Distance: 101.22 km
Ride time: 5:10:46
Average: 20.24 km/h
Total: 20479 km
Sleeping at the football field had worked great – no surprise visits encountered during the night and even a toilet building next door. All that for 0$.
I had my morning coffee at the harbour next to the big cruise ships before I started to cycle towards Auckland. On the way I knew I had some hills to climb. The road followed the Ohinemuri River up towards the Karangahake Gorge. It was beautiful cycling as I’m now used to in this country.
In Paeroa I stopped for another 50 cent ice cream cone in a McDonald’s and used the internet. I had been in contact with the the Mete family in Auckland who kindly has opened their home for me for a few days before I fly back to Australia. I’m looking forward to meet them.
For this night, however, I was still in my tent. People had told me it would be very difficult to find free camp spots in New Zealand. True, this is not the Australian outback with unlimited space, but I have always been able to find a spot for the night without much trouble. Today not far from the road but still hidden behind a small hill.
