Yesterday I was pretty upset. Everything had gone to shit on me. I was in the middle of the whop-whops, my bike had bust, there’s was no way I was going to make it to Opononi.
…there might have been tears…
But, thanks to the VERY kind of assistance from both Broadwood Community, and the VERY strong moral support of my fellow Tourers of Aotearoa, I camped up in KeriKeri and hatched a pretty good Plan B.
Thanks Paul Ash 🙂
Plan B was to get to Hunter Cycles first thing this morning, and see what they could do to my poor Beast. Depending how long that took, Plan B also involved chatting to the General Manager of the Broadwood General Store, and seeing whether I could get a ride back to Broadwood.
Tim and the crew of Hunter Cycles absolutely deserve the praise the FaceBook Tour of Aotearoa – General Forum peeps give them.
Tim sorted me out with a second hand crackshaft, sorted out my chain, sold me a new set of pedals and just, generally, made the sun smile way better than the Candy Man can.
By 10:30, I was good to go. Ahh…. happy relief.
Ok, next choice – bolt to Broadwood on my bike or do something else.
Bolting consisted of a 74km ride over some pretty steep hills. It would take me 5 ish hours, getting me there at 3. At Broadwood, I’d have another 30km to get to Rawene (mmm.. 2 hours) and then another 25 km to get to Opononi for the night (another 1:30 ish). Getting me to Opononi about 6 ish.
If everything goes to plan. Because I’m good at planning.. (have you been reading my travel blogs?!?)
My Best Alternative was to bolting was not bolting. Under this scenario, I mooch a ride back to Broadwood, getting there at 7:00 in the morning. Then I spend the next 3:30 hours getting to Opononi (10:30 arrival ish). Then I climb some big hills between Omapere and Waipoua (3 hours), getting here about 1:00. From there, there’s accommodation options if I’m not hard enough to make it to Dargavile.
I took Plan B.
So today, I’ve had a very lovely day doing a 50km cruise out to Waitangi (thumbs up to John Clarke!). Talk about hot! I drained 3 litres of water just getting out to Waitangi, and another 1.5 litres to get back.
And you know its a hot day when your phone turns itself off because of tempature.
I’m looking all gorgeous and tanned. I am The Girl from Ipanema. Also, on the plus side, I blast out that 50 kms feeling cool and refreshed…
…fitness improving…?
GO MY COMPATRIOTS!
Of my compatriots (the people I’ve met), Tim Allen is leading the Pack in Helensville.
Sue Moore, Moira, Simon, Brad and Dad, John, Kerry and Duncan are all in Dargeville.
Hopefully, I’ll see you guys soon.