Just made it to Taupo early this morning. Largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere shares its name. Spent the last 5 days riding from Wellington with the first 3 all on back roads out to the east coast and Hawke Bay. Probably some of the best riding so far with little to no traffic and undulating farm roads for 200km. Just out of Wellington we rode the Rumatakua Rail Trail, pictured above circa 1905 or some time ago. Was great riding until the end which was so rocky it gave me a pinch flat. Thought after the previous round of off piste riding and no flats this would be similar, but alas it all caught up to me. Just out of there we spent the night in the middle of no where for New Year's eve. All I have for that is a somewhat decent shot of the moon, beautiful as it was Brian and I didn't really feel like kissing each other to ring in the new year. No mistletoe I suppose. After reaching Napier and our camping spot on the beach in Hawke Bay we rode back to the thriving little town of Napier for some dinner. The cook stove had been getting quite a work out, so we decided it needed a rest night. The following day we left heading back west in to the the mountains. It was a brutal day, probably the second hardest day since I've been here. Over 5000 feet of elevation, 90 degree heat and topped off with a severe headwind. Not much else to say about that. One gets tired of looking down at the chip-sealed road and the white stripe that marks the foot wide shoulder. 45 minutes later we hunkered down at the half way point. The chap who owned the place offered to give us a ride in this morning which we gladly excepted. More wind and a driving rain this morning made us glad to be off the bikes. Tomorrow we head down south to hike the volcanoes. Hope the weather is a bit better. Other pics: Brian and I departing Wellington. Fruit stand stop on the way out of Hawke Bay.
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