Day 8 Opape – Te Kaha

We all have our ups and downs in life, and this year has certainly been testament to that for us, but if ever there was a metaphor that suits today then this is it.

The 55km ride today, hugging the coastline from the little hamlet of Opape to the not much bigger village of Te Kaha, was a rollercoaster of hills. From a steep, slow 210 metre winding climb up Maraenui Hill, to rolling down to a perfect lunch and swim stop by the sea at Omaio.

All the while the vantage points from our bikes were unbeatable – uninterrupted panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and beautiful blooming pohutukawa trees lining the beaches and roadside.

The difference to life is that today the “ups” were the hard parts, while the “downs” were the fun bits. Both were rewarding in their own way, and the sense of accomplishment we feel when we can look back and see where we’ve come from is really satisfying. Looking forward to the next stage of the road is both daunting and exciting in equal measures, and is what makes us feel alive, although our bodies may not agree!

Surprisingly it is not our backsides that are suffering on the saddle, as we thought they would, but rather our hands, arms and shoulders that are taking the strain. Regular stops to straighten up help ease the discomfort, and a glass of wine or a cold beer at the end of the day soothes the aches and pains away!

Another well equipped campsite to ourselves for a couple of nights – Te Kaha campsite NZ$28 per night.