Today is the first day I travel towards south :-) but there is a little place in my mind where I feel sad. It is weird but I'm really motivated to cycle back to the Ninety Mile beach camp which is between 90 and 100km away. Hence, I WANT to ride on the beach this time because, with Peter, we took only the main road so far.
It’s 9.30am already, I’m ready to go, Peter is not. I’m leaving anyway because he is always way faster than me so he will catch me up for sure.
On the road
I had one break after the first 20km where I met other touring cyclists. A certain Karl and his friend. They are Kiwis and really cool :-) We set up a rendez-vous in the south of the south island because they are travelling on the opposite direction. At 48km, I am having now a second break at Te Kao (Maps). It’s time to eat something and wait for Peter. I’m really surprise that he is not here yet. I might improve myself maybe :-)
Motivation, motivation! I have to thanks all the cows for encouraging me :-).
Nice and flat piece of road. After hilly parts it is always enjoyable but I know after a while I will be happy to climb again.
Ahaaah! I recognize this hill, that’s Houhora Heads (Maps) :-). Around 65km now. I’m getting closer and closer to the road which will guide me to the beach. I want to ride the last 20km on it :-).
71km and I turned to the right at Pukenui. I’m going through 10km in the forest to join the beach.
Finally I smell the end of this sandy road. I changed my mind along the way. There is a camp somewhere nearby and it will be certainly cheaper than the one of Ninety Mile beach. I can try…
It’s still a sand landscape but it’s always beautiful :-)
I wonder why do I look so serious but I’m happy inside, really. I have the sunlight in the eyes, that must be why ;-)
My super set up, always with me (it’s better haha). You might have notice that I am carrying way less stuff compared to that day. That’s because I left one bag at Ninety Mile beach camp which I will take back tomorrow.
I forgot to show you something… The energy pocket, very Very VERY important!
Finally found the camp
I’m waiting for Peter but maybe he has changed his way… I can go to the camp called Utea Park (Maps). This one is really cheaper than the other. It works with donations.
Some cabins.
The common area.
Setting up camp
The place to camp. There is 3 checked people here. They are working around and don’t want to communicate in english… I’ve tried to ask them some questions but they just answer quickly and that’s it. So, no worries, I don’t care. I just want to eat something, write my dairy and sleep. Tomorrow I will have plenty of time because I’ll be allowed to ride on the beach at 1pm (because of the tide) so the morning is off :-)
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