Day 9 Auckland to Hamilton

Well today there is little to say as realizing how physically tired my body was and how I worked out that I had ridden an additional 240km already to my trip because of different routes, cycling both ways to the cape etc that I could take a bus with my cycle to hamilton which was 100km ride from pukekohe and get the much needed rest day I needed but not stopping the route and schedule I had to keep. The rainy day made sitting inside feel even more of a luxury and I found myself soon drifting to sleep dreaming of some of the stories I had found on the way. A welcome respite fora day and a night.

Day 8 Wellesford to Auckland

This day seemed one of the toughest. I think I've worked out that it's often to do with the first km and whether you are struck with a hill or flat etc. I was tired setting out and aware that I made the mistake of not giving myself a rest day. The first 40 km were constant hill climbing with them dropping away only to be greeted by another in its place. I spent a number of times walking the bike up the hill because my body couldn't cope with the strain of the weight of the bike and the climbing and not being so young I was worried about my knees. I had some great views on the way and relieved not to have the heavy traffic of the main road but the route was over 40km longer and the scenery not a patch on the kauri forest road in Hokianga. When I reached the 50km point I thought I was done in. Weary and in need of rest I dropped in to the toilet came out and bumped into this logging trucker guy.i had passed numerous of these logging trucks on the road up north and they were pretty treacherous for cyclists as the wind current they create is perhaps the worst for pushing you off the road. We started talking and he asked me what I was up to. He was such a lovely person and obviously genuinely interested and talked of his uncle in chch and the difficulties he was facing. He told me how to cut through to the east coast road to get to Auckland, offered to give me his map which I thought was so lovely and asked me to write down the website details so he and his wife could donate etc. It was his generosity of spirit that enabled me to carry on and do the next 50km into Auckland and I was grateful for meeting him on the way. Ironically he also shared concern about all the logging and the barren hills as a result of mass culling. His name was Ben and for me he gave me an essence of NZ that I missed from growing up here. He was nothing flashy, not trying to prove anything, worked hard, made time to listen and to talk and showed such generosity of spirit. I welcomed the site of Devonport with its beautiful beach and relaxing vibe and most of all the comfort of meeting up with my friend Carol and the warmth of her flat for the night.