On tuesday morning at 9am I went to Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company in Picton. I tried out the bike, went through some details and was put on the 10am boat. It was very sunny and got very hot. The boat left the harbour and down Queen Charlotte Sound where a load of dolphins picked up the boats trail.
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| One of the dolphins following the boat |
The boat went to 4 stops before Punga Cove so it was just before 12 when I got off the boat and could start riding. I walked through the Punga Cove resort and then started riding when I got to the Queen Charlotte track (QCT). Starting off going uphill I noticed the advantage of the 27.5inch wheels. The bike was a Scott Scale and had what I thought was a good setup. The climbing flattened out after ascending about 200m and I managed to get a good ride out with great views towards my right to Kenepura Sound.
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| Kenepura Sound in the background |
But after about 4 miles it started ascending again, but this time it was so steep I was conceeded to pushing. After reaching about 400m the track stayed pretty high and was rideable but a little undulating. I hadn't seen a single person yet and enjoyed eating my peanut butter sandwich lunch with the views to myself.
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| Lunchtime views |
The track was good and started to descend going past Blackrock shelter and then a great winding descent to the Portage busy road crossing. I had to slow for the odd walker on the way down, trying not to piss anyone off.
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| Well timed shot |
After eating cookies at the Portage Bay road crossing I continued uphill, which was again very steep so again had to push until it came to its highest point of about 450m and it was all fantastic riding from there with some brilliant singletrack and some great rocky decents and switchbacks.
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| Portage Bay Below |
My arms and hands were tiring from the tricky descents, but it eventually came to an end when the QCT came to another road crossing, where I followed it left down to Mistetoe bay. I finished for the day at about 4pm. There was only about 8 miles left of the QCT, and I was tempted to finish it, if it wasn't for the long road stretch back to Mistetoe Bay and the threat of rain.
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| 2nd from last decent of the day |
I was booked to stay in accomodation for six individuals, but as no one else was staying there I had a small shack to myself. I felt spoilt as it consisted of a living room, two bedrooms (one with double bed), a bathroom with shower and a kitchen. I made dinner, read and slept in the double bed.
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| Slap up meal |
After a good sleep I started again about 9am.It stsrted uphill but just about rideable, but my legs were still feeling the effects of the day before. The track levelled off and the singletrack was awesome with some sweeping corners, some rocky bits and boardwalks.
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| Enjoying the view |
The section was brilliant and it seemed a shame when I was back at sea level, but at least I had chance to leave the bike and take a dip in the sea at Davies Bay. As it was again hot and sunny.
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| Davies Bay (all mine for 1/2 hour) |
After the dip and the chance to call down. I carried on and there was still a couple of miles of good track to enjoy before the QCT ended in Anikiwa. It was only about 11am and with my boat pick up being 4pm, I called The Marlborough Sounds Adventure company and told them I would ride back to Picton along the roads.
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| Anakiwa (end of the QCT) |
The road riding was undulating as it would go over a hill and then back down to the many coves. The cycle from Anakiwa was about 15 miles and I stopped for a coffee and cake when I came past a cafe in one of the coves.
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| Just before the last decent into Picton |
After the many undulations the road went up over the hill at about 200m where it descended into Picton and I gave the bike back at about 12:30.
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