346.1km later...

The Coromandel was gorgeous. From rolling hills of velvet speckled with sheep to gnarled pohutakawa trees lining the winding coastal road, leaning over to kiss the ocean, mountain forests with ferns unfolding, spiraling upwards to reach a wispy sky, up hills and cruising down, waking up to tentlight and coffee, hurting muscles... following the song.

Lessons so far..

• To put a chain back on, push the bendy bit @ the back forward to loosen the chain so you can slide it back over the cog, let go & pedal backwards. My chain came off about 4 times the 1st day of riding. Now I have gear changing sorted its not a problem!!
• Wait until you are going reasonably fast before changing into 2nd front cog from 1st or the chain will come off. pause & slide it up.
• Pedaling should be a circular motion, not just pumping up & down (well mostly down!) but pulling up also. smooth is key. if you don't get this technique you will kill your knee joints.
• Seats are never going to be soft enough. Adding extra padding helps eg carpet insulation found on the side of the road. Padded bike shorts are also a must (& super sexy).
• Each day one should aim to add one more crazy item to ones cycling outfit. Items such as knee-support bandages (necessary for sore joints if you do not follow previous lesson), yellow reflective vests, stripy socks... This will increase your authenticity as a cyclist & make you more visible for...
• City traffic & truck drivers are crazy. If you hear a log truck with a trailer coming, the best move is to get off your bike & brace yourself for the wind burst that will follow as it zooms past you, barely leaving enough room for standing. They can see you in your super cool reflective outfit & padded shorts. They just don't get it/ don't care/ think the road is for cars.
• Hills are tough. But what goes up must come down... eventually. The view from the top is worth getting up there for..and if you are really struggling on a 3km, 400m hill climb, get off, push your bike, look helpless & a kind motorist with a truck will probably stop & drive you to the top. There is no shame in this-you are conserving energy for the next few 100kms!
• Always carry chocolate, muslei bars, water. Eat lots. You deserve it for getting up all those hills (even if it was by car!).
• Put on warm clothes as soon as you get to the top of a hill. Coming down gets cold in the wind.
• Relations that live along the way can be a godsend. Call them. Even if you've never met them before. Family is family!
• Beer is good. Wine-tasting en-route is fun also. Don't drink more than a glass though. It doesn't help with the hills. really.
• Carry a radio. Great for music, weather updates, gossip...
• Leave the fat heavy book on Mao behind. You won't read it anyway.
• Train before doing a cycle tour of the country. or not. if not, prepare to get sore & injured.
• If possible take a gorgeous man to carry your tent, food, heavy stuff, give you back rubs & compliment you on your awesome outfit. If this is not possible, take a good friend who is a) a cyclist (so they can teach you to put a chain on) b) a doctor (esp necessary if one has done no training).
• Take a mug, utensils, plates (old chinese take-out boxes are perfect plates-bowl, cutting board, plate & storage in one). Or take a friend who will remember to bring this stuff & borrow it off them.
• Slow it down & enjoy the journey =)

Back in Auckland now.. just when I thought i'd escaped!! Knees are pretty sore. Hoping they'll recover with a couple of days rest & drugs. Thinking this is from a)my seat being too low b) bad technique going uphill so will fix those both.