Boo: first hour v slow into strong head wind, chance of making Geraldine to get back on target seemed remote. Much fresh grave! Rain from late morning. Shorts contine problematic.
Yay: Colder temps really helped. Bought some chafe cream alternatives from v helpful pharmacist in Oxford. From Oxford started feeling some power in legs again, happier too! Hungry and eating well. Decide near Methven to back myself and booked motel in Geraldine. Kind woman at mt somers showed me the water tap, had been doing for lots of us. Fast evening into Geraldine, apart from surreal last 30 mins in drizzle along muddy mtb track at 10pm,hard to see with glasses misted but wouldn’t take off as sore eyes since day2, some treefall to avoid!