Day 6 of TA - An open house
Distance: 95 km
Elevation gain: 1,529 metres
From the town of Kaiwaka to the town of Helensville
About 6.5hrs riding time, and 8.5hrs elapsed from 7:00am to 3:30pm
I packed just about everything last night so I could make a quick getaway this morning. A simple banana and iced coffee milk for breakfast meant I was rolling out of Kaiwaka at 7am.
The first leg was 15km along Highway 1 to Te Hana. There was plenty of traffic but a reasonable shoulder most of the way. Some of the bridges got a bit tight. At Te Hana I went to the cafe and bought morning tea (chocolate muffin) and lunch (sandwiches) but I didn't feel like a coffee so it was a brief pitstop. Food was stashed in my frame bike bag, and I was off.
The second leg was 70km through back roads to Kaukapakapa. This had climbs above 100m every 10 km and really pushed me. There were more sealed roads than I expected, but 50km of gravel was tough.
The rain squalls continued all day, about every 2 hours. It was a cold and windy day so I kept my rain jacket on most of the day. During the big climbs I just undid the front zipper. At the top of the climb the zipper was done up for the very cold and sometimes wet ride down the other side. The wind today was the most brutal of the trip so far. Very strong, cold headwinds made hard going up and down the climbs. It makes we worry about the South Island legs of the tour!
At this point I feel like the wind will be the biggest factor in this trip. I can accept riding up and down hills in the sun and rain, on sealed or gravel roads. But a blustery headwind is my most feared challenge.
I ran out of water half way through the day and started thinking about pulling into a farm for a top up. But as luck would have it, there was a school in the middle of nowhere. I parked out front and tentatively walked into the office with my water bottles and helmet still on. I think the Principal met me, and took one look and pointed me in the direction of the teachers lunchroom and was very welcoming. Maybe I'm not the first thirsty cyclist at her school?
The chocolate muffin was devoured at the top of one climb and the sandwiches were forced down while my bike leaned against a stop sign at a T-intersection somewhere along the ride. Both were quick stops as I was still eager to get to the hotel in Kaukapakapa.
Finally I could sense the end and battled against the strong wind to cruise into Kaukapakapa. Only to find the hotel closed! I had an inkling this may be the case because I didn't get any response from my earlier calls or emails. The local shopkeeper confirmed that the hotel only does meals now. I wish they would update their website.
The third and final leg today involved a 10km ride on Highway 16 from Kaukapakapa to Helensville. This looked reasonably straightforward on the map, and it was - except there was very little shoulder and plenty of traffic (cars, buses and trucks). I took breaks often when there was a safe spot to pause. And only started riding when there was a gap in traffic. I think one truck driver even gave me a wave because he could see that I was waiting for a gap.
Once in Helensville I needed to sort out a place to stay for the night. I parked up in the main shopping street under an awning and looked at options as another rain squall rolled through. Some motels offered hot spring spa baths. That was very appealing to me, but the google reviews of these motels were scathing. I rode off in the direction of some more highly rated venues and spotted a B&B.
The B&B sign was still out front and there were cars in the front driveway so it looked promising. Unfortunately I'd stumbled into an open house event at the B&B. The real estate agent thought I wanted to inspect the property! I said I wanted to stay the night in the B&B and he kindly phoned the owners for me. He assured me that I could stay and all would be good. Meanwhile potential buyers walked through the property. I waited but still hadn't got confirmation from the owners.
Turns out the real estate agent was correct. The B&B owners, Wayne and Sharon are lovely and I'm settled in an absolutely fantastic pad. Same cost as last night in Kaiwaka, but could not be more different. This is heaven!!
Elevation gain: 1,529 metres
From the town of Kaiwaka to the town of Helensville
About 6.5hrs riding time, and 8.5hrs elapsed from 7:00am to 3:30pm
I packed just about everything last night so I could make a quick getaway this morning. A simple banana and iced coffee milk for breakfast meant I was rolling out of Kaiwaka at 7am.
The first leg was 15km along Highway 1 to Te Hana. There was plenty of traffic but a reasonable shoulder most of the way. Some of the bridges got a bit tight. At Te Hana I went to the cafe and bought morning tea (chocolate muffin) and lunch (sandwiches) but I didn't feel like a coffee so it was a brief pitstop. Food was stashed in my frame bike bag, and I was off.
The second leg was 70km through back roads to Kaukapakapa. This had climbs above 100m every 10 km and really pushed me. There were more sealed roads than I expected, but 50km of gravel was tough.
