Christchurch - Waipara Junction
So much for an early start! We got up early and I fitted the cycle computer and lights to Maria's bike, all was well. The I started loading the gear. The panniers were fine and I had some space to spare but the trailer was the problem. What I thought was a few bits and bobs filled the trailer dry bag and had 2 further bags strapped to the top. But more importantly the weight was ridiculous!
After a little reorganising so it wasn't quite as top heavy we set off and the weather warmed up to a lovely sunny spring day. It was quite a tricky navigational day with 30 points on the direction list which lead to the inevitable detours and turned the 65km day into an 80km day. We averaged about 20kph on mainly flat roads with some wind. The trailer didn't even feel too bad when up to speed until you hit any kind of incline that is.
We arrived at the campsite 'Sleepers' at 3pm, put the tent up and started dividing the gear in half, half to stay and half to send back to the hostel in Christchurch. Ok well maybe not half but we have certainly shed several kgs from both the trailers and the bags and I am sure more will follow! The first of the climbs starts tomorrow.
Sleepers is an interesting place with some of the accommodation in old railway cars, it has a tv room and a kitchen along with wifi and hot showers. It may not be the Hilton but it sure makes camping in the cold a lot more fun and we pitched our tent for $15 with the use of all facilities.
Tonight will be our fist night in a tent for awhile and the first night ever in our new light weight 2 man tent. We are used to a nice roomy 4 man+ but then again we are used to a van to drag our kit around, I guesss thats why we started with so much!
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