John and Claud

After a day's delay due to missing our flight in LA, we (that's me and Claud), finally made it to New Zealand. The evening of 14th January is spent in the LA Sheraton, funded by Virgin Atlantic, in the company of my fellow travellers: Ana (a native of Gisborne), Hazel (who is visiting her daughter in New Zealand) and Fiona (a Glasgow University student on a year's exchange in Auckland). Thanks for your company, ladies!

After driving in a hire car from Auckland to Whangerei, I unpack Claud, outside Hedgehog Bikes (who helpfully dispose of Claud's box). This stop was strategically planned, in case Claud had been damaged during the flight. Also, I pop in to visit with Mick Buckley, a relative of my friend and former colleague, Jonny Cheetham. Thanks for the cuppa and the local info, Mick! Claud is fine and we proceed to Kaitaia to be met by Cape Reinga Adventures, who drop me at Cape Reinga at 5pm.

After some photos, we set off from Cape Reinga, the most northerly spot on North Island, at 5:30pm on Wednesday, 17th January. After 50 yards, Claud's chain comes off! Then the gravel road proves very hairy, not so much due to the gravel as the steep cambers. Several times I slide sideways into the banking, but remarkably stay upright. It was really a good idea to do this stage without all the bags, which I had left earlier in the cabin at Waitiki Landing.

Cycled the first 21Km on rough gravel roads to Waitiki Landing, with steep hills and lush valleys, to get that bit out of the way before loading up the next morning for the first real stage to Kaitaia.

Distance today: 21 Km, cumulative: 21Km

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John and Claud on January 22, 2007 from Auckland, New Zealand

from the travel blog: Cape Reinga to Bluff

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Trips:

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Day 0: John and Claud set off from Cape Reinga

Auckland, New Zealand

Heading South?