27th Feb Timaru

27 Feb
Today I rode from  Oamaru to Timaru - a distance of about 80km.  I thought it should not be too much of a. challenge.  This is the Canterbury Plains after all - flat and straight roads.   The weather was fine and the temperature was cool.  What I hadn't counted on was the steady sea breeze that  was almost head on.  It made riding a significant challenge. Without the breeze I could have averaged 17km/hr but the breeze reduced it to 12.  To complete the challenge was the series of hills and valleys that lead in to the city of Timaru.  It was a relief to see the signpost for the camping ground. The manager is a cyclist and we talked much about riding and routes north.  He suggested staying off the main roads away from the big trucks. His suggestion has merit although today the big trucks provided some slight relief from the incessant head wind.