Although I was on the road just on 7am, it took a bit to get moving this morning, not that I needed sleep, just that the bones were feeling the effect of the last few days…
While it was sunny, it was cool with a breeze and yep, I was riding into it.., again! Approaching Mt Bruce there was fog and the temperature although already cool, felt liked it dropped about 5 degrees in the same number of minutes. I was not sure as to how high the climb was, but elected to put on a jacket before getting too cold as it was starting to get miserable. While I was wearing my skull cap, I had made a rookie mistake by leaving my full finger gloves in the bottom of the pack and given the weather conditions I was not going to dig everything out just to get to them.
I like to the have the first aid kit near the top of the pack and normally have the additional clothes that I might need near the top as well and while it was sunny when I left Masterton, it was a reminder that whatever the weather to be prepared.
The climb for Mt Thomas was only just over 250m but it was still very cool when I arrived in Eketahuna after 40 odd ks for breakfast as had only had a cup of coffee and some hazel nuts before leaving so I was looking forward to food!
It was good to see that Eketahuna actually existed, as to me the name is like Timbucktoo…. Apologies to the residents of Eketahuna!
Some of the place names in the North are real tongue twisters and I amuse myself in trying to pronounce them in passing the road signs.
There were some long straights today, not assisted by some magpie attacks, but they were only half hearted and large chip seal which does not assist the bike to roll.. Thanks Transit NZ! Most of the tar seal in the North has been great. Not hot mix, but a fine chip that makes the surface very smooth.
Again there was a wide shoulder for most of the way which was handy as there was a surprising amount of traffic.
A Heidi at the Hotel where I had dinner in Masterton said that it is always wet and raining in Woodville but thankfully it was sunny and startng to warm up by now. At the junction, left to Palmerston North, or right to Napier which is SH2 which is what I am following.
Rode past the Toohey Beer plant, unfortunately no Tui girls present as in their TV advertisement. Yeah right!
I arrived in Dannevirke just after midday and while I was in two minds about continuing, given that I am intending to stay at Napier tomorrow, it is within easy reach so decided to rest up for the afternoon and enjoy the sunshine. Great to be able to check in early, get the laundry done so that there is a clean riding kit for tomorrow.
Checked into a motel within walking distance to the CBD and yet another motel with white towels… often not a good combination for a cyclist after a day on the bike.
Total for day 108k.
After checking the K2 site I saw that there was an option for twice around, which would be 400ks, however, have since decided to flag it, even the once around, as concerned that if anything was to go wrong it most likely to be in an event and I did not want this to distract me from completing my lap of NZ which is my objective for this trip.
On the Heidi cycling score, none met yet. Bugger.