TA day 6: Paeroa to Arapuni
Distance 79km, Elevation Gain 417m
Cruisy morning, riding in beautiful sunshine and glorious scenery along the rest of Hauraki Rail Trail to Te Aroha - with the eponymous hill a spectacular backdrop - then on to Matamata, and lunch.
Road riding out to join the Waikato River Trail involved a fraught 12km on SH29, and 1km on SH1. Enjoyable ride on WRT compromised somewhat by Andy's sudden and unplanned dismount on a gravelly downhill. Fortunately no serious injury to man or bike, so onwards to Arapuni. Having failed to get accommodation pre-booked, we were winging it, and were resigned to camping with cold food. However Lady Luck smiled on us and we ended up with hot shower, cold beers, a bucketload of pasta al fredo, and separate double beds in the mother of all gypsy caravans! Hallelujah and praise be to our hero and saviour Graham (and wife Jolene) who built the thing himself!
