2014 Mountain Bike NZ
First, before hitting the trials in NZ, we had to learn how to mountain bike in NSW… We did our first ride last Saturday, a relatively simple fire-trail in Terrey Hills, to gauge our current fitness and skill levels. It was 14km and took us an hour and a half. Yesterday we did a full day clinic, with Northern Beaches based company, Life’s An Adventure.
We started at 9am with basic bike repairs, tool kits, etc. They showed us how to change a tyre, break and repair a chain, and other very useful things. They gave us some great recommendations on what take with us on every ride.
The girls demonstrate how to Jump Logs (YouTube Video of Di and Marina showing us how it’s done!)
From here we moved to a nearby oval, where we practiced simple bike handling skills – like stopping (without skidding!), ratcheting (for tight corners and tricky bits), and getting up and down obstacles (without getting off your bike!). While all the theory was held in dense shade, we practiced on an open field, and were relieved to settle down for a BBQ lunch.
Our Running Man! (YouTube video of Chris making it up a very steep section!)
Slightly over-full (more than one of us was carrying a food-baby), we were then expected to leap up and embark on a 22km ride, covering some of the tracks we did last week. We were given opportunities to practice our skills on rock ledges, slippery steep slopes, and undulating hills. One by one, our group got smaller, as the heat, dehydration, lack of fitness, or bike failure took each participant out (we collected them on the way back)! It was extremely tough going in the last kilometre to the half-way mark, and one of our team gave it all he had, and combusted a few hundred metres from the resting point. Unfortunately he had to ride back feeling like this, and while gastrolyte and a muesli bar went some way to rectifying him, he was too exhausted to ride much in the 11km home.
To our last men standing- Di, Marina, Chris, and myself – well done us! And well done everyone else for giving it their best shot (Jen in particular who only got off a plane from the UK on Friday night, couldn’t sleep and was surfing the internet at 2am, and still rocked up on time and ready to go, and Martin who literally found the end of the tank, oh, and Chris #2 of course, who whipped us all on the way home!).
We are all riding better, and learned some new skills. Next week we test them on Manly Dam!
Alps to Ocean Mountain Bike Adventure Begins!
March 30th
This day was set aside for pure mountain biking, but we were disappointed. We had to ask several people before we found one that knew of a track that mountain bikes were allowed on. On our way back to the hostel we found the A2Otrails, and were a bit bummed that no-one thought to mention them!
On a more positive note, we were spoilt for choice for glacier’s to see! We settled on one that was close to a mountain bike trail and set off. It was an easy 9km to the trial start, where Clare and Evie broke off to climb to the top on foot. The others embarked on a tough, slippery, and rocky 4km uphill. It got so steep that the bikes were soon discarded and Marina, Anna, Chris, and Di had to scramble up on their hands and feet. They peeked over the rim of a ledge and were rewarded with views of the steep cliffs and icebergs of the Tasman Glacier. They were so close that they could hear the creaks and groans of the ice.
A slippery return home made a nice little 26km warm up ride. Everyone was too stuffed to back up with another ride, so we had a beer and serviced our bikes instead.
31st March
Today we said goodbye (and good riddance) to the Mt Cook Backpackers, and their super-thin mattresses, and drove to the other side of Lake Pukaki to where the A2O officially begins.
On the way we stopped at a Fresh Salmon Outlet and picked up out dinner (Jonesy was disappointed he didn’t get to catch it with his own hands!). We drove as far up the A2O trail as possible, then rode even further north, almost back up to the Glacier, while Clare and Evie drove the car back to our accommodation.
The ride as pleasant and undulating, with spectacular scenery – turquoise water, snow capped mountains, and fields dotted with cows and deer. We turned off the A2O trail, to embark on the final 5km of our journey to a Farm Homestead, which was our accommodation for the night.
That 5km was entirely uphill…. not just any kind of hill; a steep, relentless, soul destroying, and torturous Goliath of a hill. In a nutshell, it was character-building!
Jonesy was the first to drop off, and one by one we all followed. By the top, only Marina and Chris were still claiming to be fine! In the end it was a 4hr ride, and 37.4km – not bad considering the incline at the end!
A big thank you to Anna and Chris, who got straight into making dinner as soon as we got to our accommodation! Everyone assisted, but they were the instigators, and the last to get in the shower. And Anna shared her chocolate :-)
Everyone has settled around an open fire for the night. We have been blessed with an open check out time, which I think everyone will need.
April 1st
Today was one of the longest days, but it was hard to set out early – we had to say goodbye to our little 50’s home, with all the dogs and cows and chickens running around! Never the less we were on the road by 10am. The hill we had to ride up yesterday, we now made our way precariously down. The gravel was patchy and the thick patches caused a few slides. However everyone made it down in one piece.
From there it was a gentle, flat ride along Lake Pukaki. It was particularly serene in the last half of the morning session, where we left the road and took a bike trail along the water’s edge. For a late lunch we were met by Clare at the Salmon store, arriving with bread and honey (just in case food).
