geoffstouraotearoa

A 156 kilometre day and it took 11 hours (including stops) and about 40% was on gravel.  They had rain and head winds and it has got a lot colder.

At one point they thought they would take shelter at a barn, but it turned out to have 2 artists living in it and they took them in and made them coffee.

They went through Opaki and wanting lunch there was nothing open at all.  They only had 3 tins of tuna between all of them.  Jeremy rang a place and they said they are closed for a function.  But they said if you come by they can give them something.  So they turned up and were brought out some wedges which they devoured.

Geoff and Miles went off to the supermarket in Palmy to get dinner supplies.  I think it was a a steak dinner.

Two shots.  On the way to Ashhurst, and More fruit tree raiding after Hunterville.

After lunch, bike repairs, chemist supplies and a trip to countdown for nibble supplies,  they left Whanganui for Hunterville.  Long ride on the roads now.  Geoff said he loved the trails through the bush, The bike has gone rally well, suspension a blessing and makes the down hill in particular really fun.  The riding on the roads is not as enjoyable.  Just put your head down and ride.  Apparently they have lots of hills as they head off from Hunterville towards Palmy.

Wave 4 leaves the cape today.  It’s amazing to think that there are all these people riding the country at the moment.  Here’s the tracker site again for those that want to have a look.

https://touraotearoa2018.maprogress.com/?id=11991

All the best for wave 4, 5 and 6 as they start on this journey.

Thanks Anne for meeting them in Whanganui.  She did a mercy dash to the chemist to get supplies for their bottoms!!.  Here’s some shots of them in the bike shop.  Getting brakes and trees sorted.

What a adventure this is! expect the unexpected. I’ve been 99 % riding solo but meeting loads of people along the way. Sitting in bed in Featherston listening to the torrential rain and glad I’m not camping. Some memorable days were joining a group of hunters at the blue duck lodge last Saturday night & being treated to fresh trout from the whanganui river, venison, pork and beer 🍺, following a wild boar up the river road from pipiriki – hope pic is clear. Narrowly missing a kamakazee sheep out of apiti, being chased by 3 dogs and the last one was going to have me on an uphill section so I turned around and chased him instead- luckily he skulked off. Have been staying in in a few dingy hotels including Eketahuna and Featherston- perfectly fine- tea coffee, BATH food and 🥂 and nice friendly staff.had moments when I was awestruck by the scenery and moments when I hated it- 50 km headwinds for hours yesterday on highways. Have learned; less is more, you have to carry everything,laden bikes are a hassle on the trails, eat real food ( I’m doing a nationwide smoothie survey) , talk to people- local advice is priceless, take care in the dangerous sections- there’s no prizes for getting to Bluff early, clean and lube your chain religiously,Take pictures and here’s a few… hope all of you the guys are having an awesome time as well

Hi TA Warkworth battlers. Im loving the armchair experience of watching you guys on GPS tracker and the updates. Its an incredible challenge and I’m there with you in mind and experience. You are all doing so well. Jo with her endurance, Mike with his dogged persistence and rugged living and Miles Jeremy Paul Jim and Geoff with their team work. Im impressed with your endurance and I’m sure its a life time experience for you all.
Go hard!!! Cheers Malcolm

We were under police armed guard at the Jerusalem convent last night, a police armed offenders squad callout in the grounds. Nearly shat myself when maintaining my bike outside and heard 3 loud gunshots nearby. Needless to say I hoofed it inside. Oh and did you hear the storm yesterday afternoon took out tree and power lines, so we cranked up the log fire to cook our tea….all very romantic by candlelight. This really is the tour that keeps giving. Cheers j

Team – many thanks for your communications – we look forward to hearing from you each day. We had no coverage for a couple of days.
Been an amazing adventure so far but jolly hard yakka at times.
Malc – your 20 days is incredible and Jo and Mike are going a hurricane.
Great Paul is ok now.
We have met the most lovely people and will meet tons more.
All the best to all.
Miles.

And a shot of Miles bike titled “Mud”

Rockfall at ongarue rail tunnel,  The lovely ladies at ongarue hall cafe, At whakahoro prior to the bridge to nowhere trail.

Much walking along the muddy trail today, The things you see !!,  One muddy bike at bridge to nowhere

Jetboat section along the wanganui river, yeeha, Top of gentle Annie near wanganui, Running repairs at wanganui, new tyres, new brake pads etc, Drurie hill elevator access tunnel wanganui. Keep well cheers j

Just saw this on the TA Facebook page.

“Bugger, don’t believe this, been sitting waiting patiently for my wave to start, all set to head for Nelson on Thursday, flight to Auckland on Saturday. My town has just been evacuated and Takaka Hill is closed. I’m stuck, can’t get out. Gonna miss flight, hotel in Auckland booked, bus to Kaitaia booked, Waitiki landing accommodation booked. I’m buggered, anyone out there got a tardis……”

There’s been lots of offers for help – Flights from Adventure Flights Golden Bay,  places for him to stay if he gets up to Auckland.

And here’s another one:

“Oh bugger. I’m stuck in Cheviot, Kaikoura road is closed. Locals reckon it won’t open till Thursday. Was supposed to be on the train today from Wellington to Palmy. Just gonna cross fingers I make it to Cape Reinga by Sunday night!”

Wow I hope they get out and can start on their TA journey.

The nuns can’t have wifi as I have only just heard from them (they are in Upokongaro having breakfast).

Geoff said the ride from Whakahoro was hard.  Lots of mud and rain- but lovely scenery.  When they arrived in Jerusalem there was a power cut.  Then the armed defenders squad arrived.  About 4 cop cars full of cops.  The nuns told them off and said there were cyclists down there having showers and they need soap and asked the cops to take soap down to them!!!

They cranked up the wood stove and cooked rice risotto on the stove, then followed by stewed apples (from the orchard) for pudding.  Spent the night with out power – Lucky they got hot showers, the cyclists that arrive after them didn’t.

Apparently the ride from Taumaranui to the Blue Duck lodge in Whakahoro the day before was a hard ride and the dinner they had booked was not much to write home about.   There are now some saddle sores so they are heading to a chemist in Whanganui.

Seem to be in great spirits – I could hear lots of laughter in the back ground.  Well they have knocked off that gentle annie hill and its not far into Whanganui.