Day 1 - Auckland to Miranda - 110 km, 1189 m climbing
Whacked! Whacked is how I feel right now. 110 km's in close to 30 degrees mostly. However a shower, two bottles of Lemon Lime and Bitters have helped to meke me feel something like human once again. A big vote of thanks go out to Shelley and Paul who looked after me so well these last few days - first a nice relaxing time at their great bach at Ngarimu Bay and then in thier Ponsonby apartment. I got away from Sheeley and Paul's just after 7:00 AM and rode out to the Hearland Hotel at the Airport to join up with Peter and Stephen who had flown in from Melbourne early Moday morning. A stop at Countdown had our rolls and fruit for lunch sorted along with another coffee for the boy's then it was back on the trail. A perfect riding day to begin with although later on it did heat up and we need to ask a local for some water as well as School along the way - both happy to provide. About 20 - 25 km from the end i got severe cramping in my iner thigh that made turning the pedals o...