Clare had a longer ride than necessary getting to the Salmon store, as she first couldn’t fins the A2O trail from Twizel, and then took it in the wrong direction… Luckily Evie was patient for the first hour or so…
After lunch the trail was grassy, and mostly downhill. The views changed to vast plains of long, dry grass, characteristic of the Pukaki region.
Our hotel is only a block from the track today, which was a refreshing end to a long day (and certainly a lot better than yesterday!).
Today was 48km, mostly flat, and took us 5hrs (even with stops).
Everyone was relieved to be in their rooms and in bed around 4, everyone except Marina that is, who promptly mounted her bike and set off to check out the rowing centre!
The owners here have two little kids so Evie has been able to run a muck and burn some much pent-up energy! A day off for half the team tomorrow, and a Helibiking trip for the other half!
We Go Heli-Riding! April 2nd
Our “rest” day… For Chris, Marina, and Di, today was their 5th day riding in a row. Clare has ridden everyday but only half the distances. Everyone else took a well deserved break and relaxed in Twizel’s hot springs.
The rest of us went Heli riding!
The day started moderately late, at 10am, with a quick bike ride to the helipad. We took off not long after arriving, and headed to a nearby peak. It was too windy to land on the top, so we landed a little down the hill and scrambled up to the top on our hands and feet.
It was well worth it. The views were spectacular, 360 degree vista’s, all the way up the valley back to Mt Cook. We took our first “silly panny” of the trip, then scrambled back down again to begin our ride.
The ride wasn’t far, and would have taken our experienced riders a couple of hours. The rest of us were quaking in our clip-ins with the rocky trails and sheep drops. We took our time, drinking from fresh streams, pausing for photos, and waiting for the group to re-group.
The ride finished with some gently undulating returns down soft grassed tractor trails. We visited a hunting hut (which was being used when we poked our head in!), the settled by the lake for a late lunch.
It was a very satisfying and exhilarating experience. Back on the trial again tomorrow! Only 5 more days to go!
We are still plugging away cycling from New Zealand’s Alps to her East Coast…
We are Still Plugging Away April 3rd
Our ride today was relatively easy. The first half was a slight incline, but on sealed roads alongside what appears to be a common New Zealand Salmon Farm. We stopped for lunch on the Ohau Lake, before embarking on an off-road section of the A2O trail.
This part of the ride was breathtakingly beautiful. It was lined with pines, which gave off a beautiful scent. There was also the crunch of the pine leaves under the tyres, and the view of these spectacular mountains mirrored perfectly on the perfectly still lake.
We made such good time, Clare did not have time to ride back and meet us, luckily there is only one place to lodge in this town…!
Immediately after arriving, Chris and Marina hopped in the bus, and were driven by Anna and Clare to the top of the old snow field’s road. The plan was to ride down again. The drive up was nerve wracking, even on the “new” road. It was perilously narrow, with sheer, treeless drops off the side.
Unfortunately the Old Snow Field’s road was not much more fun for Marina and Chris. They bush-bashed much of it, with only a few precious free riding moments in hundreds of metres of trail. Chris’s remark was “the only thing worse would have been if we had ridden to the top!”
The day was recovered by a glass of wine and a dip in the hot tubs. They were too hot to sit in for long, but the view of the lake was well worth it. They provided pumice stones for our sore and trashed feet, which were revitalized with a quick scrub.
Tomorrow is a short 23km jaunt to nearby Omarama, however 12km of it is uphill…. wish us luck!
April 4th
With Di in serious need of a rest, she took over logistics and support for the day, and what an amazing job she did!
I took the opportunity to hop on my bike, Evie in tow, and a 900m climb ahead of me. Oh, and I got the kilometres wrong, it was actually 43km… whoops.
Today was really really really good fun. Despite the long climb, we were on fantastic single trail with spectacular views over the valley. Chris AKA Bike Fairy and Marina took an opportunity to ride back again, down hill (making up for yesterday), and caught us up again within minutes even though they’d done an extra 5km. Marina has thus earned the nickname (in my head) of “Super Freaky” because she is just so dang good.
After the climb there was a thoroughly enjoyable downhill section, which was made extra fun with Evie hollering and whooping in the Chariot. We then meandered over a grassy plan to a historic site – a 100yr old wool shed for lunch.
Di was waiting for us armed with a camera, and lunch, and settled down with us by the stream. We did the next 20km in an hour, because it was mostly smooth gravel and sealed road, and are now in a caravan park on a river, watching a storm brew (hopefully it will pass in time for us to ride again tomorrow!
Today is Anna and Marina’s last day with us in New Zealand. They get the bus back to Christchurch in the morning, and we do the next 4 days without them. Anna, at 28wks pregnant, has been a machine. Marina has said “yes” to everything, which makes her a fantastic traveling buddy!
We are now going to Omarama Hot Tubs, for a private, log-heated tub right on the lake… tough life!
Some Very Pretty mountain bike trails and a Horror Night! April 5th
A short jaunt today (finally!), and one of the most picturesque. The bike trail from Omarama to Otematata was lined with weeping willows and deciduous trees… pity it was pouring. Despite the weather, not one rider piked! I was very impressed. There was a nasty hill in the final 5km to town, which Jen won (King of the hill!), then all smooth gliding to our accommodation.
