Day 5 Kauri Coast holiday park To Dargaville

Today should be an easy day, mostly downhill and only 40km :-) It's another beautiful morning, there is no wind, perfect for us.

We tour the camp, visit the eels and set off - immediately uphill. Our route takes us to SH 12, along the highway for 6km, then onto side roads. The SH12 was quiet and nice riding, the side road is gravel. Sau Keng debates with herself and choses the gravel.

It was a good choice, there is not much loose stone on this road, it's nice riding and much more relaxing than the highway. A few km along we see a suspension bridge over the Kaihu river. Eh? It's definitely built for walkers and cyclists. There is a date, 2022, but no name. This is one end of the track and it heads the wrong way for us, so we cycle over the bridge and back then carry on. (It's part of the Kaihu Valley Trail which will be a 35km walking and cycling track following sections of the former rail corridor from Dargaville to Donnelly’s Crossing and will eventually form part of the Ancient Kauri Trail from Maungaturoto to the Hokianga Harbour. The other end is near where we joined SH12 and another section is near Dargaville)

Our country road becomes alarmingly country - but the odd Great ride sign reassures us and the trail improves again. After about 8km along the valley floor we cross to another road which goes along the low hills on the side of the valley. It's a bit more work for me but great views and the road seems to be all ours. Really this is about as good as it gets.

A nice long glide down from the hills. We are almost there. Which way to go? I look at the map and left seems best. It takes us to back to the hills. I see some houses on a high ridge far away - yep the road takes us to them and now it really is all downhill into town. (Our planned route was actually to the right and would probably have skirted the last hill - it was only 50m, not a big deal)

Lunch, then shop for tonight and tomorrow as we will be staying in Turiwiri, working, about 6km from here. I stay with the bikes as Sau Keng shops, an unkempt man about my age starts a conversation. He says he is living off the grid somewhere Kaikohe way, an interesting guy to talk to. We want to buy a charging cable for Cory's GoPro, I try the supermarket then the Warehouse. I want a cable like a micro USB "but fatter" interrupts the young girl. "We don't have them - unless you want to buy a PS2 controller" It can wait until we get home.

This morning's ride was a joy. The 6km to our accommodation is probably the worst riding so far. SH12, dead straight into a strong headwind, more and faster traffic (though nothing alarming) I draft left and behind/beside Sau Keng, noticeably easier riding just here. It's also much easier when we are passing shelter belts - impressively so. Anyway only 4km and we arrive.

At least Google says we are at the right place, there is no number on the letter box! We ride in and see a small sign "Cabin" pointing right. Past a large shed another sign, and there it is, new and looking good. We let ourselves in - very nice. The unit does not have a table, but this was advertised, so Sau Keng asked the host who has loaned her camping table - it's huge, but fortunately fits in the room and gives us plenty of room for meals and working - we like it here :-)

Our home with kumara growing at the back

Unpack and have a shower, Sau Keng has started work already - I'll just lie down for minute...

Statistics

Distance 42.75km

Climb 389m

Time 3:33