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?
There's a good mix of people on these trips, from all over New Zealand, all riding styles, and all ages, generally the average age is around 32. If you have been meaning to do this ride, or just enjoy epic singletrack this is an excellent opportunity.
Friday 23rd 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.
http://www.atlantishostel.co.nz
Saturday 24th Nov
9am we get on the Endeavour Express for Ship's Cove
http://www.boatrides.co.nz
Ride from Ship's Cove to Punga Cove (20km)
4pm catch Endeavour Express to Furneaux Lodge
Stay the night at Furneaux Lodge
http://www.furneaux.co.nz
Sunday 25th 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. If there is enough interest we'll organise a fixed price BBQ buffet at Furneaux Lodge (see the bottom of this post for more details)
I have made a group booking with Atlantis(accommodation Friday night), Endeavour Express(shuttle boat), Furneaux Lodge(accommodation Saturday night) and the new track usage charges(bugger!) and will be taking full responsibility for getting money off YOU and giving it to them.
COST
As late bookings and changes add to the organising headache I've set a sliding scale for the cost this year. The earlier you pay - the more you save!
$210 per person for riders who pay before the end of August.
$225 per person for riders who pay before the end of September
$250 per person for riders who pay before the end of October
$275 per person for riders who pay before the end of November
Vorb Foundation members receive a 20% discount off these amounts. Cancellations before the end of October will receive a 90% refund, after that you will only receive a 80% refund if your place is filled.
Hope this gives you all enough information to go on.
Cheers
Tama
*BBQ Dinner on Saturday
I've had a chat with Geoff at Furneaux and for $35 a head he'll do us the following buffet BBQ. This is an optional extra and not included in the cost. We need a minimum of 20 people but it's such a cracking deal I'm sure most people will be up for it.
Geoff from Furneaux Lodge wrote:
Fresh baked Garlic Bread Loaf
Selection of Bread Rolls
Hummus
Aioli
Baked Potatoes accompanied with Cheese and Sour Cream
Fresh Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Potato and Chive Salad with Chardonnay Cream
Freshly Sliced Tomato drizzled with Basil oil
Fried Onions
Gourmet Lamb and Mint Sausages
Marinated Chicken Nibbles
Porterhouse Steak
Vegetarian Kebabs if requested
Condiment Tray of Chutney, Sauces and Seasonings to Accompany your BBQ
Classic Kiwi Pavlova with Whipped cream
Fresh Fruit Salad
Last edited by Tama on Fri 20/Jul/07 12:12pm; edited 4 times in total
Joined: Dec 31, 2005 Posts: 3,752 Location: At Jim's house!
Posted: Fri 20/Jul/07 2:21pm Post subject:
psychavoc wrote:
Even if I have to find some friends to come along with me..
I'll be your friend on this!!
Just a bit concerned about the "decent amount of fitness" required... How much? Do you have to be able to ride up Karapoti Classic type hills?
fraserb Fixed and Free ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fast and Easy
Joined: Jun 05, 2003 Posts: 8,458 Location: tauranga. nz
Posted: Fri 20/Jul/07 2:31pm Post subject:
sweet_P wrote:
psychavoc wrote:
Even if I have to find some friends to come along with me..
I'll be your friend on this!!
Just a bit concerned about the "decent amount of fitness" required... How much? Do you have to be able to ride up Karapoti Classic type hills?
I managed to keep up near the lead bunch a couple of years back and I didnt and still dont consider myself a fit person.
there really was plenty of time to just cruise for the average rider
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There's cooking facilities at both Atlantis and Furneaux. If there is enough interest we'll organise a fixed price BBQ buffet at Furneaux Lodge (see the bottom of this post for more details) 
