Taking on the Rocks Of Central Otago!

Taking on the Rocks and gorges of Central Otago.

Over the summer period we had been lucky enough to get some riding trips away over those long weekends like Waitangi weekend.
One of the places that I really got stoked on riding this summer was
The rocky Central Otago region. This place has a great network of trails, everything from the Matangi bike station in Alexandra to the hugely popular Lake Dunstan trail from Clyde to Cromwell and the Central Otago rail trail plus many more!
One of my favorites is the Butchers Dam loop and Sphinx Rock trail dropping down in to the Roxborough gorge.
A couple of days before Waitangi weekend the whole of New Zealand was expecting a huge weather bomb that weekend and huge amount of wind and rain ruining our chances of getting out in the Christchurch or Canterbury area. So we made a plan and a dash south for Alexandra in Central Otago.
Alex had its own weather pocket of sunshine.
Over that weekend our first day we rode up at the new Matangi bike station just behind the famous clock tower in Alexandra.
There is an extensive network of technical rocky and flowy trails in the Matangi station from blue to double black graded trails.
I really enjoyed getting my adrenalin thrill on and taking on some of the schist rocky slabs that were quite steep.
The rest of the group also thoroughly enjoyed that day
from what I recall. We had 8 of us of all mixed abilities.
The following day we hit up a friend of mine Tony who runs a motel in Alex
Al Park View motel. Tony is an incredible fit rider for his age lets say late 60s and is always and enjoyment to ride with. He knows the area so well he could ride most stuff blind folded.
Tony took us out of town heading along state highway 8 its a very fast busy road to ride along so care must be taken. Best to get a shuttle. we did this on second trip round at Easter. It climbs out of Alexandra for about 6km before dropping down to Butchers dam at the Flat Top Hill recreation area.
Once off the main road we started the trail heading around the edge of Butchers dam and along the dam wall
taking on a climb up some switch backs and over a section of techy rocky slabs running across the track.
We followed the purple haze track to the famous Sphinx rock. Once at the top
We regained our breath back and took on some water and snacks, topped up the sunscreen it was 26c and a belter of a day.
I myself once I wolfed down a chocolate apricot explosion bar.
Had to fix our mate Pete's bike! Now Pete is a Dutch man and knows best.
I had been telling him to fix this issue a few weeks back on a previous trip in Nelson. It was the rattling plastic disc between the cassette and wheel that protects the spokes. In the trade known as a dork disk. We normally remove them off bikes as they cause issues like jamming up your cassette and stopping the bike from free wheeling.
We resolved the issue after a bit of a struggle with Tony's leatherman and few choice words and bit of sweat from the heat
I issued Pete with a Beer fine.
That's what I charge if I have to fix a bike on the trail.
We got back on the bikes and headed past Sphinx rock and over a style and weaving our way down the Sphinks track. I stopped halfway down to get some photos of the group.
The track is sure to put a huge smile on your face as you descend down to the green turquoise waters of the Clutha river and in to the Roxborough gorge.
A nice cruzy 10km back along the Gorge back in to town for a well deserved pint at the local Ferris road brewery with a good selection of craft beers on tap.
My overall experience of riding in Alex or central Otago is that it rocks.
I strongly encourage you to go ride there whether your going for a blast on your E-bike on the Lake Dunstan trail with the Family or getting your enduro on and hitting the rocks of Matangi bike station.
Be sure to get your tickets online for riding at Matangi station. www.matangistationmtb.com
Wrist bands can pe picked up from local 4 square or any bike shop in town.
The Central Otago region is an area of outstanding beauty and will be sure to have you going back for more. I know I will!

Yaz Lapin