8 April

Yesterday was an relaxing and preparation day for today I´m headning southweast, my intermediate destination is the the lakes Tekapo and Pukaki but
I wasn’t feeling great — a bit warm and off — so I went to bed early.

When I woke up I still was a bit off, probably a slight fever. The hostel was full booked so I couldn´t stay for another day.

If I get worse while cycling I’ll have to find a cheap hostel down the road. There is lots of them so it gonna no be a problem.
After handing in the towel and keys, I cycle through the city and through the divinely beautiful park Hagley Park. The weather is sunny but warm or cool depending on how you look at the weather. I can’t find a cheap hotel or hostel but in all honesty, I’m not looking for one either.

After 7-8 km my thoughts about afternoons camping and also it was long time I sleept in my  Marmot sleeping bag! If I’m not mistaken, it was the l
ast night of the tent camping before I cycled across the border to China.

Few seconds later, a new thought came up. Where is the sleeping bag? In which bag… ehhh? No one will be the answer.
It remains in the dryer at the hostel. Shit,  anything just cycle back and get it, just cycle back and pick it up. Too expensive to just leave it, it cost 390 $.

Half past 1 I left Kiwi hostel for the second time this day. Same route.

The road is flat and well–trafficked. Has tailwind and it feels relatively easy. The landscape varies between large cattle meadows with cows and sheep and vineyards.

I’m fascinated by all the cattles. The cows are in their hundreds, as well as the sheeps. That New Zealand is a cattle and agricultural country THERE is no
doubt about

The communities also appear at regular intervals. The mountains on my right are all white–clad and majestic.. There are a few stops for water filling and at Rolleston I turn in to find a café bar. Cafe Culture will be my choice which is located in a shopping center.

I only bought coffe, cookies I bring with me from my handelbar bag. Before I left Rollestone I stepped into the gasstation for two bottles of water.

The road is both flat and straight and I still have some tailwind. My suspected fever seems to be a thing of the past, I feelt much better. The sun has been shining all day, but as I approach Rakaia I feel a little tired, it is slowly starting to sink. Just before 6 pm I cross the Rakaia River over a long bridge, 1800 meters. Not much water in the river, maybe low tide.

Train bridge over Rakaia river

Rakaia bridge one of the longest in New Zealand

Shortly after the bridge, and before I reached the village, I spotted a very nice green patch on the right-hand side.

The grass looked freshly cut, with no rubbish, cans, or empty plastic bottles in sight. In the middle of the green area stood a large table, perfect for my dinner, garbage bin and a few big, green trees.

I was able to lean my bicycle against — and lock it to — a small wall built like two stone pillars with a plank between them.

My camp place Rakaia

After I pitch up my tent I was ready for some kitchen chores. Pasta, meatballs, a beer and then obligatory coffee with cake. Before I crawl into my tumbel dry marmot sleepingbag I took care om my hygiene. I also check up my route for tomorrow, Geraldine or close to. My Garmin GPS hshows the route is quite flat, just few hills to climb.

Listened to one of my downloaded Swedish radio programs. Even though you’re on a bike trip on the other side of the world you have to keep an eye on what’s going on at home.

Later I woke up to the train roaring past above me, which I didn’t notice when I pitched the tent.

Salmon monument in Rakaia. Raika town has taken its name from the river which also knows for its salmon fishing and jetboating

Total distance 79,8 km Travel time 04.32 h.m Total time 07.00 h.m
Max speed 33,7 km/h Medium speed  17,6 km/h
Max temp 23,0 °C Average temp 18,1 °C Min temp 13,0 °C
Max elevation  110 m.a.s.l Min elevation  8,0 m.a.s.l Total elevation  248 m

See Yeah Later
P-G
// The Global Cyclist