Puhoi to Waipu Cove

 After an enjoyable stay at Jeremy and Kate's and Kate's "Full English" breakfast we loaded the bikes on to the back of Kates car for the re-locate to Puhoi where we met Scott who is joining Jeremy and myself for our three day ride up to Ahipara before I turn off to visit friends and they carry and up 90 Mile Beach.

We aimed to be on the road at 9:00 AM and it was just a tad after when we left. For me this is another piece of the Country I am not at all familiar with abd it made for great riding. I had a slight navigational issue as I had downloaded the wrong route to Waipu Cove and after about 20 km my route had me turning left however I watched as the other two lads carried straight on down a hill. I hesitated at that point coz I'm never a fan of heading down a hill unless I'm sure it won't have me coming back up it, I rechecked my route and double checked with the map before putting in a phone call to Jeremy - but no answer. I decided to ignore where my route had me going and follow the trail to the others. I eventually caught up with them at Matakana where it was time for a cuppa as it turned out.

Interestigly today we rode through four areas where a short time before there had been a reasonable shower of rain as there were still puddles on the road - yet for our entire ride we didn't experience any rain at all. Lucky!

We stuck together after that and made our way out to Manawhai on what turned out to be the busiest of roads I have ridden so far - the traffic was a lot less from Mangawahi on and I guess as it was sunday and a good day many Aucklanders had heade for the beach.

I've got the luxury of a Cabin and proper bed this evening and we had an enjoyable pizza at the Cafe opposite the camp. That was after our swim that we had once we got here - the water  was noticably warmer than down South and naturally this was to be expected.

Both Jeremy and Scott make great cycling buddies and they are never short of a word to say or quip at the othe other's expense.I'm beginning to come up with some appropriate (or inappropriate) quips of my own and matched them drink for drink at the end of the day - the only difference being it was four cups of tea for me a four glasses of beer for them.