|
This is a journal of the South Island Junket 2002: one week of the most awesome mountain riding in the most awesome setting anywhere!
I've broken up the Junket into one page per day due to the large
number of pictures that were taken. I know that's a lot, but it seemed a shame
not to show the whole trip, especially after the time Barney and I put
into taking the pictures. (And everyone likes to see photos of themselves,
right?) Enjoy the memories. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Day 5 - Nydia Track
On Day 5 we packed up a small over
night bag and set off by boat, the
Foxy
Lady, for a journey out through
Kenepuru Sound and into Tennyson Inlet to Duncan Bay. We rode the first
half of the Nydia Track, which involved the most technical ride so far, over the
Nydia Saddle to Nydia Bay. We over-nighted there, and finished the trail
the following day. |
|
| |
|
 |
|
As we had a very long boat trip to the start of the track
we didn't get started till quite late. We only rode this first section and
the boat picked us up again at Nydia Bay where we overnighted. |
|
|
 |
|
The book describes this track as a rock and root-riddled
track that would lead us over Nydia Saddle (370 m). Over all, it's
very technical - and rewarding. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Cruising through the Sounds was an exceptionally special experience.
Roy and I promised we'd come back here and cruise some time. |
|
|
|
 |
|
The marine life goes into a feeding frenzy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
We had a few hours
of leisure on the Foxy Lady as we travelled to our start point. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
We always get the pictures of the easy sections. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Argh... |
|
|
 |
|
I'm right |
|
|
The trail was quite rooty and rocky
in many sections. There were many areas where only the brave at heart
challenged the trail. Those people who could visualize riding across the narrow and
rocky gaps did that, but there were always serious consequences if you
blew it. Those who could only visualize the nasty rock that was sure to throw
them over the edge, chose to walk. There was at least one person who went
over the edge but came out okay. (Gyro) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
We had a lunch stop at the top of Nydia Saddle. We
signed the guestbook. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
You can see the height we gained from leaving the shore line. |
|
|
 |
|
There's a few places where the trail is washed out and we passed the
bikes across the gap. |
|
|
 |
|
The downhill was way too much fun! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And they're off....... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We all made it back to the boat safe
and in one piece. John and Trish put on a great feed of mussels to start followed by a
BBQ of steaks, burgers, sausages and all the fixin's. Eight of us slept on the
boat that night and five were sent off to the Driftwood Lodge, as there wasn't
enough room on the boat. We heard about stories of fresh eggs and
picking herbs for breakfast. |
|
|
|
We slept to the sounds of rain
throughout the night on board the
Foxy
Lady with our Captain, John and 1st Mate, Trish. |
|
|
|
Bunny hop to....Day
6..... |
|
|
