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Articles: On The Trail (read 'Trial") again!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 10:45 PM, (440 Reads)

(PHOTO: Places & Travel..Central Otago...... '8 to 80's rail.. 'about to enter") About to enter one of the two tunnels between Wedderburn and Omakau. From the left, Linda (niece), Richard her partner, Mary (my sister), Shaun and me.
We started from Middlemarch, a group of 13 getting out at 10am in full winter gear as overnight snow had fallen on the surrounding hills. However, no wind and lovely autumn colours entranced us on the first leg which was a heavy one of 55km. Through Ranfurly , it was still calm but on the way out the balloon like clouds formed in the sky forecasting strong NW winds. This was a really hard slog with most of us getting off and walking and not being able to steer the bike with the headwind.
The night was spent..................... in Naseby with a cordon bleu dinner at the old Royal Hotel. Cordon bleu prices too. I had a 12 inch sausage on mash which produced a lot of ribald comments! Next photo is me fighting the wind up the trail: (photo ...places & travel..central otago....8 to 80s....."These Headwinds..) At the top which was 618metres the next photo was taken of Shaun & me; (photo ...places & travel..central otago...8 to 80s... "At the top"..). It was all downhill from there to Alexandra but naturally the wind had swung right round and was on the nose from the south west!
It would have been much better without the wind but the cameraderie of the family was uplifting and it really was great fun. Lots of lovely meals in old pubs, coffees on a sidewalk in a country village, the sight of John and the huge caravan ahead signalling a welcome rest spot. Joan, sister, was also in a car behind with 4 bike racks on for the times when the 8 year old and/or the 80 year old couldn't face the next leg. It was me at one time - aches and pains and the noise of the wind was not what I wanted to deal with then.
The Trail was very busy with huge numbers buzzing down or up the trail. I got sick of saying Hello, Hi, etc every few seconds to the opposing bikers free wheeling down the slopes with the wind behind them. It became a grunt after a while and even merged into a few miserable comments (not that they could hear).
Shaun was either miles in front or way behind depending on where he wanted to be but was great company with his twinkly eyes and wide smile making witty comments.
Great Travelling Shaun!!!!!

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