04/01/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 3 - She is getting the hang of it.

Distance cycled: 40km
Average speed: 12.6km/h
Moving Time: 3h09m
Elevation Ascended: 686m
Total Distance on Current trip: 113km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 8,284km
Money spent: $39

I am truly proud of her, Marlieke endured a hell of a lot today with all the hills, the weekend traffic and the heat I know it was difficult and understandably, especially harboring a cold she nearly broke down. With sweat and tears running down her face she wanted to give up, and the now lightened bicycle (after a spring clean yesterday) wasn't enough, it was still a huge burden on her.
The really steep climbs I walked beside my bike towing hers behind mine with a shoelace I found on the side of the road yesterday pushing the weight of two bicycles and all our gear whilst frantically looking for grip under my skate shoes; it was an experience and not one I want to repeat on a regular basis.
Not all climbs to the top of a mountain pass offer spectacular views but for Marlieke who put forward all this tremendous effort of cycling and walking her bike I wanted to show her that her efforts were worthwhile and that they were. The view of our surroundings were breathtaking, if this is what New Zealand has to offer already then we are in for a treat, and by "we" I do hope that Marlieke pushes through the initial pain and discomfort of cycling long distances and we continue this trip around the country albeit I am hoping for a little more distance than just 40km but having said that these dirt roads that we experienced today would slow me down greatly anyway. With a lengthier day to cycle and sun forecast for the next 2 weeks we have nothing to worry about.

Goat island was a strenuous detour but worthwhile, the shallow Aqua waters harbored plenty marine life and the visitors from all over piling their cars in the parking lot it was a much visited beach/summer time location. We spent a couple of hours here relaxing and making fun of people (a good past time with Marlieke).

We ended the day at Pakiri Beach holiday Camp which is a place you wouldn't normally find me but Marlieke is aching and she deserves a day of rest but more importantly, a shower, we both needed that. At first we were quoted $80 (!) for the two of us but the woman working the office helped us out and have it to us for $30; it's money that is not necessary as we have all we need for camping with the exception of a shower.
Many of the people at this place which is overrun with screaming and yelling children are holiday makers from Auckland and this got me thinking, how shitty do their houses have to be to pack up their things and live in a tent for the weekend where there is no privacy and you listen to your neighbor snore all night? Apparently I don't see the appeal especially at $80 for a non-powered site.
Well, I need to sleep with the sounds of our neighbors on the left chit-chatting away with sudden outbursts of laughter and our neighbors on the right happily snoring away.
One upside to coming here was the shower but even then it is limited to 4 minutes and costs money.

 

Goat Island.. but no goats