Day 3 Ahipara to Rawene - we meet hills!

It's a beautiful morning as we leave Ahipara. We were planning to be on the road at 7, but last night I checked our plan and saw the 92km was if we rode directly from Ngapae holiday park. We actually have about 66km. Also I forgot to wash the cycles down after being on the beach - that takes me an hour as I clean and lubricate the chains too. It is 9:30 now.

We are riding up a stream, peaceful northland countryside - a bit 'messy' and unkempt - but relaxing. However there is always a climb at the end of a stream - this one has me working hard and happy to get to the top. 170m we find later, our first change of watershed.

View from top of our first climb

Riding in the countryside with corners and new constantly changing views is a very nice change from the endless beach. There have been a few decent climbs but I just went to a low gear and ground my way up - hard work but not extreme or distressing - though Sau Keng did not think so from my heavy breathing at the top. I'm not feeling as strong as usual though - maybe still tired from the beach? Or is it the extra weight?

Herekino, our first town today. Sau Keng looks cool and enthusiastic

It's easy to chat with people here. When we stopped to change battery a young man on a digger called us over " come into the shade" and of course we talked for a while. Shade was good, it's a very hot day. We had lunch at Broadwood and easily got through the 1.5l bottle of juice I bought. We met our digger friend again too.

One more hill, down the other side and we are beside the Hokianga harbor. Sau Keng thought we might get the 3pm ferry and has picked up the pace... Its okay, maybe I'm feeling a bit stronger 25km/hr is okay - for now anyway. We reach Kohukohu, 4km to the ferry wharf, it's 2:50, the cafe here is open - the Cafe it is :-) Sau Keng gets a coffee I have a half litre L&P, I get through much more liquid than her.

Cafe at Kotukotu, relaxing until ferry comes

We meet 3 riders from New Caledonia, they have just ridden the twin coast track and are also staying at Rawene. One has brought her lightweight folding cycle with her - it looks too small and light weight for touring but here she is.

We inspect the Rawene shops, which are all near the wharf, I buy a watermelon - I think I'll be able to eat it all myself despite all I have been drinking. Our home tonight is - up the hill of course - but it's much smaller hill than the others we have been over today. Our unit is very pretty but a bit small for two people with laptops, there is just one tiny table.

The cafes all close at 4, the chip shop is the only option for dinner. Definitely recommend this shop - good choice, generous helpings, free tomato sauce, excellent chips. Our host told us to take one of the side roads home as the climb is easier. Unfortunately I choose right instead of left. The road was very nice with historic houses, but getting back to the main road was short and STEEP. One helping of chips

71km today and 950m climbed. I enjoyed today's ride more than the days on the beach, which were long tests of endurance. Tomorrow will be similar to today - but today we had several 150m climbs and tomorrow we have two that go up to 450m - plus a "sharp 100m climb just past Omapere" I'm nervous.

Statistics

Distance: 69.7

Climbed: 945m

Time: 4:48