Day 14 Otorohanga to Auckland ..191km

Today's epic ride started at 7am with the knowledge we had a 190km bike ride ahead of us. The guys were primed and ready to go, even though we may not have looked like it when our alarms rattled off at 6am . With the van packed we knew at the end of this leg we would get to see family and sleep in our own beds tonight.... which was great motivation for the day.
The morning was much the same as most previous mornings, where the temperature was cool enough for the use of arm warmers. About 10mins into the ride we were greeted by a very slight misty rain but it soon came and went. Phew..we thought our 100% track record of fine weather was in jeopardy.
However this was short lived and Ngarawahia and it proceeded to rain....oh well it had to happen.To date we have been very fortunate with the lack of mechanical problems, but today I punctured for the second time , the first in Wellington and this time in Mercer.With the puncture sorted
the guys were back into their work setting a cracking pace. For a change there were few mountains to climb and a relatively flattish course. Before we knew it we had arrived at Pokeno for our destination coffee stop some 120km in the ride.

Tom (son of Kim) Mike (son of Steve) and Roman had arranged to meet us at the Bombay Hills and ride with us into town. It was great to see them all and I would have to say it was nice for all of us to sit on...albeit at race pace at times.
On the way in to town, Pagey called in to see Sarah so it was decided we would catch the 2.30pm ferry with our destination the Nth Shore Hospice in Takapuna. It was great to be greeted at Devonport by the 3 Sth Island riders, Big Al, Geoff and Brian aka Dave. A big thanks to Carol and Gaynor and all of the Staff at the Hospice for putting on a great spread and again thanks to Ian from the House of Travel Takapuna for your support.
Tomorrow is a rest day. Our next leg is Auckland to Dargaville on Thursday approx 176km.

Here I have collated some figures since leaving Bluff on the 2nd March.........

Distance to date 1,789.57km
Time 62hrs 38mins
Elevation gain 15,299m
Av Speed 28.6km
Av Cadence 78

Thanks for reading,
Steve.