Day 28 - Hairihari

 Today was a long cycling day….114km and 500m elevation gain.  

Forecast was for rain starting at 10am….so we got up at 0630, and were cycling by 0800….which is when the first raindrops started.  It started off light, then increased to a steady rain….all day!  I toyed with the idea of following the planned route today, which would have taken me off the coast inland to a cowboy town along the wilderness trail.  With the rain I decided to stay along the coast, on the highway instead of on the gravel trail.  The plan was the next town approx 40km away.  I arrived a bit after Annabel- soaked and hungry- it was about noon.  A bowl of soup and some tea to warm up did the trick.  We discussed, and our plan was to go to Ross - 30km away with the plan of continuing on to Harihari 44km past Ross.  

We both set off together, but Annabel followed the wilderness trail, and I stayed on the highway.  The highway was flatter and faster than the gravel trail, so I when I arrived first at Ross, I texted Annabel that I was continuing on to Harihari.  She arrived approximately 20 min after me, wandered into the hotel for something hot to drink, sat in front of a roaring fireplace to warm up….and contemplated stayed there for the night-but continued on as I was already 10km ahead.  

The 44km to Harihari were really difficult….lots of hills, but between the grade remained at 1-2%.  The rain increased, and so did the wind….in our faces.  It was a tough slog to get here….soaking wet and cold.  Unfortunately the hotel doesn’t have any heat….boy that roaring fire in Ross is looking good now!!!!  We should have stayed!!!

The forecast for tomorrow is rain all day, but heavier than today, and wind 10-20 with gusts from 45-55 km/hr!  Yikes.  Don’t think I can cycle in that, so the plan is to stay dry and take the bus.  We will see what tomorrow brings.