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Cape in 6 Days! by Sharleen Grounds
5 semi-experienced cycle tourers + 5 more or less experienced cyclesses sacrificed their relaxing summer holiday this year to venture into the rugged hills and amazing coastal scenery of NZ’s East Cape. The trip was a bit of a challenge to complete in such a limited time, but we’re all still talking to each other © Day 1 - Gisborne to Matawai (27/12/08) — 70kms mostly uphill — 4 flat tyre, 1 warm summer’s day After parking the cars in what thankfully turned out to be a safe neighbourhood, the punters were keen to begin the adventure, and a steady pace set in but was interrupted soon after for morning tea! This was shortly followed by the first flattie, but then a good run until lunch before the big hills started. It probably wasn’t quite as bad as expected, though there were a few sore muscles and some very hungry people... Day 2 - Matawai to Opotiki (28/12/08) - 7okms mostly downhill —1 flattie, 3 broken spokes, 2 mislaid items We split into 2 groups today, with 4 punters keen to tackle the mtb route on the unsealed Old Motu Coach Road, and the other 6 preferring the easy sealed ride following the windy scenic road downhill along the river. This proved to be the wise choice for 2 unsuspecting punters who each suffered a broken wheel spoke. Day 3 — Opotiki to Whanarua Bay (29/12/08) — 8skms coastal views — 1 flattie, 1 VERY BIG storm! The plan was to leave at 8am due to this being our longest day, but the boys luckily hung back to buy some spare wheel spokes when the sports shop opened, and to visit the coffee shop ! Though it wasn’t long before they caught up and we all re-grouped for lunch at a
lovely coastal spot before the big storm hit later in the afternoon, which thankfully mostly rained itself out all night. This day was particularly scenic along the coast. = i = —1 flat, 2 br friendly locals Some of us were not so keen as others (who obviously desperately wanted a real cafe coffee!) to leave this gorgeous piece of paradise and go back up the hill to the road, but again we all re-grouped for lunch...at a cafe...though unfortunately for some the locals couldn’t understand the modern concept of a moccacino... Day 5 = Hicks Bay to Tokomaru Bay (31/12/08) — 100kms hard slog — 2 flatties, 1 spoke, 1 VERY hot day Again, some of us were not so keen as others to leave our lovely little spot by the beach, and the group split up a bit today, mainly due to technical difficulties and the need to rest in the EXTREME heat. It was a very long day for some of us, and we supported the locals by purchasing numerous cold drinks and iceblocks! D — Tokomaru B isborn 1 —100kms home run — kes 7 helpful passer-by After resting on new year’s day, the punters were rearing to get out again, one before the crack of dawn ! (to avoid the heat). But we all rode down the infamous Tolaga Bay Wharf, and had a long stop at a beach before Gisborne. While the last few kms of lovely scenic coastline seemed to go on forever with the increase in traffic, road glass & wind, we all finally finished our loop round the Coast ! & headed to the pub of course.... Svs samett “Hoe ny PUNTERS: @ TEANANDA oe om we note ee ~ eee, 1 Fabulous Trip Organiser Victoria McGregor w age Wome _.,. 1 Old Motu Coach Rd mtb chick Lynda Bushe Sab . : nar / ; . . name. “nem 1 Fast hill climber/beer carrier Richard pa. Mansfield a» * PALDLAANA » *s AUATORIA ; . Ace 9 a siare ronan Avon = 1 Team Ortlieb Red Express Pete B& Uli N #n « - rt si ce ~ Mee er, Meare Bay 1 Very competitive cyclist Erik Vanderspek DS stem £. + vi Viaa sevonar ma Panam ee tie = 1 Hot windstopper/masseur Maarten Ruiter bromo & peony eee i sd 7 1 Very funky music chick Natalie Child a Ncs aX c we “ et 1 Wheel spoke supplier Jake Brown SHWE = Vem fee eee 2 ae gener robs amy 1 Wheel spoke destroyer Sharleen Grounds or teiee: Ao Me Woe , , peri ft rs 6% wanactean We all highly recommend this amazing trip, gustan Roe Press eo GELAENS cl though perhaps over a slightly longer period of = A SP temas au time to allow more sight-seeing and resting of tired f Wow s' 3 g Drs Voaracvse @ Easteougrd Tne muscles!” . 2 vmowen SSBORNE PSE
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