Cycle: 127km

Alrighty, our long day awaits and we are ready for it!

The bad start was that we were actually 6km North of Te Araroa so already extra on top of the expected 120km! We stocked up with lollies, water, oat bars and biscuits, and made it over the first three steep short hills in an enjoyable fashion. The wind was still strong, but we dipped in and out of it.

We stopped every 15km or so for snacks and comfort breaks. The weather was grey so we had less chance of overheating. After the hills we entered the deserted town of Tikitiki and decided not to hang around! We then had 20km of bleak undulating road following a wide, almost empty river bed until the turn off for the next town. Again we pushed on up a very long climb to Te Puia. This place was supposed to have a nice atmosphere and a hotel with hot springs, but all we could find was a gas station selling packaged food! So an unhealthy lunch for us it was again - without even a cup of tea ("but there is a cappucino machine is 20km down the road"! Great.)

The wind was so strong that our 9km descent required pedalling - usually a sign to dismount and call it a day but we were determined to go the distance. We cycled through the ghost town of Tokomaru by which time we were back by the sea and the sun was coming out. The last 30km after the final steep climb were really pretty, through green valleys with trees and cattle. Scott really pushed the pace in the last 20km despite the relentless wind. We had no idea what awaited us at Tolaga but were delighted to see the "Welcome to Tolaga Bay" sign and were deleriously happy to see the cafe sign! We ate a proper meal here with a few beers even though I was almost past hunger. We pootled the last 3km to our campsite, situated right under the cliffs of Tolaga Bay in a beautiful spot. We just about managed a shower and the collapsed asleep for about 10 hours!