Day 10 - January 20, 2023

Day 10:  Cambridge - Whakamaru

TA riders tell stories about the Waikato River Trail.  Running alongside New Zealand's longest river, the trail passes a series of hydro lakes, through volcanic landscapes, forest, and farmland.  Once you've ridden it you'll have your own story to tell!

No internet tonight, so this entry is (at least) a day late.  After a lovely rest day in Cambridge it's time to get back on the beast again.  About the first 10km this morning was the reverse of the last 10km in to Cambridge; to the dam.  Sadly the ice cream place was not open yet this morning.  Lake Karapiro, just beyond the dam, was hosting a huge waka ama sprint race meet (the national championships, apparently, with over 3500 participants).  Waka are the traditional dugout canoes that the Maori people first arrived in NZ in.  I'm sure they've been modernized and plasticized in the interim, but it was obviously a very popular event.  Just watched a video on line - they kind of look like a dragon boat with an outrigger.  It would have been nice to stay and watch, but we had places to go......



We followed the Waikato River, more or less, all day.  Mostly on the road, but a bit of trail here and there.  


Just before our first meet-up with the van we passed an area where they were growing kiwis.  Apparently the cover is to protect them from sun damage.  Gotta say - the sun is very strong down here.  More than one of us has experienced a bit of sunburn, and Jane acts as the suncream police, trying to keep us all slathered all the time.  Once  it hits about 20C I find that quite warm enough.  I struggle with the heat, especially on the climbs.  


We had nice rolling hills for much of the day.  I learned a new word today for undulating hills.  "Fundulating".  Lots of climbing in total, but nothing too gruesome.  






The daily dose of sheep and cattle.  This little calf had really cute face markings, but he didn't cooperate in fully looking at me.  



For what it's worth.............


We're staying in a place called Whakamura tonight.  Apparently it's here only because the workers needed a place to stay while they were building the local dam.  Some nice scenery coming in.  We're staying tonight in former workers' quarters - a house with about 12 rooms.  But no internet................







Stats for the day:

Distance:  92.4 km 

Elevation (Garmin):  4384' up, 3863' dowm

Elevation (RWGPS):  5065' up, 4471' down

Weather:  14C - 32C.  "Fine", but hot......




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