So here goes day 3 and 4. What a mission!!! Day 3 We left Ahipara and I’m now struggling to remember what happened the pain is hiding my memories a lot of elevation gain happened 2200mm some awesome trails first main stop was Broadwood where I refuelled with a Len’s Pie (4 pies out of 5 for a plastic wrapped pie) and smashed a bottle of blue Powerade, a drink usually saved for the day after a big night out on the lash. Getting a bit of cramp in my legs so using electrolytes in my water a lot. There was an awesome downhill run into Kohukohu where we stopped for a coffee, but I swear the trail wasn’t mostly downhill like the book says. We realised the Rawene ferry was due so just jumped on our bikes and raced the 4kms to get there and it was free due to covid. Saved $2.
We got off the ferry and viola Jacqueline (Kates step Mum) was standing there, it was such a surprise and put a smile on the dial after a hard day. Thanks for coming out!!! Unfortunately we could only quickly catch up then get back on the saddle, straight to our next Chamois stop. If you haven’t asked I know you’ve been thinking it, how do you sit on a saddle for that long…. Chamois Cream applied regularly and padded shorts. Discretion is being thrown out the window and it’s more important to apply cream then standing on the side of the road with your butt blowing in the wind. So if you do see a cyclist pants down applying cream don’t ring the cops just accept that the cream is doing all kinds of important things.
From there we spun the legs to Opononi and then the climb up to Waipoua Forrest which was relentless. Fortunately Northland seems to shut down at about 6 and the roads were pretty quiet. We road through the Forrest which was awesome trees lining both sides, dusky light and native Forest smells the only noise was some birds and our freewheel hub clicking.
Tane Mahuta was closed so we got a photo outside the entrance and couldn’t see him but as we fanged it down hill we passed other massive Kauri’s. I loved this part!!
We got to Waipoua campground about 830 and had a much needed break. I wrote more than I though so will do day 4 in the next post.
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