Tour Aotearoa Day 11: Te Ahora to Arohena Landing, 64 miles, 3,250 feet elevation | The Kiss of a Tailwind

Riding Stats

Accommodations

Route Tracker

We enjoyed our zero day so much and especially town food and even a little wine.

A whole day off, however, leaves us restless so we were eager to get on the road this morning.

Tom looked out the window last night and saw some of our Canadian buds stopped in town. I immediately recognized Amelia by her yellow neon socks. I couldn’t see anything else but I knew it was her by her socks and ran out barefoot to give them hugs. So good to see them! Those crazy Canadian bebes (as we lovingly call them) rode all day in the rain, taking the more difficult trail, and were camping just outside Te Ahora. No probs for these strong women.💪🏻

We enjoyed the kiss of a tailwind for most of the day and it’s amazing what that will do for your energy. A little rain in the morning didn’t deter us (or the sheep) from getting on about the day.

In Matamata we stopped to take pics at the Hobbitown exhibit near where Lord of the Rings was filmed.

Matamata marks the end of the Hauraki Trail which began back in Kaiaua along the Firth of Thames. It’s a fantastic trail and if you ever get to New Zealand and don’t want cycle the entire North Island, this would be a good section to consider.

We began the Waikato River Trail which included some beautiful single track and a “new to us” extended ride on a boardwalk.

We found a campsite at Arohena Landing on Lake Arapuni and took a quick dip after the tent was set up.

Shortly after dinner we had company! The Canadians and our pal Zach.

We are just missing Pippin, Tasha and Jenine and the posse would be complete.

Now… the thing about tailwinds… they are great until you miss your turn off for the campground and have to turn around and head INTO the wind to backtrack a couple miles. Then it’s more like a face slap than a kiss. My advice is don’t ever let me give directions.😂

Here’s proof of just that.

Click on the image below to view today’s video.