Follow the Grey Gravel Road

Up and over the 309 road to Whitianga—my first taste of Aotearoa gravel. I was mesmerized by the cacophony of bird calls resounding through the thick bush. I stopped near to the top to visit massive Kauri trees, the blessed few left untouched by colonial logging and, now, Kauri dieback disease. I arrived at Shazzy’s house (a cyclist I met the day before) exhausted by exhilarated, declaring that I’d fallen in love with gravel. The next night, I hopped 6km down the road to stay with Chrissy during which time we went on a nice walk and enjoyed some stargazing from her hot tub.Read more