Breakdown

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We managed to get a ride to the pub that was 3 miles beyond our motel so the evening was saved.  In the pub was the motel owner's husband, busy rehydrating after a day driving trucks for a road construction crew.  He was already there drinking when we arrived and had at least 5 more while we where there......then drove himself home.  Luckily he didn't offer us a lift!

Using a clever formula that factors in distance and climb today was estimated to be the third hardest of the trip.  It didn't disappoint. It was 80 lumpy miles with a mix of head and cross winds and temperatures that nudged into the 30's.  

An early challenge in the day was a mechanical problem.  The bracket that attaches the battery for my electric gears sheared and the battery unit went bowling down the road.  Luckily it was undamaged and 5 minutes later was reattached with duct tape - not pretty but it works fine.  Over the last 13 years that I have been doing this nonesense I have yet to encounter a mechanical problem that cannot be fixed, or at least bodged, from the contents of a very small tools and spares bag.   That should have nicely cursed tomorrow's ride!

After that it was just a bit of a slog.  Some of it was very pretty and none of it was horrible but the miles came hard and we were very glad to reach our motel in Te Awamatu. This time we had left nothing to chance and secured our recovery drink on the way in and we are now basking in the early evening sun and....err.....recovering.

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