I’m in Kaitaia - starting the Brevet tomorrow morning

 A lovely overcast day has kept the temps down to 26C Whoop Whoop!!!  A much better day cycling today….still struggling when the hills get to 8-9-10% grade, but below I’m doing better and able to ride up.  My new bike doesn’t have the same gearing as my old one so I’m working a bit harder but it is about 15lbs lighter….so might just offset!  

Tomorrow morning at 0600 I will take a shuttle that will get me to the start - Cape Reinga and the first of 30 photo checkpoints that I will take to prove that I was on the trail.  

I went through all my clothing and gear, and have removed another 1.8 km of gear and sent it off to Christchurch.  It feels a little ridiculous right now to keep a toque and mitts, along with the thermal leggings and top, but apparently on the South Island the temps dipped to 6C!  So I may just want the cold weather gear with me.  

I made it…. I’m starting to think that getting to the start of the Brevet is one of the more challenging aspects of this event!!!  

I saw this in the previous town I passed, and below is what is written on the signpost beside it.  

Coopers beach, just 5 km from where I spent the last night

Breakfast café

I have food for breakfast, to eat during the drive, and food for tomorrow while I’m cycling, and some extra water.  I’m not expecting to find any nice little cafés on the beach!