Day 8 - Paeroa

 I had a great day today….a fairly early start….lots of dew so everything was still wet when I packed up.  A few cups cookies and juice for breakfast and off I went.  The first 25km were in a road which was right by the water….some spectacular views 😀

Then I got onto a rail trail which was great…no vehicles, and flat but it is slower than the road.  The rail trail lasted for 73km.  I met up with a few cyclists, one couple who are also doing the TA, and a be local who was out to meet a few people.  As nice as the trail is….there was no shade for most of the day, so it was really hot.  I have a thin yellow shirt with a hood that prevents me from burning…and I often pull up the hood under my helmet….which is a sight!  Someone said that I look biblical!!!  Hahaha!  Just trying to prevent any sunburns.  

Photo checkpoint #7 - Waikato cows.  In the past decade, the placid bovine has surpassed the sheep as the icon of New Zealand’s economy.  4.5 million cows!  Dairying makes up 1/3 of the country’s exports.  Most of the cows that we see are black and white, but around here many are brown and white, and some seem to be a mixture the top is brown and white, the bottom is black and white.  

I’ve run into another Canadian cyclist - from Edmonton!  Just lives a few km from us!  He rides with the Edmonton cycling and touring club, so we may meet again.  😀