An early Free Play section allowed some of us to stretch our legs as we rolled through picturesque hills in a typical New Zealand rural setting—scattered avocado and Kiwi farms amidst dairy farms.
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We made an early stop at the 30-kilometre mark to refuel before tackling a long stretch of coastline flanked by Papamoa Beach. In the distance, eagle-eyed viewers could spot White Island, the site of a tragic eruption in 2019. The volcano was still active and bubbling away in the distance.
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The coastal ride before the inland turnoff posed a challenge for Team Marshall White, who had to work hard at the front against a strong headwind. Every third vehicle that passed us seemed to be a B-double truck, carrying enough logs to rebuild Rotorua.
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Our second stop was at the base of the most significant climb of the day: a 12-kilometre stretch that rises 400 meters to the tablelands of Rotorua. At the base, it was hard not to be distracted by the towering green wall ahead. It was particularly unhelpful as our bodies were rapidly cooling down. However, our spirits remained high.
The grueling 12km climb was successfully conquered by everyone, which is an incredible feat considering we have now covered approximately 700kms as at the end of Day 5. Lunch was served at the summit of the climb, with our incredible support crew cheering us on, which we are getting too used to at this point.
After lunch, we crested the tablelands and entered a new climate characterised by ferns and rainforest-like surroundings. Just as we were enjoying the ride along Lake Rotoiti, we were suddenly hit by a sulphur bomb, signalling our arrival in Rotorua, our destination for the evening of Day 5.
The accommodation looks fantastic, and our spirits are high as we move into the final stages of the challenge, 2 days remaining. We are all incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and the causes we ride for remain a constant source of inspiration.
