Auckland Interlude. Preparing again

We are back home, working, though it feels a lot like a holiday too, so much more relaxing physically - my longest ride is down to the local supermarket and back. I'm glad we are having this break and Sau Keng feels the same.

We reckon we have done well! 1/3rd the way down the North Island! Our bodies are good - no aches and pains (that we did not already have) Our bikes performed well and our gear too. There are a few things we have identified as unnecessary - but not many.

There is a bit of work to do on the bikes. Mine has a little 'not quite right' feeling in the drivetrain and sometimes there is a persistent click. I clean everything - a mucky job I don't like much - the coasters on the derailer were not turning freely and the chain was a bit still. One of the clamps for my shoes was loose too. Hopefully it's good now. Clean the trike too and make a new flag - components from Bunnings, very much cheaper than from Assisted living.

The week has flown by - in a very relaxed way - but today is Friday. I feel a bit unprepared as we pack again. I add a couple of thermal singlets in case it gets cold further south - otherwise my gear is unchanged. Sau Keng changes more, but not a lot. We were both pretty happy with what we had on the northern leg of our ride.

Shervonne wants to document our journey and arrives early evening - along with a cameraman. They pick the front of the house for filming. The sunlight is too strong - we need a diffuser. My calico drop cloth for painting is hung between the house and a ladder. Good, but now the light is too flat. A large white board is positioned to reflect sunlight back. A bank of LED lights too... Finally the cameraman is satisfied and filming begins with Shervonne interviewing first me, then Sau Keng, then us together. Occasional pauses and retakes as cars, planes and a helicopter pass but the questions are easy and Shervonne seems happy with our answers and delivery. We are instructed to take more short videos on our journey - not as we ride, but when we pause to look around and reflect.

Shervonne wishes us well and leaves us to complete packing and get an early night, we intend to be on the road by 8 tomorrow. The weather forecast is good for the next couple of days - even predicting a tailwind for us on the Hauraki plains, but rain is coming later in the week.

Statistics

Distance: 573.1km

Climbed: 6950m

Time: 45:36 Hours and minutes moving according to Strava - I'm sure it undercounts!