Hi folks, back on the road again in the early hours at 0600hrs. Certainly experienced the changing of seasons with a very chilly start where arm and leg warmers absolutely necessary. Great to see Dave (formerly known as Brian) and John were at the top of Albany hill to wish us well.
Headed straight up Highway 17 to Orewa in the dark with traffic steadily building, the friendly roads of the South Island seemed ages ago and the rumble of trucks somewhat disconcerting with some trying to get as close as possible to cyclists as they can.
With only four in the bunch your turn on the front comes around quickly and contrary to what you would expect this was the hilliest stage of the trip climbing in total 2200metres over the entire stage. At 82 km we stopped at the old house cafe (Dragon’s Rest) at Topuni in the middle of no where and had an excellent coffee and food, highly recommended next time you are travelling through.
Due to the early start and good planning we got to Paparoa ahead of the Tour of Northland elite group who caught us on the flats after Ruawai. Was interesting that the fourth member of our team, Tod was on the back of the elite bunch after he suspiciously went missing at Paparoa. Again the cry went out ‘ where’s Toddy.’
6 hours later and 189 km we finally rolled into Dargaville and then had a very long haul all 11 km to our accommodation at Bayley’s Beach. Good to hook up with the Tour of Northland crew and at the prize giving Tod organised with the race Director Steve COX to give the Bluff to Cape ride some advertising and carried a bucket around and got $456.20 cash donations. Even got a lucky old school 50c coin. Thanks Steve for your help with this and to everyone who dug into their pocket!!
Had a joint dinner with the crowd of lasagne and salad which was very enjoyable.
Three days to go with another hilly but shorter stage to Opononi tomorrow.
Pagey’s stats for the day were 7 road kill and two one lane bridges.
KWL
Toddy makes a break
Anymore hills to come?
Coffee stop...Pagey has just been told there's still 100ks to go
A very relaxed team
Still great weather . Having a good run into Dargaville
Dont look back Pagey
Northland Vista
Colin Mike and Gorter in a break ..stage 1 Tour of Nthland
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