Day 4 Auckland to Miranda - 66 miles, 938m

Having cycled 50km into Auckland from the ferry we arrived just before midnight. A bit of a lie in, breakfast with Kathy and friends and then sort better quality suntan cream (Invisible Zinc and some Australian ‘Marine Blue’); Compede for mega-chafing (don’t ask); borrowed a saddle from Mark to replace my backside nemesis; plus a trip to bike shop to replace tire (I wanted to replace my arse). 

Needless to say, the wheel is called ‘Rebel 26’ but is in fact 27.5 so had wrong tire ordered (leaving in 1 hr). Mount Eden Cycles were fab and restocked the 26” tire and I was ready to go with a new (potentially squirty - filled with sealant) tire. 

Required photo at top of Mount Eden... 

...and met up with old friends. 

Seth assisted with a new flat in my back tire - needed a ‘plug’... 

...and careful nurturing of white sealant as it attempted to form a tire coagulum at the leek.

Lots of waiting in the rain. Much cooler as Auckland experienced is first rainfall in over 50 days. 

The gravel tracks are slippier and there’s a greater risk of punctures. 

Then Seth’s bike sprung a leak. 

Leaving Auckland pretty late now, but only 100km to Miranda. 

Much needed rain will reverse this fire ban for the whole island. 

Fabulous sarnies at Hanua. 

I resisted the Snickers bar. Some  others were called ‘Sleepy’!

Rain gear left out to dry. 

Then a massive transient downpour. 

The final 40km into Miranda was mostly downhill, good tarmac and a tailwind. 

The sun came out, showing off the agapanthus. 

Disaster, 2km before the night accommodation and cycling alone...

...another rear wheel puncture in a an already ‘plugged’ tire. 

I re-plugged, added sealant and crawled in at 7pm. 

Friends had kindly sorted a veggie burger and beer. 

The perfect feast!