Cycling the Otago Rail Trail

rcbloxham

Yes I took to the Central Otago Rail Trail in the beginning of January 2007 We started of from Wedderburn shed the day was very windy few cyclists were using the rail trail that day so Carol and I decide to cycle the Rail Trail as soon as I rode the bike the chain had came off 400 metres away from my starting then got of and put it back on Carol decide to return back to Wedderburn and drove the car into Oturehua to met me It was a uphill climb to the Highest Point than downhill actually I stopped and talked to the couple of cyclists pushing there bikes uphill one of the cyclists had a loose bike seat he asked me if I had some tools with me and some Allen keys I said yes Who ever reads this letter you should always carry some bike tools with you. as you never know when you might need them.I carried onto Oturehua Carol rode from Oturehua to Ida Valley then her bike had broke down the chain had come of the derailleur so she could not continue to ride her bike Had to collect the bike and head of to Ranfurly to camp for the night as I need to get the bike fixed up 2 days after I dropped her of to Ida Valley Carol decide to bike towards Alexandra only problem she had is a puncture passed Chatto Creek I had to cycle down to the rescue and change the tube then Carol carried on. then met her at Alexandra Days after I decide to bike to Ranfurly but some of the areas were uphill towards Chatto Creek and its more hilly towards Omakau and Lauder to Pool Burn then flat towards Ida Valley my bike broke down. had no spare gear derailleur available. it was in the car had to text Carol SOS that my bike had broken down.Had to wheel the bike for 3 kilometres from Ida Valley to Oturehua crossing all because of a broken gear derailleur.This probably may have learn,t my lesson now. To all cyclists you should always carry a selection of spare parts with you A mobile phone to contact friends relatives what ever. plenty of drinking water with you. enough food to make your destiny.If your bike breaks down and you have no spare parts or tools with you.You could be miles away from anywhere.So we did the whole rail trail with only 5 breakdowns plus a squeaky bike seat riding from Daisy Bank to Hyde as it was really getting on my nerves.Got to Middlemarch the temperature must have been more than 30 degrees as I rode from Middlemarch to Rock and Pillar must had drank 3 or so litres of water as I was running short had Carol waiting for me at the Hyde Memorial to fill up my water bottle probably a flagon of water next time had to travel 7 kilometre with only 500mls of water left.Got a bit thristy.

matagi

Sounds exhausting. How long is this rail trail? Who is Carol?

And finally ..... a bit of attention to spelling and punctuation wouldn't go astray. It sounds like an interesting ride but your post was bloody hard to read.

62vette

What she said, punctuate son!

It's 151km all up, here's some details Ma, - http://www.railtrail.co.nz/the_rail_trail.html

rcbloxham

The Central Otago Rail Trail is 150 kilometres long and Carol was my wife I,m trying to do my best of writing as tho I,m not very good at writing notes Richard

matagi

Just had a look at the website, looks like fun.

Richard, how long did it take you to do the whole trail? Is the trail suitable for road bikes or are you better off with a mountain bike?