Joined: May 21, 2008 Posts: 2 Location: 5 mins from Makara Peak
Posted: Wed 21st May 11:33pm Post subject: Info Wanted About Nydia Bay
I'm looking to organise a weekend of biking in the Sounds with a dozen mates. I'm keen as to do the Nydia Bay track but just wondering how narly it actually is due to the variety of abilities in the group. How long do the rooty and rocky sections last. Is it going to be a mare for someone who's not overly aggresive or is it not as bad as its made out to be? Any idea how many hours if we were to start at Tennyson Inlet and finish at Shag Point(?) i.e. water taxi both ends. Cheers for any pointers...
This is a bike ride for those who like a challenge. The track is quite technical and rough, with many rocks and roots to negotiate. In wet weather it is very slippery and best not attempted. The track is best ridden north to south. Allow 5-8 hours; longer if you don't have transport to both roadends
An alternative could be the Archers track on the same page as an out and return ride. I walked it a few years ago & from memory it was pretty good, we walked out and halfway back in a day no probs. Might pay to check on the state of the track at the moment though, it would depend on how much DOC has been maintaining it.
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,338 Location: churchur
Posted: Thu 22nd May 12:29pm Post subject: RE: Info Wanted About Nydia Bay
Hurrycane wrote:
I'm looking to organise a weekend of biking in the Sounds with a dozen mates. I'm keen as to do the Nydia Bay track but just wondering how narly it actually is due to the variety of abilities in the group. How long do the rooty and rocky sections last. Is it going to be a mare for someone who's not overly aggresive or is it not as bad as its made out to be? Any idea how many hours if we were to start at Tennyson Inlet and finish at Shag Point(?) i.e. water taxi both ends. Cheers for any pointers...
I have ridden it a number of times and love it... but, I have met others doing it who thought it was the worst track in history!!
Unless you have very good technical skills and are above average fitness you are unlikely to enjoy it too much. There is no way that I would take a group of 12 people through there (I used to work as a mountain bike guide). There is waaaay too much potential for carnage.
The first climb is very rooty, and has clay inbetween the roots. It is a 1st or 2nd gear climb most of the way. I would not attempt this track if the ground is wet. The descent to Nydia starts off very rocky and technical, and gets progressively better on the way down, but unless you are confident this will be pretty scary until about half way down the hill.
Nice fast flowy bit with some pedalling along Nydia bay... with a friendly eel (he is huge).
Second steep climb. again 1st or second gear. Not as technical as the first, but your legs will be hurting by now. Again the descent is very technical at the top, lots of rocks and drops etc. gets better about half way down again.
It has taken us about 5 or 6 hours to do the track each time, but I have always been with fast, fit and technically competent people. I have met other people in there that have taken 9 or 10 hours!!
This is a ride I would choose who I rode it with very carefully, and pick your weather carefully as well!!
Wakamarina is a safer ride and really not far from there, and I assume you will already have queen Charlotte on the list.
Joined: May 21, 2008 Posts: 2 Location: 5 mins from Makara Peak
Posted: Thu 22nd May 11:46pm Post subject:
Thanks for this. Really good info. Rode Queen Charlotte last year (with 14 of us - trampers didn't know what hit them). Fantastic ride. We live in Wgtn and have a bach in the Sounds so hence wanted a ride that could get to without land transport. Wakamarina sounds great but could be a bit tricky to get a dozen guys and bikes into without vehicles. Hmmm thinking cap back on...
Nydia Bay still on my agenda and may do another time with a more select group of thrill seekers.
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