Day 2 + 3 - Maraetai

The road to Beachlands or Maraetai was longer than expected.

With high spirits, I set off from Ambury Regional Park (the beautiful farm in Auckland). After about 10 kilometers, I was out of the worst city traffic, but that meant it became incredibly hilly. In some places so steep that I had to push the bike. Now I know what is lovingly called hilly landscape in the travel guides.

After about 50 exhausting kilometers, I reached Omana Regional Park. This time it wasn't a farm, but a campground right by the sea, run by Dave and Shelly. It was super clean and nice. Due to my increasingly strong cold, I thought I would take advantage of the great view and give myself a quiet day. Honestly, I still feel the jet lag a little bit. I used the day to check my equipment, read, ride through the little town of Maraetai, and have a tropical smoothie at a nice café by the sea. It was excellent! George was sitting in a conspicuous colorful bus, it was a mobile library that travels to the coastal towns around Auckland to constantly provide children / elderly people with new books. A great initiative!

Hopefully I will be fit enough tomorrow morning to make my way to Clevedon or Orere Point. According to the map, there are also hills, but only two strong climbs. I'm curious.