Up a bit late and into the car, there are a few things to see driving from Ahipara to the start of the ride. A famous dairy at town whose name I forget :( for one. No photo for not having a camera ready as we whiz past.
Not too many signs of damage from Gabrielle. A fuel station that we desperately needed for Sonne’s trip home.
Arriving at the Cape, we have three main tasks: set up bikes and bodies (gear, sunscreen butt butter, etc), walk to the lighthouse and take a control photo, and collect/set satellite trackers. Wayne hires an official one. I brought my own Garmin which had been setup and tested and just needs turning on.
There are a few nerves and for me a bit of trepidation at what’s ahead along with wondering if we have missed anything, but mostly the same momentum toward getting pedalling that carried us to this place. Also a bit of awe at being at the top of the country for the first time ever.
Setup tick, walk tick, toilet tick, trackers tick. Goodbye Sonne and we’re off.