Leaving Lauder we rode into the amazing
Poolburn Gorge
300 men hacked, chiseled, and blasted to make the path for the train over 3yrs in 1901
Leaving the green countryside behind
we rode through the Rugged Schist Rock...
.
Then over the 110m long Manuherikia Bridge No. 1
Back amongst the Schist Rock
A photographer
That's my brother!!!!!!!Russell
Poolburn Gangers Shed had a fireplace in it ..very necessary here in the winter
Christine from above
The narrow ride uphill to Tunnel No2
Poolburn Tunnel No 2..(13)
the longest tunnel on the trail 229 metres.
The bikers explored the path to the left, a short path to the relics of the Lineman,s Base, used during the rail construction through the Poolburn Gorge.
Tunnel extremely dark and is curved and just bare rock .We walked through it with our torches.
There is really light at the end of the tunnel.
Scenery through the gorge
Riverbank willows in there Autumn Colours...Stunning
Photo stop
Poolburn Tunnel No 1 is in sight
The lone rider just about there ......
Poolburn Tunnel No 1 201 metre
The ride in
All smiles we achieved it ..!!!
Both tunnels feature portals with bolstered schist slab facings....
.with arches outlined in brick
Deep into the cutting
Russell loves exploring high places
And so does Ian ..what were they planning ..who would know
Just taking the best photos from different angles
The 109
metre long and 37 metre high Poolburn Viaduct
Built from hand hewn stone
Informative panels all along the way
The ride across was very noisy and high.
The contrast colour of the Viaduct and the brilliant blue sky was magnificent
We were fortunate enough to see the rare New Zealand falcon (Karearea)
he followed us for a while
Russell having his last explore before he leaves the Poolburn gorge.
The Ida Valley comes into view
Ida Valley Gangers Shed sign
Ida Valley and the Long White Cloud sitting over the Maniototo Plains
The different colours were stunning
Friends along the way
Paradise shelduck flying by
Some of us walked
The long straight tracks
Here come the girls
.." are we there yet ".
Ida Valley ride was a long 8km
Ida Valley in the winter
Oturehua we have biked 66 km
Oturehua (O-tur-ray-hu-a) map
Oturehua Railway Hotel built in late 1800..was a welcome place to have some homemade soup and a rest
Ian went and had a Jimmys mutton pie at famous
Gilchrist's Oturehua Store
Perhaps the most renowned historic building in Oturehua, is Gilchrists Store, still trading today, but with an interior little changed from when first opened. The original shop that was built in 1898 (adjacent to the existing shop) still stands today.
This is perhaps New Zealand’s oldest continuously operating general store
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