Sunday, April 11, 2010

Otago Rail Trail - Clyde

Twelve High School friends biking the Rail Trail
- Priceless!!

We all met at Clyde & enjoyed a catchup & a pleasant
walk around this historic town.
Almost predictable that a colourful tour bus should
get into my picture!!














Clyde - Lauder, 48 km

Departure Day!!! Colourful sky but very chilly.
Some of us chose to ride the river track to Alexandra,
more scenic. We all met at the Shakey Bridge Cafe
for breakie (they do a great Eggs Benedict). When
we left there, about 10.30 it was a beautiful day with
clear skys. The Tiger Hill to be conquered today -
our training payed off, and we all handled it with ease.











The long straight irrigated farmland of Galloway Flat





Late lunch stop at Chatto Creek, before tackling Tiger Hill















The trail follows a sweeping 'S' designed to get the trains
up Tiger Hill without exceeding a 1 - 50 gradient.













Hungrey campers at the Lauder Pub, we were well
catered for!




Lauder - Wedderburn & Naseby, 34.5km

This stunning sunrise greated us when we woke in
Lauder. Partly cloudy & rising nor-westers, nothing
that worried us though. An uphill ride reaching 618m
above sea level, then down hill (with tail wind) to
Wedderburn. We were picked up there & driven
to Naseby for the night, taking in some curling.






Curved Manuheriki Bridge







Poolburn Gorge, through schist cuttings & two
long tunnels







37m high Poolburn Viaduct, very impressive









The trusty "Nana" bike



.....then through the Ida Valley















A visit to the historic Hayes Engineering Works





Manniototo Plains



The Red Shed at Wedderburn

















Check out the spelling......



We gave the curling a go - its not easy & more practise
is needed!