Day 8- Whakarmaru to Epic Camp on Timber Trail

Today was probably on of the most challenging days in all my years of riding.

The day started at the guest house with breakfast at 7.00 am and on the road by about 7.45 am.

The day was a perfect on for tidy with virtually no wind and clear skies. The temperature started in the teens and got up to around 25 degrees on the afternoon.

The road out from Whakarmaru was good then we started on the timber trail with a climb of 16 kms climbing about 650 metres.All quite doable in theory but the track was quite challenging. We started the climb at 11.00 am and finished it at about 1.00 pm!

It was then on to the second climb 10 kms with 650 metres of climbing which took us to 970 metres above sea level.

To be frank I was knackered at the top but enjoyed the trip down.

We also saw the plaque showing the centre of the North Island of NZ

Then it was on the Camp Epic where we are staying the night and to be frank the last 10 kms were a real struggle for me as I was getting tired and my concentration lapse was a constant concern. I had one minor fall and was ok thankfully.

We finally reached our destination at 7.55 pm after riding 72 kms and climbing 1500 metres.

Unfortunately my Garmin played up again which is a real bummer!

The pictures today are as follows:

The map of the ride

Bridge at the start of the first climb

Sign post to centre of the island

The centre of the island

At the highest point of the climb…bit tired!!

Couple of shots of swing bridges. Wonderful structures

Home for the night under canvass at camp epic