Opito

Day 192, Thursday 1 March.

I rode up to Opito, a small beach settlement north of Whitianga, with a couple of companions. Black Jack Road which leads to Opito was mostly gravel but not at all difficult and had some pleasant views to the north. Opito beach, at the eastern end of this promentory, is long, wide and sandy but doesn’t have shade.

We went on along a rougher road to Matapaua Bay on the south side of the promentory. This has a much smaller population, and it is a moderate-sized bay, with a sandy beach and shade from pohutukawa trees. I prefer this to Opito beach.

Back in Whitianga for lunch, we caught up with others in our party who reported heavy rain on their southerly ride. We had planned to all go to Hahei and Hot Water Beach this afternoon, but that plan is now on hold and the rain has reached Whitianga.

First photo at Opito, second at Matapaua.

Distance travelled: 57 km. Total distance so far: 25,230 km