Day 9: Monday - Timber trail to Owhango


The morning started fine, but high cloud mostly blocked the sun today. Packed up the wet (dewy) tent and cycled the last 45km of the timber trail - a great, varied cycle with big suspension bridges to cross. The trail finished at a quiet road leading to Ongarue. I was cycling next to Millie when truck approached from behind -  the road was wide, straight, and with nothing coming the other way, but the driver screamed abuse at us as he passed, then further up the road stopped, actually fell out of his cab, and then got up and continued screaming abuse! I didn't stop, fearing violence - I wondered if he was drunk or on meth? I should have got the license plate and called the police, but it didn't occur to me till later.

An easy cycle followed to Taumaranui, and a late lunch with Millie, Matt, a couple of other TA cyclists, and Miles, a non-TA cyclist who'd been with us since Mangakino. I left the others for the final 25km push to Owhango (not quite a literal push, but it was a big hill!). Kris and Chris (fresh from WOMAD festival) picked me up for a break at our bach in Horopito.






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