We only had a couple of short sections to push the bikes, due toĮncountered today was a random attack by an angry wasp – the wasp got in a few Repeat of first recommendation 3-days inĪnd, having only 21km to complete and no concerns over managing batteryĭuration, we ‘turbo’d’ out of Portage and up the steep climb to the last of the Got into Portage at 6pm sharp – 35mins after sunset.
Near darkness, and in James’s case near blindness without his glasses, and we KTM bikes are an incredibly stable ride platform and tolerate minor errors Generally kept up while trying to remember if he had told his wife where the Trail) and Alex realised he had not brought the lights for the bikes! So using ‘male logic’, we decided to go faster! The young guy set the pace and the old guy Were getting quite hard to see anything through in the shady areas of the Realised he had not brought his prescription glasses (only sunglasses, which Sections) we were running out of time and daylight. Starting the downhill runs (which still include plenty of uphill Was certainly some foul language (directed at the environment in general) and Our teams 30-year age gap and general fitness and riding skills gap showed, Stages, steep-to-very-steep, with around 400mtr of altitude gained. Of Punga is brutal, especially on rubber legs from the mornings ride – three James, take it easy on lunch (a light salad, max). Of daylight left and 25km to cover – easy, right? Second recommendation when you still have aīig/tough ride ahead, if you are like Alex then eat what you want (he hooveredĪ large plate of fish and chips) but if you are older/fatter/less-fit, like We stopped for 45mins, so now we had 2.5hrs There for a quick top-up (if you have your charger with you, of course). Nicely, the lovely staff will let you plug in your e-bike battery while you are Resort is a top place to stop for some great food and a coffee and, if you ask Note the time – three and a half hours to We made plenty of photo stops, and a few ‘whyĬan’t I breathe’ stops for James, getting into Punga Cove around 2pm. The scenery is classic Marlborough Sounds andįor the first 28km section, to Punga Cove (website here ), there are plenty of holiday homesĪnd other places where you could stop and get help in an emergency, like Furneaux Lodge. On we rode, through beautiful native bushįilled with bird song, every now and then coming across an amazing view acrossĪ bay or over the Sounds and as far as the North Island from the tops. Season ride, with a fine day and moderate temperatures. (understatement) in the rain – we were lucky with the weather for this late Pretty damp in places and for sure it would be a major adventure Section it is tackled when you are fresh and it is short. Up a steep and rough track much easier, more akin to pushing a regular The ‘walk-assist’ function on ourīosch-powered KTM e-MTB’s came in very useful here (and again later on the Iron Man competition and are an expert mountain biker, you will be pushing yourīike up several sections over the first couple of kms. Or more accurately, the trail hit us! The initial section up out of Ship Cove isĮxtremely steep with a rough surface of rutted clay that is like grease when Perfect.ĭropped off at Ship Cove, and allowing 10mins or so to look at the historic monumentsĪnd take a comfort stop, we hit the trail around 10:30am. With only the essentials needed for the ride with you. They can also transfer your bags to/from yourĪccommodation on the trail, which is invaluable as it allows you to ‘ride-lite’ Informative and interesting commentary while ‘cruising’ out to Ship Cove. First recommendation unless you are very fit and experienced, plan toĬaught the first scheduled ferry with Beachcomber Cruises (website here) leaving Picton atĩam (for summer hours this boat departs at 8am giving you another hour ofĬruises provide a great service with efficient check-in, nice boats and an Out less than ideal in the shorter winter days. Not a bad idea in summer, but as it turned In his wisdom to plan to do the first 53km in a single day. One, Trail one – Queen Charlotte Track, Picton, Marlborough.Ī 3-day ride, split into manageable sections of 28km/25km/21km, James decided To get out there and see our amazing country on your amazing e-bike! We hope you enjoy it and that it inspires you Three parts, covering each of the three trails we rode. A total of around 210km of riding.Īlex (son): Age 24, weight 65kg, body fat 80%, fitness level 2/10, nickname ‘Fatty Bombalada’
The Queen Charlotte track (grade 3-5), most of the West Coast Wilderness (gradeĢ) and the St.James Cycleway (grade 3-5). Out to ride a few trails more distant from home, in the South Island.
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