Day 26 (Dec 31) Rarawa Beach to Spirits Bay (via North Cape) 107.6km =2535km total

We rode most of the day on rugged metal roads

Dirt roads North cape

There was a bit of mud....

North Cape at last







Happy New Years

The swim to finish off reaching the Cape. There was zooplanton in the water which made the waves glow as they crashed on the beach...very cool


Day 26 (Dec 31) Rarawa Beach to Spirits Bay (via North Cape) 107.6km =2535km total

We knew today would be a rough day heading out to North Cape (the true northern point of New Zealand).

We woke up to another hot sunny day and had a morning swim in the surf. There were schools of Kahawhai swimming across the waves before they broke which was pretty special.

A slight headwind slowed us down as we passed through Te Kao for an ice cream and Waitaki landing for some lunch. We then turned off onto the gravel roads which led us all the way out to North Cape. Today was a tough day, as soon as we hit the gravel the roads were rough as guts with the some of the steepest climbs in the trip, our tyres keep slidding on the changing surfaces from rocks, to sand, to dirt. We felt every kg of those panniers and extra food we needed as we were out in the middle of no where. The sun was at its hottest and we were dripping constantly soaked in sweat but the fact that we were almost there kept the adrenalin pumping and the legs moving. Although dad had to walk up a couple of hills I was impressed with his endurance to keep going.

Finally made it to North Cape and the most northern point New Zealand at 7.06pm. There was some thick mist coming in from sea but it felt great to be there standing up at an elevation of 200m looking out to sea.

We cycled as quick as we could to spirits bay (second most northern point of NZ) where we camped at the DOC campground fro New Years. We had a beer but were so exhaused and fell asleep before the countdown

Because it would be dark soon we rode as quick as we could out of the forest