Wed Feb 8 (Opoutere to Whitianga, 63km):

Even though we'd had some rain overnight, the day dawned birght and sunny again. 

As usual, the day started with 30-minutes of steady climbing followed by an exhilirating downhill.  

Then we stopped for coffee at Tairua, a pretty little tourist town.  After our break, Jenni discovered that her front tire was flat.  So with Martel's help, the tube was changed.  And, you guessed it: another 20-min climb out of Tairua.   There was added spice to this one since there were times when the 6-inch shoulder ended in a steep, cliff-like drop-off!  So you had to pay attention on this climb.

We all ended up at Hot Springs Beach for lunch.  There are two hot springs (water as hot as 65C) running under the beach so if you dig a hole in the right spot on the beach, you can sit in your own personal hot tub!  The water can be so hot, you may have to add cold water to bring it to a bearable temperature.  While a couple of us went swimming, most of us contented ourselves with looking at all the people digging their pools/wallows.

The last 15 km of the ride went past an incredible number of beautiful beaches and really pretty vistas.

Then after a 2-min ferry ride (for people and bikes only, Martel had to drive around), another kilometre or so brought us to the On the Beach Backpackers Lodge (otherwise known as YHA Whitianga).  Aptly named, it really is on the beach.  So for the first time I actually went into the water, since it at our doorstep.

Then it was back to the hostel for a dinner of pizza, salad and ice cream.

Tomorrow is supposed to be long (almost 100km) and difficult (our steepest hill yet).  So everyone headed to bed early.