Day 9 of TA - Joining the convent ?

Distance: 86 km
Elevation gain: 125 metres
From Miranda Springs to Te Aroha
About 4.5hrs riding time, and 6hrs elapsed from 7:00am to 1:00pm

A few wins late yesterday worth mentioning in today's blog:
Win 1: There was a food truck on site selling hamburgers at dinner time.  I was set to crack out my camp food and rustle up some noodles and tin chicken. But when I heard about the food truck it was a no brainer.  Cheeseburger and fries hit the spot - especially when I didn't need to cook.
Win 2: I had one of the best night's sleep after spending a good 30 minutes in the hot mineral springs just before bed.  I drifted off to sleep around 8.30 and woke at 5am.  I'd pre-packed so there was not too much to do in the morning.  Breakfast consisted of 2 bananas washed down with an iced coffee.  These had been purchased earlier the day before because there is nothing at the Miranda Springs except the caravan park.

Back to today...I continued along the Hauraki Rail Trail.  Did I mention this was awesome?  Along the coast, flat, fast and so pretty by the ocean.  Then when it turns south the green farmland and mountains.  A really good day.

The first leg was around the Firth of Thames coastline, from Miranda Springs towards Thames for 40km. There was a strong northerly breeze and the riding was a mix of headwinds and crosswinds.  But it was flat along the rail trail and the rain stayed away but it was cold with the wind.

The second leg (40km) was heading south, inland, away from the coast, to Te Aroha.  Even though this was inland it stayed remarkably flat and straight, with the added bonus of a strong tailwind urging me on.  I felt like I was riding an e-bike at times today.  

About 20km into this second leg was the town of Paeroa, where the NZ famous and classic Lemon and Paeroa (or simply L&P) soft drink originated. Before I started cycling, Mark and I tried an L&P without realising that I'd be travelling through the famous town.  I just had to stop for an early lunch and have an L&P in Paeroa!  I had a bacon, chicken and cheese melt with my L&P.  The food was good but the sourness of the staff makes me think that the lemon in an L&P comes from some of the staff in their local service industry.   A simple smile is not a big ask...

My accommodation tonight is at the Te Aroha Nunnery, where you guessed it, the local Nuns lived in years past.  So while I've not joined the convent, I am living in their house.  Very comfortable.  

I had fish and chips for dinner, based on the recommendation from one of the locals I was chatting to.  They raved about the fish from the local takeaway.  And it was a really good fish fillet of Snapper.

Today's theme song is by The Angels - Take a Long Line
I love the start of this song and its fast pace seems to fit today's ride.  With the tailwind I had my fastest day on the trip so far.  The long line of the rail trail disappeared off into the distance more than once today.  So straight and flat.

Along the way to To Aroha was Photo control point 6 - Dairy cows, the main engine and exhaust pipe of New Zealand's economy.   There were plenty of opportunities for a photo.

My route today, from Miranda Springs to Te Aroha along the Hauraki Rail Trail

An L&P in Paeroa - delicious.

The long lines of the rail trail - straight to the horizon. Good riding with a tailwind.  Throughout the whole day I only saw 6 other cyclists - all heading the opposite direction.  So I had the trail to myself.