Speaking of which, it is really really really basic. More basic than our cabins last night. It is like an old school excursion lodge-house. The carpets are at least 30yrs old, and they are worn through to rotten floorboards in many areas.
The shower mats have been in place so long that they are cemented in with hair and dirt and decomposing bugs. The showers are hot and firm, which is nice until you look up, and then you notice the roof paneling that is hanging from it’s last nail and is going to fall and pierce someone’s head at any moment. Everyone is quite funny about it though, they have all laughed and taken it in their stride. I think the Alp2Ocean organisers need to rethink their accommodation associations though….! If we survive the night I will write again tomorrow.
April 6th
Thankfully, our accommodation did not get any worse… no rats, no cockroaches, no ghosts. We all slept remarkably well, with the night only punctuated by Evie falling out of bed. Never the less, we were all pretty keen to get out of there, and headed to a nearby park to warm up on their dirt bike jumps. I got some great photos of Chris in the air… before he crashed!
We found a great coffee shop in the middle of nowhere selling massive baked goods (like cookies and scones), and stocked up for the day. Within the first kilometre on the bike, we had a 1km steep hill up our first dam wall!
Our itinerary today had only a few hills, but it was long. We intended on doing the full 44km leg, plus 15km into tomorrow’s leg because that is where our Farm Stay is. We crossed 3 dam walls, all spectacular. Somewhere around the 20km mark Marty lost his mojo, but struggled on until there was only 5km to go. The others finished everything, exhausted but elated. They are getting the hang of drafting, which helps! It was an impressive effort just getting to the end today! I was quietly pleased at everyone’s tenacity.
Whilst they were riding, I had a chance to sit down with Kaye, the owner of the farm that we are at. She looked over our itinerary, and pointed out that our accommodation tomorrow night was 30km out of our way, plus we’d have to traverse two 4WD trails. She was very helpful in rearranging our plans, and it means we will have a full day off on Tuesday.
It also means another full 60km on the bike tomorrow.
Today took the team 5hrs including breaks, so whilst we know it is possible, it will be tough mentally. The good thing about these trips is that we get to find out what we are made of, even if it hurts along the way. The feeling of accomplishment at the end is unbeatable, so I hope that everyone hangs in there!
Tonight we are being put up by a family, about 5km from the highway. We have petted horses, and seen sheep and cows, Evie is stoked.
One more day of riding!
Grueling Final Day April 7th
What. A. Day.
We awoke to drizzling rain, which did not let up as we made our preparations to ride. It did not make for a very fun start!
Chris was out early working on everyone’s bikes. A huge thank you to him for leading the group, riding 9 days straight, and taking such good care of everyone and their bike. We could not have made it without him! Or made it as easily anyway!
We knew our ride today would be long, but we did not know exactly how long. We met at 20km intervals for rest and food, which meant we stopped every hour, and broke the journey into manageable lumps. The scenery was spectacular, as always, but much different to the days before. The grass was so green it was almost fluro. The oddest thing I saw was a sprinkler system working as the rain poured down.
Mercifully, the rain abated as the day went on. Not so mercifully, a cold headwind picked up.
We finally rode into Oamara after 70 nether-region-destroying kilometres (keep in mind this crew were riding duel suspension mountain bikes, not road bikes!). The super tough crew elected to ride all the way to the ocean, adding a couple of km’s to the journey, rather than taking a short cut straight to the hotel.
Special mention has to go to each and every person that completed this course;
Martin, who led from start to finish, is carrying more weight than the rest of us, and turned out to be an absolute powerhouse on a bike. He also did not do much training, so suffered more than those who had, but still finished over 350km over 9 days. It is pretty a incredible achievement, and I hope he keeps riding!
Chris Jones, likewise, did not do as much training as I wanted him to. The entire trip he potted away at his own pace, refusing to acknowledge when he was tired and/or sore. It is an equally fantastic achievement that he made it to the end, because it would have been harder for those not “match fit”, and therefore a greater accomplishment.
Both of the boys also helped Chris wash and pack up everyone’s bikes this afternoon, still in their sweaty riding gear, and in a really cold wind. Thanks so much for that!
Diana was injured falling off her bike only weeks before the trip, and to the day we left her back and ribs were still acutely painful. Quitting was never on the table, despite her struggles, and even on this final, grueling day, she was smiling, positive, and certain she would finish.
Jen’s fitness shone through on the last couple of days, with her frequent rides out to West Head. She was chirpy, fun loving, and consistent throughout the whole trip. The others felt good riding behind her because she was so mechanical and rhythmical in her pedal stroke, and consequently she pulled many of the team up the hills, even when she was exhausted herself.
Both of the girls’s attitude today was one of positivity and certainty (at least when I saw them!), and the day would have been unbearable if it wasn’t for that!
I am very proud of each and every one of these people, and assisting them was an honor, one I would do any day for such tenacious, strong, and persistent characters!
Our final number was 72.2km today… just amazing.