Day 42 Tue 27/12 - Christchurch Vagabond Backpackers to Waipara River Bridge Camp

Today Distance : 63.5 km    Total: 2484.5 km

Today weather : 16 - 33C     Sunny and Windy

Time on Bike : 4 hr 54 min

Ave speed : 13.0 kmh       Max : 33 kmh

Ave Climb : 2%                Max :7%

Trip Altitude : 191 m            Max : 257 m

Today spend : 0.8 nzd     Total : 817.6 nzd

As usual I started late at 10.30 morning after cooking a yummy big breakfast and spent some to check and clean my bike.This has become a normal practice whenever I put up a night in backpackers or hostels. Riding out of Christchurch is so much easier than Dunedin,the streets are so quiet,empty and less tracfic,surprisingly the outskirt looks more busy than the city center, taking on a smaller SH74 Main South Road passing Redwood,Kaiapoi and then merging with the busy SH1 to Amberley,after Amberley I was caught in a very strong headwind,pedaling with only my granny gear of 7-10kmh for 10km until the turn-off junction in Waipara. Found a nice camping spot under bridge with Waipara river. This is a playing ground for motocross and ATV but I stay put to camp anyway. Tomorrow will be taking the SH 7 detour to Picton cos' SH1 can only reach until Kaikoura, and from Kaikoura to Picton is still closed after the earthquake.

Morning breakfast

I am on FIRE

Kaikoura to Picton section still closed,so have to take a longer route SH7

Waipara River Bridge Camp

Waipara River Bridge Camp

Waipara River Bridge Camp

Waipara River Bridge Camp

Day 41 Mon 26/12 - Rakaia Pine Forest Camp Christchurch Vagabond Backpackers

Today Distance :  61.7 km    Total: 2421.0 km

Today weather : 12 - 20C     Cloudy

Time on Bike : 4 hr 15 min

Ave speed : 14.5 kmh       Max : 27.4 kmh

Ave Climb : 2%                Max :4%

Trip Altitude : 28 m            Max : 255 m

Today spend : 104.2 nzd     Total : 816.8 nzd

Relax and easy ride to the city of Christchurch on a cloudy weather and flat terrain. But was rather disappointed seems that the city is still not fully recovered from the previous earthquake which rocked the city.lots of empty lands turned into temporary parking,and houses were abandoned,guess many have moved out from the city after the quake. To me,it looks like a ghost city,and is scary when I am walking out from Vagabond Backpackers for 20 minutes walk to Countdown Supermarket. Bought a new 20" tyres to replace the supposed to be good Schwalbe brand.

Arrived Christchurch and still going strong

Long bridge and railway line after Rakaia

Dunsandel

Goodbye to my front Schwallbe tyres

Location of my 3rd puncture

Rolleston

Templeton

Replaced with a brand new front 20" tyres for 14 nzd after 30% discount

Vagabond Backpackers 27nzd 

The effect of previous earthquake still can be seen

The effect of previous earthquake still can be seen 

Numbers of fortune

Day 40 Sun 25/12 - St Andrews Seaside Camp to Rakaia Pine Forest Camp

Today Distance :  129.6 km    Total: 2359.3 km

Today weather : 12 - 20C     Cloudy

Time on Bike : 8 hr 54 min

Ave speed : 14.6 kmh       Max : 48.9 kmh

Ave Climb : 2%                Max :7%

Trip Altitude : 352 m            Max : 258 m

Today spend : 0 nzd     Total : 712.6 nzd

Merry X'mas !!! I celebrated with my longest ride distance of 129.6km and 9 hours on the saddle.What a crazy way indeed!! There were several factors resulting such a long ride, 1st, is the cooling cloudy weather perfect for cycling even though initially it threatening to rain.2nd, an early 7.30 am start for fear of rain in the morning.3rd,the terrain is so flat n straight.4th,there is no head or cross wind in fact a little tailwind. 5th,my intention to shorten the ride into Christchurch tomorrow should be around 60 km. 6th, being a public holiday,the traffic is less and many ghost towns I just rode passed with all shops and supermarkets closed.And a nice campsite after Rakaia surrounded with pine trees without lightnings and jingle bells to celebrate Christmas!!!

Timaru

Timaru

Narrow bike lane over a bridge

The sky is overcast threatening to rain

Rakaia famous for Salmon fish

Nice spot for a night sleep

Preparing to set up my tent

Tent is up,now coffee time

Fast flowing river

Pine Forest Camp

Natural cloths hanger

Day 39 Sat 24/12 - Oamaru Red Kettle YHA Hostel to St Andrews Seaside Camp

Today Distance :  76.8 km    Total: 2229.7 km

Today weather : 14 - 24C     Sunny with crosswind 

Time on Bike : 5 hr 50 min

Ave speed : 13.2 kmh       Max : 25.9 kmh

Ave Climb : 1%                Max :4%

Trip Altitude : 146 m            Max : 254 m

Today spend : 0 nzd     Total : 712.6 nzd

If not for the crosswind,today's ride can easily achieve 100km on a very flat and straight terrain. I am 20km short of reaching Timaru and no plan of staying in backpackers in town,so i decided to look for free camp after my cyclometer had recorded 70km. There will be one after St Andrews according to NZ camping App. So I filled up my 3 litres water bottles as there won't be any facilities along the seaside. The beach is not suitable for swimming as the current and wave is too strong and dangerous,a Tsunami warning signboard to inform escape route.I am the only camper around and later few anglers came to fishing in the ocean.

Ready to roll from Red Kettle Hostel