Clarks Beach to Maraetai

 Cyclone Dovi was well known about before its impact hit our shores and was forecast to be very strong winds (130 kph) and a lot of rain - Well we ceratianly received a lot of stong winds but very little rain. I undertook a risk assessment of today's ride prior to starting this morning and deemed it safe enough to ride in - The win was very much a Westerly and I was riding East. The theory worked extremely well until I had to turn North and ride alongside the S H Way 1 Motorway leading in to Auckland on the new  cyclepath that had a bridge crossing and inlet of the Manukau Harbour - there the wind was too strong to allow me stay on the bike and in fact at times it was an effort walking even. However, needless to say I made it.

I did however see two power wires touch and heard the bang and saw the flash they made and after seeing a tree down across my side of the road and having to cross the centre line to avoid it I did say to the chap standing there on the side of the road "wow, there's a good bit of firewood" - he didn't seem to be as excited as me about what a score it could be right at your front gate like it was. I soon realised that perhaps the reason he wasn't very excited was that under the tree was his car (well what once would have been his car)! Squashed! Chris you spoke too soon again! 

The day was still very warm and humid with the threat of rain or some drizzle.

A stop for morning tea at Karaka filled the tank again for the ride alongside Ardmore before Clevedon which was out of power (not related to the two wires above but some other storm damage.

I then carried on to Phil and Denise's lovely home at Maraetai who are my Warmshowers hosts this evening. Warmshowers is a thing for cyclists who can either host or be hosted and I make use of it from time to time as in this case. It can range from simply a warm shower right through to this where I am provided my own room ensuite and all, and invited to share meals with the family. As fellow cyclists we have much to talk about and especially with Denise and Phil as they have done a lo
t of cycling here in NZ and Europe in particular. I was able to share with them the joys of using cycle.travel my go to navigation tool.