The Central Otago Rail Trail

 So today was almost all on the Central Otago Rail Trail. It was a long day... 60 odd kms, so we rolled down the hill and into town for a substantial breakfast to set us rolling. We enjoyed the excellent trail, and the information stations, passport stamping opportunities... everything set up for cyclists!





Not long out of Alexandra I found my tyre needed pumping up. It got a few more shots of air and made it to Omakau. We checked both bikes into HebikesShebikes for some much needed TLC, while we adjourned to the Tea shop. The weather continued to look threatening, the wind was rising, but so far the dreaded rain was holding off. With another 30 km to go, we were grateful to set off into the strengthening wind on our finely tuned bikes.

The next section of the the ride includes great photo opportunities at several picturesque viaducts and tunnels... probably the single most scenic stretch of the whole trail and we are starting to feel the pressure to make progress before the weather worsens.


Two native falcons... how lucky are we!!!



Despite these smiling faces, the next 10 kms were tough... the wind increasingly against us, the cloud bringing premature darkness and finally torrential rain. No more photo stops. Drink and snack stops were hurried as we added rain layers. Once again those last 5kms took forever. With no booking for tonight, we hoped we would not have to pitch our tents in this impossible wind and rain.



 At Oturehua we gladly accepted a very basic cabin...outdoor toilet and handbasin... no worries that they had not had time to vacuum it!! (Photo from the next day as it was dark by the time we arrived)
Showered clean and tidy we set off for a well earned Pub meal!!


And what an excellent meal it was!! It was a cheerful festive affair as we shared the restaurant with a 3 generation cycling family celebrating a birthday!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wet Wet Wet... Clutha Gold to Roxburgh Town

Image
  The day dawned fine, but rain arrived well before we got to Roxborough. Previous days of rain had filled the river past its banks and set up as swirling mass of muddy water through the willows and threatened our path.  The campground was on one side of the river, the town on the other so it was two soggy cyclists who made a hasty trip to the supermarket before retiring to a cosy cabin, intending to stay out of the rain. Once warm and dry however, we retraced our path to town to do some sightseeing. A short walk takes you to the King George Park War Memorial and views over town and Teviot valley. Roxburgh Gold era memorialised on the downtown loos. 
Read more

The Roxburgh Dam, Shingle Creek, Doctors Point and Alexandra

Image
 Today we felt under pressure for most of the day. That's what happens when you have to pre-book things.  So the first booking was our jet boat from Shingle creek to Doctors point. We had stayed in Roxburgh Town, 10km from the dam and another 12 km to the boat pick up. Trail signs added an extra frisson of anxiety as they listed the total distance to Alexandra. Certainly wouldn't make that by midday!! It was a shame to rush this section of the track as it is new and specially made for cyclists. Roxburgh town to the dam continued alongside the still overflowing river. Our weather was drier than yesterday, Thank fully. In fact perfect cycling weather. The fabulous new cycle track. Scenic Boat trip. Our driver pointed out several old miners cottages, caves and shelters. Track under water. By now the sun was shining so aquaplaning through flooded track was a game!! A short visit to town and then big adventure into the unknown, I had booked us in with warm showers hosts high on the...
Read more