Auck -Orere Point 65 kms

The big day has arrived!

It is pouring down with rain and very windy. We covered ourselves in wet weather gear and hit the road. First stop was actually backwards, to a small boulangerie where we bought our lunches for the day.

Then we headed to the Remuera station to catch the train out to Papakura. After having purchased our tickets we discovered that

today's train only went three stops. A good lesson to learn though. Never assume that the trains are running, - always confirm the day before.

So, we had to start our ride at Penrose. There was little traffic so we took on the Great South Road, then diverted through Otara to Redoubt Road. It looked a good option on the map but there are two steep hills we had not planned for.

We had lunch at Clevedon hiding under a shop verandah (our local boulangarie know how to make good food!) and then pushed on to Kawakawa Bay where Sally had the obligatory ice-cream.

Then we climbed up the notorious Snake hill. At its worst it is 15% but most of the hill was about 10%.

We stopped to catch our breath then rode the last few kms to Orere Point. We were shattered, so we purchased fish and chips at the shop, and went to bed at 7 pm.

Nothing really exciting to report today I am afraid.