5KM past Ranana the gravel ends! This is the best day cycling yet, the road is quiet and the landscape interesting. The road winds through the valley by the Whanganui River, it is warm, there are some climbs and good descents, and we have a tailwind so we make good time.
Our lunch is at a lovely roadside campspot. Along the way Peter races with a cat and we herd sheep with our bikes. We don't intend to but they are on the road ahead of us and can't seem to find a field to turn off into. There are a few small communities along the way.
Before we reach Whananui we make the steep climb up Aramoana Saddle, stopping along the way and at the top for photos. It is steep but rideable.
It is a windy road down, we take it slow as it is narrow and must give way to traffic coming uphill.
I take a photo of the sign for the Whanganui River Road. We missed the Bridge to Nowhere as we would have to either hike or take a boat to see it (Bridge built during war to create jobs, but never became a developed area, so it doesn't go anywhere).
With a tailwind, the 14KM to Whanganui is ok. The pedestrian walk across the train bridge saves us 6-10KM to get to the Motorcamp (on the outskirts of Whanganui) on the other side of the river.
Cheapest takeaway yet $2.60 for a piece of fish & chips (good size order).
We spend three nights as the forcast is rainy & windy and it holds true. In town we walk around, get groceries, update blog at library (I can finally download photos!) and check out the Art Gallery in a beautiful old building.
Day 21 cycling 63KM
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