NZ MTB 2018 Lake Ohau, Alexandra, Naseby and Christchurch

Another year rolls around and although we are all older we look forward to each new year as it means it's time for the Wee Tiki Tour.


Blue skies and perfect temperatures greeted most of us in Christchurch, Jane and Richard were unlucky enough to be to get caught in a major traffic jam on the way to the airport, the result being a late night arrival into Christchurch.

Always something interesting a Christchurch Airport, this time it was a lantern festival, Jane tells me these lanterns look fabulous in the evening 

Bike assembly and dinner at Alice and Phil's. Bikes packed onto cars the next morning  for the drive south

Day 1 we start out on the shores of the very picturesque Lake Pukaki where we meet Andrew Burling

Some of the group ride along the Alps 2 Ocean Trail while Kees, Julian and Kees take the cars ahead

Jane very helpfully points out Mt Cook

Not far from Twizel we meet with the car drivers who have ridden out towards us after what we suspect was a considerably extended morning coffee stop. In Twizel drivers/bikers swap and head towards Lake Ohau Lodge 

At Pukaki Canal the group splits with the majority heading along the canal and then around the lake shore to the Lodge

The afternoon breeze has picked up and ruffles the Lake surface

Phil and Kees looking for Flanagan's Pass

At Pukaki Canal Andrew Burling pointed Andrew, Julian and I in the direction of Flanagan's Pass and very sensibly headed home for a cup of tea and a good old laugh

The pass looks easy enough from here...

Some cold water creek crossings

The uphill was worthy of an adventure race leg with an hour of hike-a-bike

Happy to have arrived at the top

We were rewarded with a fast and scenic downhill

The sun getting low in the sky and the pressure is on to arrive in time for dinner at the Lodge so we put Julian in the lead and he dragged Andrew and I around the Lake in record time. Despite giving it everything we did arrive 30mins late for dinner, kodus to the staff at Lake Ohau Lodge who served up a lovely meal of salmon despite our late arrival

Ready to head out on day 2 which takes us from Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama. Once again Phil, Kees and Julian drive the cars to the finish point

Morning tea at a historic and picturesque shearing shed

We meet Phil, Kees and Julian heading towards us and encourage Julian to do the 'few' extra km back to the shearing shed, apparently we had rolled down a fair way by the time we met them as it took Julian quite a while to catch us up again, opps

Time for afternoon tea then we load the cars up for the drive to Alexandra

Day 3  

The Asure Avenue Motel is base for the next three night and as attested to by the frequent references to bikes in the decor it is very welcoming to bike riders of all varieties

   

Heading out early we rode over the mighty Clutha River and hung a left along the river bank for a flat and easy ride to the township of Clyde along the Alexandra Anniversary Track

Artifacts from the AGE OF THE MOLE PEOPLE (you had to be there)

The majority of the group continued along the river to the Clyde Dam Wall

While the rest of the group continued on to the dam wall Phil, Julian, Andrew and I took ourselves up to the ominously named Linger and Die

 

Phil and Andrew especially loved this steep, rocky, technical track, Julian and I were a little more cautious but still enjoyed the adventure

We regrouped in Clyde for morning tea

A quick visit to the local bike shop resulted in Julie getting a bike upgrade courtesy of Julian 

 A quick trip back to Alexandra via the rail trail saw us heading across the Shaky Bridge to its namesake café for a delicious bagel lunch. Not sure what Julie was thinking here - the only thing crazier than venturing onto a suspension bridge at the same time as Andrew is if Phil and Julian are also on that bridge

 The afternoon saw us head over the Clutha and turn left to explore the Roxburgh Gorge Trail 

The ladies in perfect sync

Day 4 we rode out via the road to Butchers Dam to explore the tracks at Flat Top Hill

Purple Haze took us to the top via switch-backed single trail

Once at the top we followed Flat Top across the ridge and back to Butchers Dam

Views down Roxbough Gorge to Alexandra

Andrew and I took a quick detour to check out the 'Rock of Doom'

After making it back to the dam we headed back up Purple Haze

Back at the top

From the top we headed across to Sphinx Rock and from here we picked up the Sphinx Rock track, a beautifully bermed and switch-backed single track which took us on a rollicking ride back down to the Roxbough Gorge Trail

Day 5 takes us 89km along the Otago Rail Trail, drivers once more take the vehicles through to Nasbey with a few swaps of drivers and bikers along the way

We had a stiff headwind to start the day and John took the front and employed his road biking credentials to drag us along

 

Stopping for a feast of freshly picked apples

Hayes Engineering was the perfect lunch spot

Sequoia Trees in downtown Naseby

We took dinner at the quirky Ancient Briton Hotel

Day 6 was spent exploring the abundant single trails surrounding Naseby, we were ably led around by locals Neil and Jill who without knowing us generously shared their knowledge and time to ensure that we saw the best the Naseby had to offer

Accommodation in Naseby, the aptly name Carefree Cottage

'Naseby 2000ft above worry level!' Sound about right.

Evening activity was the surprisingly engaging sport of Curling

Compulsory instructional video

Time to return to our regularly schedualed evening activity - reviewing photos and 

Time to return to our regularly scheduled evening activity - reviewing photos and GoPro footage of the day.

Day 7 was spent driving back to Christchurch and a chance to rest up before tacking the Wharfedale Track on Day 8. This track follows a stock route from 1879 and has plenty for slippery roots and rock to keep you on your toes

The Wee Tiki Tourers at the saddle

Andrew and I continued on to Wharfedale Hut and then went back out the way we came and caught the group just as they arrived back at the cars

Day 9 we spent the morning at the recently reopened Christchurch Downhill Adventure Park

In the background you can see much of the extensive trail network, looks and feels bleak and exposed after the fires that raged through the Port Hills

The trails are beautifully made, the lack of trees means the whole trail is laid out in front of leaving little to the imagination

The headquarters and cafe are in a beautiful setting with the fires not making it down to this area

That brings to an end another magical mountain biking tour of the magnificent South Island of New Zealand. Julie you are a consummate tour organiser and we are privilaged to be a part of these adventures, thank you to everyone on the tour and most especially the kiwis for there generosity in sharing your homes and vehicles with us Aussies we really do appreciate everything you do.