure everyone who got to sample the cake would agree.
Ricky and Corina Ward managed to keep four eyes covering all the action at the track opening:
And the track itself? Great Expecations is sweet as a lolly. It flows like a small child down a luge at the water park, or if you prefer, like a diamond ring down the bathroom sink hole – but who are we to say? Come along some time and try it out for yourselves.
Phil Castle and Patrick Ward give it a whirl on Great Expecations:
Hey guys,
My good friend Jack and I had cause to be heading over the hill in November (the 17th, actually), as our adventurous ladies were running the Heaphy, and we were heading up to meet them at the northern end. We debated whether it would be reckless and irresponsible to grab a run down one of the country's finest tracks on the way past. We even had a spare driver to meet us in Takaka so it seemed rude not to. We were rewarded with the surprise discovery of Great Expectations and an absolutely stunning ride. Great kudos to all involved in the creation of this piece of two wheel nirvana! And what a coup to happen upon it just before the official opening, on a beautiful day, and we made it to pick up the girls with hours to spare! Fantastic. The Rameka has gone from 5 star classic, to out of this world, top class, unmissable ride.
Tino Pai!