No Fixed Abode: I wish we had electric bikes

Mon 30 Nov 2015 - Waiheke cycle tour and wine tasting.

We arose with slightly stiff legs and aching bums from yesterday's cycling excursion. but as it had gone so well we decided to do a large loop of the east end of the island with a stop off at the Man O' War vineyard.

Internet access proved problematic in the morning but with a need to book accommodation and activities for the next few days we wasted much time before finally leaving at 1130.

The map we have shows all the roads and paths, is roughly shaded to reflect trees but shows no distances or, most importantly, contours or relief shading. Therefore we set off not knowing what lay ahead for us - we soon found out! The ride out of Onetongi was a very long, steep hill but, being fresh, we powered up it before resting at the top to admire the views. Once rested we enjoyed the downhill run until we reached the turning to Man O' War bay; the location of the vineyard. At this point the road became unsealed and intermittently rutted, especially in the dips. It was also VERY hilly! As the climbs, made especially difficult because of the uneven surface, took their toll on us our progress slowed. At one fine viewpoint we stopped for lunch (the Kiwis have a great knack of providing benches and/or picnic tables at viewpoints) and scoffed all the food we'd brought with us.

After what seemed like an age we finally hit the last, long downhill glide back to sea level and the bay. We'd been told the bay was a 'must see' but in truth, while nice, our lives would be no less rich for not going there. The vineyard, however, was a different story. The wines were gorgeous and we sat, jelly legged, on the veranda overlooking the bay, sipping wine, enjoying the view and tucking into a lovely dessert platter - we needed all the sugar we could get.

Nourished and rested we set off for home down a slightly longer but, we hoped, less demanding track. Unfortunately (but kinda obviously) the long ride down we'd enjoyed was mirrored at the other end of the bay - only this time we were going up. Up until now Glenn had grunted his way up every hill and waited for Yvonne to join him after a mixture of pedalling, cursing, chain restoration and walking. This one though beat him and he had to rest half way up to return his breathing and heart rate to something like normal before continuing.

Another long series of ups and downs, including two stretches that we both walked, brought us to the final hill overlooking Onetangi. We sat in silence on the bench utterly shattered and rejoicing the long ride home. Shattered, sweaty and starving we stumbled up the path and into our cabin to have a nice cuppa and a shower. A wonderful steak dinner was hurriedly devoured and Yvonne retired straight to bed.

I'm sure we'll look back on this trip in a few days time and see the funny, and enjoyable, side but at the moment it feels like with been through an arduous endurance event and finished last.