Tour Aotearoa Day 2: Tapotupotu Bay to Huketere, 46 miles, 2,231 elevation | 90 Mile Beach

Riding Stats

Accommodations

Route Tracker

What an unforgettable day on so many levels. It was gorgeous, it was challenging and it’s the first time we’ve ever ridden down a stream (not across the water, down the stream).

But first coffee and filtering four liters of water for today’s ride.

Once we got rolling we had a lovely ride to the turn off for Te Paki Stream, our access to 90 Mile Beach. Not gonna lie, I was a little apprehensive about riding distance through sand and water to get to 90 Mile Beach, but it was easier than riding to the turn off. You can have a look at what riding in Te Paki looked like in the video at the bottom.

At the end, the stream opened up to a vast view of the Tasman Sea. It was incredible! What wasn’t incredible was the strong headwind and gusts. I thought it was my lack of training but after talking to locals at the end of the day, indeed, it was a b$tt kicker of a gusty day.

It reminded us of riding through the dessert near Glamis, California on the Southern Tier. On top of that we didn’t plan well for food and basically were riding on no food/no energy. Won’t do that again.

Just when you’re looking for something more to look at than the Tasman Sea, a new friend shows up.

When we got to Huketere, Gabi, owner of the campground, suggested we try some tua tua, the shellfish we’d seen people collecting on the beach. They would remind you of tiny oysters. I tried them but I think they are an acquired taste. Actually it’s not the taste, it’s the texture!

We met an interesting couple from Spain traveling with their five year old. Paul and Maria have their own business. He is a performer and she, a musician. To be honest, he is a clown but after looking at their Insta, he is a definitely a performer.

And Jane from the South Island, who is also riding the TA is supported by her husband driving this rig while we are traveling lighter in our little tent.

It’s not just the cycling but the people we meet along the way and learning more about the place we are visiting.

There’s much more to share about today but will close for now for some sleep.

Big thanks to Tom for trying to work as a human windshield today. He would have probably finished at noon if not for ole untrained grandma. 😊

Click on the image below for today’s video.