Day One (and a half)

We had an interesting journey to Cape Reinga yesterday. Left Paihia at 9am and had a very long journey to the top due to our very laidback driver- Marty from Cape Reinga adventures. Marty had a passion for possum collecting off the side of the road, he received $8 from his friend for every possum collected in order to make a wool blend- apparently the finest in the world. Much to our digust, he left them at his feet whilst driving with us in the front!! With a speedo permanently set at zero and rock n roll music blaring through the speakers, we knew we were in for an interesting ride! About 70km from the Cape, Marty broke the news that he was too tired to drive any further and that we had to take over!! Kath nobly took the wheel and got us to the Cape safely while Marty fell asleep on Tee's shoulder. We finally reached the top and bid Marty farewell, had our photos, did a last wee and began our journey!

Began cycling through breathtaking scenery- lush green hills that go on for eternity, not to mention undulating hills that also go on for eternity!! The sunshine is immense which makes the scenery even more glorious. Cows eyeing us off as we ride past their paddocks... Talking of paddocks, we stayed in a field near Hohoura last night. After trudging through chest high sticks and straw, we made it to the fence with our bikes, not realising this fence was electric until poor Kath got electrocuted (not just once- but she went back for more!!) We then realised the only way to camp in this field (which obviously wasnt meant to be camped in- but we were miles from an official campsite and it was past 8pm by this stage) was to limbo underneath and leave the bikes on the other side.

With tent pitched and sweaty gear remaining on, we collapsed in our sleeping bags with snacks. We fell asleep..till 3am, when Kath decided she desperately needed to wee, she tried to get out of the tent but was unsuccessful, and terrified of possums or creepy crawly insects..so went just next to Tee's feet (extra toasty!) in the porch of the tent! Tee couldnt find her water in the night and slightly disorientated, she began prodding Kath, who panicked thinking she was being attacked by a killer possum..

Woke up this morning at 6.30am (hadnt been trodden on by cows), packed  up the gear and set off at 7.40am.. Had a beautiful day riding, very hilly with the outstanding views making it all worthwhile. Just stopped into a nice little internet cafe while the sun is at its hottest. Have done well so far, heading to Kerikeri for the night, which will take us to around 130km.

So, it's bloody beautiful, extremely hilly, with amazing weather :)

Mum- we're slapping on the suncream don't worry!
Nathan- thank you for reading and commenting, you do make me laugh!
Mick- looks like my training regime finally paid off!!        \
Jay- can't wait to see you when I'm a lean mean cycling machine!
Andy G- i miss you endlessly and thinking about you lots. Love to you and Shona.. Im eating lots of bananas haha- T
Russ- if you are reading this please tell Ted I can't wait to see him


Loads of Love, Tee and Kath. xxxxx  

Hey-y'alll!!!!!

Wowzer!!! Met Tee at Auckland airport yesterday at 2.30pm our time - was amazing to see her after 30 hours travelling! We then had a major rush to get to the bike shop to dump my bike box (bike in perf condition thanks to B&W international bike case!!!!!!) Unfortunately, Kat emptied her pockets onto the floor and low and behold, she had NO KEY!! to get into her bike box... In a mad scramble, we used Tee's bobbypin to try and pick the lock, then in sheer desperation Tee tried to pry the lock off with a screwdriver.. The day was saved as Kat used her lock picking skills (done this before?) to undo the case.. BINGO! pop went the lock.. There was bike oil everywhere and we were sweating up a storm. Now to get the back wheel back on Kath's bike - the 'mechanic' in the bike shop was as much use as a choc fire guard - it would've been better if she had admitted her ZERObike maintenance skills, rather than pretending she knew exactly what to do and MASHING my chain set. ARRRGH!!!!!

Anyway, all set to get there, with time quickly running out we made our way back to the hotel and ordered a maxi taxi to Auckland main city to connect up with our bus.. 40min later we met our charming 'Naked' bus driver (nakedbus.com) who was a little taken aback by 2 girls arriving with bikes and gear.. "Girls, where do you think these are going to go?!" later to tell us "I dont want your shitty bike oil all over my bags." We disembled the bikes yet again and packed them in to the almost empty bag space! Eventually made it to PaiHai 3.5hrs later and checked in at our hotel where we took the bikes up to sleep next to us. Kath had a much appreciated shower (thank god, she was starting to reek- haha i kid) and we conked out. Tee decided to wake me up at 3am with the sound of the kettle whirring as she realised she was thirsty and needed a cup of tea!!!...the water beside her would not suffice. I then thought it was time to go and started to get ready...only for Tee to break the news that I should just return to the land of nod, as we had hours before get up time!!! Glad to report that Kath's sleep talking behaviour has continued on from our Thailand days.. had a little conversation with her last night, and when mentioned this morning, she had no recollection.. Thinking I may have some fun with this ;) hahaha..

About to depart for the Cape - our official; start point, so, lots of love to all. We have both been laughing lots whilst writing this...so should be an awesome trip! Kath & Tee xxxxxxxx

In Auckland baby!

It's beautiful and sunny here in Auckland today! Had a great flight over and picked up my bike so I'm ready to roll!! So glad I upgraded a little and went with the Cannondale- it feels great to ride. Will take him (haven't decided on a name yet) out for a test ride tomorrow morning then pack up to meet Kat at the airport where we will take the bus into Auckland city. After her 25+ hr flight I'm sure Kat will love a comfy hotel bed for the night before we begin camping haha.. Looking forward to seeing my partner in crime and beginning our adventure!!  Fingers crossed for more of this amazing sunshine tomorrow :)

Tee

6 days to go!

Only 6 more days till I hop on the plane to NZ!! Feeling slightly underprepared and know my legs are going to absolutely hate me for a good week into the ride (or perhaps for the whole trip haha) ... Definately looking forward to the challenge- both physical and mental.

Big thanks to Natural High in Auckland who are fitting me out with the bike and gear!  

Not long to go now!!  yipeeee :)

- Tee

2 weeks left- I'm a big ball of excitement and nerves!!

Can't believe there is only 2 weeks left till I fly out to NZ to start a crazy adventure with my partner in fun and frivolities ;) !! Will be giving Kat a ginormous hug when I see her!! 

Have got my bike hire sorted and am stocking up on some extra cycling gear at the moment.. Feeling both excited and nervous- have never done anything like this before! No doubting it is going to be a big challenge!! Telling people about our plan, they either look at me like I'm a total nutter or say 'wow..well..goodluck with that!' haha.. But you know what- impossible is only an opinion..and in my opinion, absolutely anything is possible :) 

19 days to go...

17 days and I'll be taking Ted (my little Jack Russell) to Cornwall to stay with my friend Russ for his holidays, 19 days and I'll be heading to the airport!!! WOWEEE!

Now figured out how to get to the top of NZ to start the ride - getting the bus from Auckland to Paihai, sleeping there for the night then having a ride with Cape Reinga Adventures from Paihai to Cape Reinga on the morning of 30th, ready to begin the journey!!!

Big thanks to Wheelbase, Staveley for helping me out with my cycling kit, and of course, huge thanks to all those generous people who have donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Countdown continued

24 days and I'll be on the aeroplane . . . eeeeek!

Travel insurance now booked! EXCITED!!! So much yet to organise, but the main things are in place!
Big thanks to all who have sponsored me so far - much appreciated :-)