The rain squalls continued all day, about every 2 hours. It was a cold and windy day so I kept my rain jacket on most of the day. During the big climbs I just undid the front zipper. At the top of the climb the zipper was done up for the very cold and sometimes wet ride down the other side. The wind today was the most brutal of the trip so far. Very strong, cold headwinds made hard going up and down the climbs. It makes we worry about the South Island legs of the tour!
At this point I feel like the wind will be the biggest factor in this trip. I can accept riding up and down hills in the sun and rain, on sealed or gravel roads. But a blustery headwind is my most feared challenge.
I ran out of water half way through the day and started thinking about pulling into a farm for a top up. But as luck would have it, there was a school in the middle of nowhere. I parked out front and tentatively walked into the office with my water bottles and helmet still on. I think the Principal met me, and took one look and pointed me in the direction of the teachers lunchroom and was very welcoming. Maybe I'm not the first thirsty cyclist at her school?
The chocolate muffin was devoured at the top of one climb and the sandwiches were forced down while my bike leaned against a stop sign at a T-intersection somewhere along the ride. Both were quick stops as I was still eager to get to the hotel in Kaukapakapa.
Finally I could sense the end and battled against the strong wind to cruise into Kaukapakapa. Only to find the hotel closed! I had an inkling this may be the case because I didn't get any response from my earlier calls or emails. The local shopkeeper confirmed that the hotel only does meals now. I wish they would update their website.
The third and final leg today involved a 10km ride on Highway 16 from Kaukapakapa to Helensville. This looked reasonably straightforward on the map, and it was - except there was very little shoulder and plenty of traffic (cars, buses and trucks). I took breaks often when there was a safe spot to pause. And only started riding when there was a gap in traffic. I think one truck driver even gave me a wave because he could see that I was waiting for a gap.
Once in Helensville I needed to sort out a place to stay for the night. I parked up in the main shopping street under an awning and looked at options as another rain squall rolled through. Some motels offered hot spring spa baths. That was very appealing to me, but the google reviews of these motels were scathing. I rode off in the direction of some more highly rated venues and spotted a B&B.
The B&B sign was still out front and there were cars in the front driveway so it looked promising. Unfortunately I'd stumbled into an open house event at the B&B. The real estate agent thought I wanted to inspect the property! I said I wanted to stay the night in the B&B and he kindly phoned the owners for me. He assured me that I could stay and all would be good. Meanwhile potential buyers walked through the property. I waited but still hadn't got confirmation from the owners.
Turns out the real estate agent was correct. The B&B owners, Wayne and Sharon are lovely and I'm settled in an absolutely fantastic pad. Same cost as last night in Kaiwaka, but could not be more different. This is heaven!!
Today's theme song is by INXS - New Sensation
Live baby Live / I've gotta new sensation!
Well not quite entirely new, but something I've not experienced since my last big bike trip. The 8hrs in the saddle today has taken its toll and I've got a very tender tushie. Think monkeys with red bums…
Big day, now in Helensville. Maybe I can get a photo of that stupid ferry after all.
Te Hana Cafe - great sandwiches and chocolate muffins. The blue sky was temporary today.
Tauhoa School came to my rescue and topped up my water bottles. Lucky I didn't cause the school into lockdown with my helmet and outfit.
Live baby Live / I've gotta new sensation!
Well not quite entirely new, but something I've not experienced since my last big bike trip. The 8hrs in the saddle today has taken its toll and I've got a very tender tushie. Think monkeys with red bums…
Big day, now in Helensville. Maybe I can get a photo of that stupid ferry after all.
Te Hana Cafe - great sandwiches and chocolate muffins. The blue sky was temporary today.
Tauhoa School came to my rescue and topped up my water bottles. Lucky I didn't cause the school into lockdown with my helmet and outfit.
It is hard to see in the photo, but the road continues up and summits at the red arrow. This can be demoralising...the climbing continues.
Disappointing is an understatement. More of a monument to yesteryear.
What an epic day! And then some!!!
ReplyDeleteThankfully wind won’t be in play on the South Island with Rob as your windbreak. Youngest leads right?
Enjoy the digs tonight, sound perfect after a big day.
Glad to hear that this big day of narrow roads and big climbs is finished, hopefully the wind is a bit kinder tomorrow. Are you on schedule, do you have any rest days planned to give the downstairs area a bit of a break?
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you have found a nice place to get a good kip and recharge for next stage. We could use some rain ,nothing in gauge since August!. Hope you can get a more friendly wind tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSouth island the peleton will form to take away the wind...at least half of the time.
ReplyDelete