Hi guys,

Adventure is about expanding your comfort zone (great programme on TV3 about kayaking the ditch last night!), transforming your inner world. Well I knew mountain biking would be a challenge for me, but hey my sister was here and I see her so rarely, a mission was on the cards for sure, and it was a more likely option for me than skydiving in the Abel Tasman (though Annie rated that very highly too).

So we booked in with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company to bike the Punga to Portage stretch of the famous and wonderful Queen Charlotte Track (way easier to navigate and book than the Abel Tasman options!!). Fitted out with bikes to match our heights, Annie 19″ me 17″, & bikes stashed aloft  we took the Cougarline boat, sitting outside to catch the spray and stunning views of  Picton as we departed.

It’s quite a ride out to Punga, so inspite of an early boat we arrived midmorning, and  just had to have a caffeine fix at the cafe just past the wharf… very peaceful, chilling there listening to the birdsong..
Pre bike toilet stop, it’s straight up just up the path and to the right, a fair way up.

Then no more delays it was time to get on the bike…follow the track just past cafe through bush.

Annie had done mountain biking before so she gave me a few valuable pointers, which I shall relay here as they saved my bacon on more than one occasion… track can be freaky at times on the downhills when you haven’t done it before – be warned! It is a level 4 track.

If it’s  muddy keep pedalling..don’t stop or brake, your wheels will slide out from under you.

If traversing stony track at speed downhill, keep your pedals a similar level and your bum high and back not on the saddle. If one of your pedals catches a rock you may come a drift, and the repeated bumps make your bum sore!!

Don’t let this put you off, I actually  loved it once I’d got the hang of it, and learned to go with the speed.

It’s worth taking a MSAC map $2 from their office as it has the water taps marked, which when it’s blazing down and you are parched becomes a major.. we’d only taken one bottle of water each, trying to travel light.

Yep in case you are reading this after having just done that stretch we did push our bikes up the uphills quite a bit… not as fit as I could be maybe but still I walk at least 3 – 4 times a week and gym occasionally so not a total office bound geek.

Eatwell’s Lookout is worth the extra trip up for the view, and the idea is to have fun, so do drink in the stunning Marlborough Sounds’ views, take time out to see the wekas, take a swim etc..it’s part of the mission! The visitors books are worth a keek too, whilst munching on your scroggin. Love the blufflike signpost, bet that will feature in so very many holiday snaps from now on! (see gallery soon!)

Cruising down tarmac to Portage was also way good fun… we camped at Cow Shed Bay DOC camp site, but you can also enjoy the luxury of The Portage Resort Hotel. We dined there at the Snapper Cafe and Bar, the lentil salad with falafel and rocket was simply delicious. Feasting like kings, watching the sunset and drinking down ice cold coke was magnificient after a great day on the bikes.

We walked to Anakiwa the next day, swimming at Mistletoe Bay en route, filling up our water bottles at the taps there, (lovely walk down through beech woodland, though do mind the roots!!) and  enjoyed the change of pace. It’s such a beautiful experience whether walking or biking, so do book and make some memories of your own.

Anyway I’d best away and walk… have to keep up the exercise – maybe just Bob’s Bay today!

Tika

I’ll try and post a gallery of pix soon… some awesome scenery, but don’t wait, get out there and have some fun!