Today’s ride on Komoot (to Hurunui)
Today’s ride on Komoot (to Culverden)
Last night was noisy as the campsite was close to the road. However, my mat didn’t deflate, so the last repair has worked well. There’ll be more required I suspect, as this issue looks like a manufacturing error, albeit 4 years after buying it.
Today’s route didn’t have many shops along the way (just the one in Hawarden nearing the end). I did some food shopping across the road from the campsite then found a nice cafe and decided on an early second breakfast. Consequently, it wasn’t early when I left – but I had everything I needed for the day through the Pyramid Valley and camping at Hurunui.
It was a pleasant ride out of town and into the farmlands. Nearing 20kms, a gravel road started but the next 6kms were in the process of being graded. There wouldn’t be any corrugations, and I thought I was lucky. What happened was that the grader sliced up a level of dirt and that got mixed with the gravel and rain. It looked like wet concrete and felt like it as I rode along.
It was soft and smooth drudgery up some significant climbs and the end of it didn’t come soon enough. The gravel continued but not the grader, and the road was now great.
The countryside looked decidedly english and I had to remind myself that I wasn’t in the UK already. I often wonder what this place looked like before white settlement. I’m told that the west coast would give a good clue to this.
This was nice riding and I arrived in Hawarden at the only shop on the way and stopped for some snacks. It wasn’t far to Hurunui but it was a shame that the pub there wasn’t open today. They had a camping ground and Anthony (met him in Christchurch) had mentioned a pub with great food along the way. I’m sure this was it.
Well, the camping ground was a bit drab, and the drizzle started, so I stood under cover and worked out my options. It was only then, that I realised Dave Roe had come by here and raved about the campsite on the other side of town.
Off I went, to find a great campsite. It was quite large and I rode around to find a good spot as the drizzle turned to rain. In good weather, this place would be perfect. The rain had closed in, and it was here for the night. So, I checked google, and just 13kms up the main road, was Culverden with some warm, dry accommodation options.
That was too tempting for me, so off I went again in the fading light. The traffic was very light and when I got a signal, I booked a room at the local pub in Culverden.
As i neared Culverden, it was as if someone had tipped a bucket of water on me. The rain became really heavy and stopped as I arrived.
The pub was clean without being luxurious, but it was dry and allowed me to dry everything out, so it was perfect. I had dinner there and bumped into Eric and Carrie again. They had followed the whole trail and not cheated by taking the main road, as I’d done.
This was a good move, as it left me 36kms to Hanmer Springs and that’s achievable regardless of the weather.