Day 4 of TA - Even the coastline has hills
Distance: 88 km
Elevation gain: 1,011 metres
From the Kauri Holiday Park to the town of Matakohe
About 5hrs riding time, but nearly 7hrs elapsed with breaks from 8:00am to 3:00pm
I spent last night doing a load of washing and general bike cleaning chores. I was invited to have a burger (with the lot!) for dinner from another larger family group who wanted to hear about my cycling journey. I was more than happy to share my travels for a feed.
Overnight there was more rain and weather was again a major factor today. The low continues to send squalls across the west coast (bad) but also a strong northerly breeze (good).
I started around 8am and with wet muddy roads my clean cycling jersey lasted about 100m before it was mud spattered. Why did I bother washing? And also why does it matter if my jersey is dirty? I'm just weird.
The first waypoint today was the town of Dargaville. This was a 32km ride with the usual climbs and fast downhills. A lot of gravel roads through dairy farm land, and ending with a 3km rail trail into town. The gravel roads are a real lottery. Sometimes they are rough gravel the size of golf balls and other times they are smooth and hard packed (almost better than rough tarmac).
Elevation gain: 1,011 metres
From the Kauri Holiday Park to the town of Matakohe
About 5hrs riding time, but nearly 7hrs elapsed with breaks from 8:00am to 3:00pm
I spent last night doing a load of washing and general bike cleaning chores. I was invited to have a burger (with the lot!) for dinner from another larger family group who wanted to hear about my cycling journey. I was more than happy to share my travels for a feed.
Overnight there was more rain and weather was again a major factor today. The low continues to send squalls across the west coast (bad) but also a strong northerly breeze (good).
I started around 8am and with wet muddy roads my clean cycling jersey lasted about 100m before it was mud spattered. Why did I bother washing? And also why does it matter if my jersey is dirty? I'm just weird.
The first waypoint today was the town of Dargaville. This was a 32km ride with the usual climbs and fast downhills. A lot of gravel roads through dairy farm land, and ending with a 3km rail trail into town. The gravel roads are a real lottery. Sometimes they are rough gravel the size of golf balls and other times they are smooth and hard packed (almost better than rough tarmac).
One recurring theme (so far) on my ride is being chased by dogs. Not on day 1 along the beach, but days 2, 3 and 4 (today) there have been dogs running out of the yard and chasing after me. Today was a huge monster that chased me for quite a ways before giving up. Just lucky I was moving fast enough. I'm not sure what happens when they catch me. Stay tuned.
I had a second breakfast at a cafe in Dargaville around 10am and plotted my route for the rest of the day. The easy way is to continue south along the coast and catch a ferry from Pouto Point to Helensville across Kaipara Harbour. Unfortunately the ferry only runs when it is booked for private charters at a cost of $900. The more cyclists in your group the cheaper it is for everyone. I'm a group of one, so I would have to pay the total myself. The Tour Aotearoa has a bypass around the Kaipara Harbour - and that is my route. It's a long way round!
From Dargaville I rode to Ruawai and Matakohe - all up about 55km. I thought this would follow the coastline and be relatively flat. But of course it wasn't. There were some flat sections and the strong breeze on my back helped a lot. About 1pm a squall came through and the wind really picked up. Brutal rain and wind. Luckily it was blowing me south.
After one too many hills, I made it to Matakohe at 3pm. At 4pm another squall came through - this time with small hail. Glad I was inside, warm and toasty.
A couple (Murray and Louise) were staying in the unit next door tonight, and in a strange twist of fate, we crossed paths on the ferry to Rawene two days ago. Tonight, we decided to have dinner together at the B&B down the road - great conversation and plenty of cycling travel tips for the road ahead. They even paid for dinner and wouldn't accept any of my offers to pay my share.
Today's theme song is by Silverchair - Straight Lines (or colloquially 'Sideways' as I've been prone to say)
There was an excellent long straight section along Dunns Rd today heading into the town of Ruawai. Downhill then flat off into the distance. A strong breeze on my back, no cars just me humming along. Awesome. There should be more of this kind of cycling !
My first suspension bridge of the Tour, on a rail trail heading towards Dargaville. Notice my dirty riding jersey😉.
I had a second breakfast at a cafe in Dargaville around 10am and plotted my route for the rest of the day. The easy way is to continue south along the coast and catch a ferry from Pouto Point to Helensville across Kaipara Harbour. Unfortunately the ferry only runs when it is booked for private charters at a cost of $900. The more cyclists in your group the cheaper it is for everyone. I'm a group of one, so I would have to pay the total myself. The Tour Aotearoa has a bypass around the Kaipara Harbour - and that is my route. It's a long way round!
From Dargaville I rode to Ruawai and Matakohe - all up about 55km. I thought this would follow the coastline and be relatively flat. But of course it wasn't. There were some flat sections and the strong breeze on my back helped a lot. About 1pm a squall came through and the wind really picked up. Brutal rain and wind. Luckily it was blowing me south.
After one too many hills, I made it to Matakohe at 3pm. At 4pm another squall came through - this time with small hail. Glad I was inside, warm and toasty.
A couple (Murray and Louise) were staying in the unit next door tonight, and in a strange twist of fate, we crossed paths on the ferry to Rawene two days ago. Tonight, we decided to have dinner together at the B&B down the road - great conversation and plenty of cycling travel tips for the road ahead. They even paid for dinner and wouldn't accept any of my offers to pay my share.
Today's theme song is by Silverchair - Straight Lines (or colloquially 'Sideways' as I've been prone to say)
There was an excellent long straight section along Dunns Rd today heading into the town of Ruawai. Downhill then flat off into the distance. A strong breeze on my back, no cars just me humming along. Awesome. There should be more of this kind of cycling !
My first suspension bridge of the Tour, on a rail trail heading towards Dargaville. Notice my dirty riding jersey😉.
At Dargaville, I've got to take the long way round the Kaipara Harbour. I rejoin the normal route after Helensville on the way to Auckland.
Just before the town of Ruawai. Looking back along Dunns Road - a straight line on the map and even better riding it with the wind on your back.
Photo control point 4 - Matakohe Post and Telegraph Office.
My room for tonight at Matakohe Holiday Park. About 30min after this photo was taken it started to rain and hail.
It was great to have a chat with you this afternoon, we are looking forward to the next when the stars are in alignment
ReplyDeleteLove the insights as to your mental state as well as the physical Anthony! And local color like the dogs just makes it more real! Great work! Thank you for sharing! W
ReplyDeleteIt's the bliss moments and the people you meet along the way that get you to the next leg...
ReplyDeleteFantastic that you can meet people and chat along the way. And make it inside before it hails! Whilst I like it when you say "sideways" when hearing the song, for this trip, "straight lines" is preferable. Enjoying your posts!
ReplyDeleteHi Anthony. I’m really enjoying your blog. You write very well. I’m just reflecting that, if I’m enjoying it so much and you’re experiencing such tough conditions and being attacked by four legged monsters, am I experiencing Schadenfreude? Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteI think you are experiencing the textbook definition of Schadenfreude. "Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others".
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