The Queen Charlotte Walkway is an excellent ride featuring singletrack, seaviews, and cheeky cheeky wekas. Most people ride it over 2-3 days - Vorb has been doing the ride over 2 days since 2000. In fact, Vorb's existence as a website is a direct result of riding the QCW - how special is that?
Click here for photos from last year. A maximum of 45 people can come on this ride, so book early to avoid disappointment. Here be the general theory:
Friday 24th Nov
45 places are booked at Atlantis Backpackers in Picton under "Vorb" - there's plenty of space for bikes and it's very close to town and the ferry.
Saturday 25th Nov
9am we get on the Endeavour Express for Ship's Cove
Ride from Ship's Cove to Punga Cove (20km)
4pm catch Endeavour Express to Furneaux Lodge
Stay the night at Furneaux Lodge
Sunday 26th Nov
8am we get on the Endeavour Express for Punga Cove
Ride to Anakiwa (35km)
4pm catch Endeavour Express to Picton
or ride to Picton (16km)
While the majority of the track isn't technical a decent amount of fitness is needed, especially for the second day which has a few brutal climbs. The QCW isn't much fun if you're out of shape (believe me.) This year transport to and from Picton is entirely up to you - trying to organise everyone's individual transport requirements just gets way to messy. If you're coming from Wellington I'd suggest the 6:15pm Interislander on Friday, and the 7pm Bluebridge on Sunday.
Meals can be carried, or brought at Picton/ Furneaux Lodge etc. - most people go for the bought option as there's nothing like a meal cooked by someone else after a hard days ride  There's cooking facilities at both Atlantis and Furneaux.
I have made a group booking with Atlantis($19), Endeavour Express($68) and Furneaux Lodge($65) and will be taking full responsibility for getting money off YOU and giving it to them. In total Atlantis, Endeavour Express and Furneaux Lodge come to $152 and I have added an extra $38 for my time, energy and sanity with all the QCW organising bizzo making $190. Please note that Vorb Foundation members get to use their 20% discount - making their amount $152. The more canny non-Vorb Foundationites out there will realize that it's cheaper to join the Vorb Foundation for 6 months ($30) and then book in the QCW once you get your discount code 
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Hope this gives you all enough information to go on.
Cheers
Tama |
