Bent On New Zealand

Friday, December 2, 2016

Day17 Fri 02/12 - Feilding Woofing Home to Waikanae Beach Camp

Today Distance : 115.8 km Total: 719.3 km

Today weather : 14 - 18c Sunny

Time on Bike : 7 hr 42 min

Ave speed : 15.0 kmh Max :53.0 kmh

Ave Climb : 2% Max :10%

Trip Altitude : 407 m Max : 267 m

Today spend : 53.8 nzd Total : 227.3 nzd

Thank you so much Trevor and wife Ellen for waking up early morning to prepare breakfast and packed rice for my journey. The morning weather was chilling cold from last night rain,but it did not dampen my spirit of riding today.After bidding farewell to my friendly host, I followed Trevor's recommendation on inner small road instead of the main road, after some manageable climbs to Sanson,and then back to SH1 all the way ,the traffic is a lot more heavier but good thing is ,the shoulder is wide enough with mostly flat terrain.At 60km mark arriving in Foxton town,and 80km in Levin by 1.30pm stopping for my packed rice, the sun started to shine with me making a good speed and distance to Otaki,and finally to my destination for today in Waikanae. Before riding to the Waikanae Beach campsite,I did some shopping in New World Supermarket. The campsite has the cleanest ,state of art system with automatic door. Tomorrow will be riding to Wellington,the capital of New Zealand.

Good bye and thank you so much to my wonderful host Trevor n Ellen

Country road recommended by Trevor

Arrived Sanson small town after some hill climbs

Back on SH1 and its very flat all the way

Rest stop by the roadside with picnic table

Heading in direction to Wellington

Foxton town

Follow the cycle path under an old bridge

River under the old bridge

Follow the cycle path under an old bridge

Lunch break in Levin

My 1st isotonic drink compliment from a chinese store

Welcome to Levin

Manakau town coming up

Approaching Otaki town

And finally approaching my destination in Waikanae

Waikanae Beach n river mouth camp

My usual setting after pitching my tent

State of art automatic door lock and musical toilet

Sunset view around campsite

Information Board

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Day16 Thu 01/12 - Rest Day in Feilding WWOOfing Home

Today Distance : 0 km Total: 603.5 km

Today weather : 14 - 19c Sunny

Time on Bike : 0 hr 0 min

Ave speed : 0 kmh Max :0 kmh

Ave Climb : 0% Max :0%

Trip Altitude : 0 m Max : 0 m

Today spend : 0 nzd Total : 173.5 nzd

Today i took the opportunity to clean,inspect and lube the bike,this is the first time since started riding out from Auckland and after having clocked up 600 km over some of the toughest terrains in North Island especially proud having survived the Desert Road. While cleaning, the cyclometer cable wire snapped again and luckily Trevor was there to help out with a longer cable by soldering iron. In the afternoon,I am helping Trevor to clear up his backyard and spent about an hour to lawn the grass.Trevor is a registered woofing member, and today came another 2 young German ladies where they will stay here for 10 days to help out in the garden,farm,and feed the chicken,ducks and goats. I will be leaving the hospitality of Trevor n Ellen tomorrow morning continuing my journey down south.

Cleaning,Inspection and Lubrication

Trevor helping to solder the snapped cyclometer cable

Professional job well done

Extended cable wires

Day15 Wed 30/11 - Rangatikei River Camp to Feilding WWOOfing Home

Today Distance : 48.0 km Total: 603.5 km

Today weather : 14 - 19c Raining whole day

Time on Bike : 3 hr 32 min

Ave speed : 13.6 kmh Max :65.2 kmh

Ave Climb : 5% Max :11%

Trip Altitude : 462 m Max : 297 m

Today spend : 6.1 nzd Total : 173.5 nzd

Today was a lucky day as I met Trevor and wife Ellen at the Information Center in Feilding when I just arrived at 11.30am soaking wet from the rain. Trevor was there admiring my bike and asked where I am from and where I am heading, My intention today was to find a backpacker hostel in town,so that I can enjoy a comfortable bed with hot shower,do some laundry and have my gadgets recharge. " Do you know of any backpacker budget hostel in town?" I asked Trevor. The answer is neither "yes" or "no" but he was quick to say " If you don't mind,you can stay in my house". "Of course I am happy to,thank you so much" Trevor then went inside the information Center and wrote down his address less than a kilometer away,his wife Ellen appeared to pick him up and told me to come after 12.30pm while I enjoy my packed bread and butter under the corridor roof of NZ Bank. When I rode to Trevor's house,the rain started again, and immediately i warmed myself with a cup of hot coffee and later a hot shower to finally feel so much better. Later Trevor's daughter and husband and a few friends were here together for the dinner. The bed was so warm and soft tonight...