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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. |
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Day 6 - Nydia Track
Today was the second half of the Nydia. We awoke to fairly heavy rain so the track was quite wet and slippery. The climb to Kaiuma Saddle followed some of the 1910 timber railway line route before dropping down the other side.
From the end of the track we had a short gravel road ride to our rendevous spot with the Foxy Lady. Once we were loaded up we made our way back to Te Mahia. |
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The second part of this trail is also a rock and root riddled
track and it passes over Kaiuma Saddle (387m). Over all it's
very technical - and rewarding. |
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The morning rain is just easing off and the fog is starting to burn
off. Until the rain stopped there had been some thoughts, amoung a few of
us anyway, about taking the day off. But once the rain quit it turned out
to be quite a nice day and we were off again. |
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At long last the 5 return from their luxury night at the
Driftwood. While we foraged through our left over food, they had a nice
cooked breakfast served to them. |
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We spent a few minutes lubing chains, making final adjustments, and
putting on bug dope before heading out. The mossies were having a wee
snack.
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You can just see Nydia Bay in the distance and the trail cutting it's
way across the trees in the foreground. The climb up wasn't overly
difficult but it was steep and seemed to go on forever. We sang Happy
Birthday to Di as she made her way up this slope. |
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By this point we had left the timber trail behind and were navigating
washed out sections of trail. |
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Lunch on top of Kaiuma Saddle looked pretty much the same as Nydia
Saddle. |
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Rex chowing down. |
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The downhill was fast, fun and
relatively easy after all the technical sections. |
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Kaiuma Bay |
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This is the last creek to cross and
the end of the track. From here it was a short ride on a gravel road to
Shag Point where we met the boat. |
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There was no place for the boat to dock so we
took turns loading us and bikes into the dingy and making our way out to
the Foxy Lady. I must admit it was a little spooky perched in the dingy
holding onto bikes. We all made it though. |
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On the way back we cruised through a mussel farm. They didn't seem keen
on any freebees. |
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Arriving back at Te Mahia |
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Dinner on the front veranda |
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Still lots of wine left from our wine tour. |
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Di's birthday! |
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Making a wish..... |
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...and blowing em out. |
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Another
beautiful day, fabulous meal, and great
place to be. |
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Bunny hop to....Day
7..... |
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