Day 10 - From Sunrise to Sunset. We reach the edge of the island!
Today marked the grand finale of Tour Kopiko, and what a ride it's been! Over the past 10 days, we've covered an astounding 1060+ km, conquering mountains, valleys, and everything in between. Most certainly one for the memory banks!
As we take a moment to look back on our final day's adventure and all the incredible sights we've soaked in, it's impossible not to be awestruck by the sheer beauty of New Zealand’s North Island.
Our day started from the middle of nowhere, amidst a logistical nightmare. However, eventually, we all got to where we needed to be and reconnected with one another in Lepperton for a coffee and scone. We then set off to New Plymouth. Along the way, we passed landmarks like the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, the Golf course, the laid-back Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park, and the serene mouth of Te Henui Stream. Since it was a Sunday, the walking and biking trails were filled with bikers, walkers, skateboarders, families, and dogs. Lots of smiling faces as the sun shined.
The final leg from New Plymouth to Cape Egmont involved negotiating a muddy, challenging single track. Outside of New Plymouth, we began our final climb, 20 km 400+ meters, in a strong headwind. Once on top, we rolled through the hills in the rain near the Pukeiti Gardens and Café, and the historic Parihaka village. Pukeita is known as a tropical rainforest, and yes, it lived up to its name as the rain fell upon us one last time. We then began our descent from the clouds to the sunshine of the coast. At long last, we arrived at our ultimate destination – the iconic Cape Egmont Lighthouse. Standing tall and proud, this beacon has been guiding sailors since 1865 and for us was a true symbol of resilience and strength.
As we gathered at the finish line, emotions ran high. There was a real sense of pride and accomplishment for completing this journey, mixed with a twinge of sadness that it's all come to an end. But hey, as they say, all good things must come to an end, right? And besides, the memories we've made and the sights we've seen will stay with us forever. Isn’t it ironic that just 10 days ago, we were the first to see the sunrise, and today we were the last to watch the sunset.
Finally, to my beautiful wife Linda and friends, Meg, Vince, Simon, and our new friends Nick and Eugene, the driver, of our support vehicle who've also been a big part of our TK team – you guys rock! Your determination, your spirit, your camaraderie have made this journey truly unforgettable. We are thrilled to have reached the finish line in support of our wonderful Tara Iti Whānau Trust, which I know makes a meaningful difference in lives of many people, organizations, and local clubs. To the Tara Iti membership, team, and wider Mangawhai community, we cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support and motivation to get us to this point.
Should you still wish to donate to our cause, please feel free to contact me or click on our Givealittle page.
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/tour-kopiko-2024
Until we meet again, keep the wheels spinning and keep exploring the world around you! Here's to an epic Tour Kopiko and to many more adventures that lie ahead.
Signing off, over and out!
Matt and the TI and TK teams!
