Bent On New Zealand: Day20 Mon 05/12 - Picton Jade Lodge to Rai Valley Brown River Camp

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Day20 Mon 05/12 - Picton Jade Lodge to Rai Valley Brown River Camp

Today Distance : 67.5 km Total: 867.1 km

Today weather : 18 - 31C Sunny

Time on Bike : 4 hr 47 min

Ave speed : 14.1 kmh Max :50.1 kmh

Ave Climb : 2% Max :7%

Trip Altitude : 606 m Max : 268 m

Today spend : 1.1 nzd Total : 335.3 nzd

Today roll out from the Jade Lodge just right on time 10 am. The Malaysian caretaker Jeremy from Batu Pahat, Johor wanted to take photos with me,very friendly young chap who gave a discount of 4 nzd on my room and a tower free of charge. After filling up my fuel bottle(1.1nzd ,petrol seems to be slightly more expensive in the South than the North Island), i started my ride on the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive, a gradual climb along the coast line with several Lookout Point, a Malaysian couple from Kluang, Johor( Kent and Evonce)on their car approached me "Are you from Malaysia?" most probably they must have saw the Malaysian flag. They are on a working holiday here. Havelock is a marina town down in the valley with lots of sailing boats, the climbs were not so tough and so I continued further to Pelorus Bridge where there is a paid campground but was rather too expensive. From the GPS,I knew there is a free river camp just another 8km down the main road SH6, the weather was just perfect for my riding recorded highest at 31C. Arriving at the Brown River Camp by 4pm,thought of going down the beautiful clear river for a swim,but when i first touch the water,it was so cold even though the sun is still shining,quickly I changed my mind and just back to boiling up a pot of hot water to wipe clean my body. Beautiful day and a wonderful campsite,the highlight for today's ride.