Motueka Valley to Kohutu

Date: 
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Miles: 
26
Bike: 
Disc Trucker

Through Facebook Messenger I had been communicating with Jelle and I decided I would meet up with him in St. Arnaud to ride the Rainbow Trail. I had two days of riding to get there.

I left Harmony's place as early as I could get going and back tracked up the West side road on the Motueka River to Woodstock Junction and then got on the main road. I followed the river upstream most of the day. Traffic was not bad on this road, and the climbing was gradual for the most part, with just one really steep hill I had to stop and rest on a couple of times.

I enjoyed the town of Tapawera. They had shaded picnic tables next to a store and cafe. So I sat and ate and rested a while before heading on. There was also a little "Vege" stand as they call them where I got some kale for dinner and some plums. Less than 10 miles later was the junction with highway 6 where I stopped at the Flat Rock Cafe and ate and rested some more. The riding hasn't been that hard, but I have been tired. I stopped at the first campground I saw after that which was a good choice.

Quinney's Bush was a holiday park right out of 1950's America. It had lot's of room for camping and all kinds of family activities including a great swimming hole with a slide, a go-cart track, miniature golf, a big play ground and more. I had a large field all to myself for camping as the holiday season was now over.

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Motueka River
Most of the day was following the Motueka River upstream.

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Redwood tree
There were Redwood trees.

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Eucalyptus tree
and Eucalyptus. Much of the terrain felt like California. I even saw some orange trees.

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Quinney's Bush Camp
I camped here for the night. This place seemed right out of the 50's. It even had a nice swimming hole.