I woke several times during the night and it was absolutely teaming down, so was thinking that I may end up with an enforced stay at Opononi (which would not be all bad), due to a southerly front that was coming up the island.

When I got up at 6am, it was heavily overcast and quite windy, but it was not raining and whats more the wind was a westerly which would be generally helpful, so as I was not going to give up this assistance, I rolled out of the motel at 7.10am with a quick chat to the motelier who is off to walk the Milford Track next week.

The harbour was looking totally different to yesterday and as I climbed up from the sea on SH12, rode into fog/cloud that basically got thicker and thicker and stayed with me for the next 50 odd ks. It was not cold and it was not actually raining, so it was quite pleasant riding on the undulating road.

The road was though wet so on some of the decents it was 70k+ and I had to button off a bit as did not want to end up literally on the road as the wind was a bit blustery, even though it was assisting.

There was a nice climb to enter the northern end of the Waipoua Forest which was open country to start with, but then went into thick bush and forest and the climb just kept on going and going. It was quite a nice gradient at between 5 and 7 % typically, but by now the fog had closed in and you could not see more than 30 metres in front of you. Finally after what must have been about 40 minutes, hit the summit (although there were no signs) and then it was a lovely ride through the forest a bit like riding through sections of the Haast highway.

While the fog had set in, it was a compulsory stop to visit Tane Mahuta (kauri tree thought to be over 2,000 years old!) which is simply impressive as are some of the “smaller” brothers in the vicinity.

Whether it is wet or fine, being in the forest is always special.

Just as I was about to get going again, it absolutely teamed down so it was a good spot to stay under shelter until it died down a bit.

While it was wet and foggy, the forest and road was magnificent as were the decents, although I was a bit cautious as there was a lot of fern foliage on the road following the wind of last night. It was fun in the wet, but it would have been a real hoot on a dry road surface as the road just continued to decend and decend with nice sweeping bends. Unfortunately I was going too quick to stop for “Darby and Joan” which is where the road goes between 2 massive kauri trees but there was then a pretty solid climb out of the forest and then it was into undulating farming country.

I suspect that if it had been fine and clear, there would have been some great views, but not today..

About 25ks out from Dargaville while the skys were still overcast, the road surface was generally dry and with the wind assistance it was very helpful as I was not feeling that great and my back was giving me a bit of a tickle up from the backpack.

If I felt like I was in a remote area yesterday, it was nothing to today, especially with little traffic and the heavy fog preventing any views.

Made it to Dargaville at lunchtime which would take the prize so far as the North Island town that I would LEAST like to live… I was thinking that I might stay here as per my schedule, but it was not flash and after lunch decided to push on to Wellsford another 97ks.

Before I left town I met a touring cyclist (male) from Solvenia who I had seen down the road when he was on the side of the road, but as I was decending at the time there was no time to stop and only a quick hello.. I think his name was Francee (yes he is a male) and it was good to have a catch up with him. He had started at Auckland and had ridden to the Cape and was working his way south so may well see him somewhere else.

Thankfully after lunch felt better and might have also been leaving Dargaville… There is a massive river/estuary that is a dirty colour and frankly looked all rather menancing so I was pleased to cross the big bridge and get out of the place.. There were some long straights, but with the wind assistance at times it was up to 40ks and the ks to Wellsford were clicking off.

Then the road became undulating and went through several small towns before SH12 ended wth finally joining SH1. Have I missed riding on SH1, NOT! It really makes you appreciate the quieter roads as the traffic was just continious and the road goes from having a shoulder on the left of the rumble strip to not having one so you have to cross the rumble strip..

At least I knew where I was going as intended to get to Wellsford so was retracing my earlier path and intended to stay at the same motel as it was a good set up and the Speights Hotel resturant was just down the road.

Misson accomplished and the motel had a vacancy.

Total for day 183k and a total elevation of 1,907m. Surprisingly the highest point was only 372m, it felt more than that..

Tomorrow all going well I want to cross and get south of Auckland city and intend to go another way than the way I came for something different!