Test Eagles in New Zealand Part 3

Mark is a few days into his adventure now and it's good to see bikers get a trail pass from a logging company, and what is found on the other side of downed timber. Part three: Premature Evacuation

Under mixed skies the next morning, we loaded our gear and drove out of Nelson, through high mountain passes, clouds swirling round the peaks. Onwards to the million awaiting switchbacks of Wakamarina. Arriving at the trailhead access road two hours later, we were hungry for action. But our elation quickly turned to heart break in finding a sign forbidding entry due to active logging. We pulled over, cut the engine and waited with heavy hearts for a miracle to happen. We played with the idea of running the gambit, but the sign was rather serious in its implications, including threats of surveillance!




Shortly after we cut the engine, one of the foremen from the logging company happened down the road. When we explained our situation, he was sympathetic to our distress. Using his radio, he halted activity on the road for the next hour, ensuring us safe passage! We were as happy as Hobbits as we drove upwards to the beginning of the Wakamarina track, realizing we’d just received our ticket to ride! Sometimes prayers are answered.

After unloading the bikes, we climbed for an hour through cloud forest, traversing through the mist before taking a breather. Surrounded by giant Rimu trees draped in long hanging tufts of moss, we gathered ourselves before beginning the much-anticipated descent.




Fields of King ferns hemmed us in on either side of the trail and beech leaves blanketed our path, now soaked from rain the day prior and the consistency of soggy cornflakes left too long in your cereal bowl. They were slick and slimy under our tires and my rear wheel flew hectically round each switchback while my front threatened to wash out on every corner. Inevitably, I was flung helplessly off the trail, separated from my bike, my fall broken by pillowy ferns. I did my best to tail Metz on the corners, but Test Eagle One soon left me flailing behind. It was business as usual...




I would catch up moments later with Metz, seeing only his head poking above the ferns, well off the trail, down an embankment. He was human after all. Seeing Metz separated from his bike was a rare occurrence.




If I would be so lucky as to go to heaven after I die, I would be riding a trail like this for all eternity. Wakamarina was heavenly. It was a delectable 3ooo+ feet of switchbacks before we emerged again from the forest. We had just hit the G spot thanks to Wakamarina. I felt like having a cigarette.




When we finally arrived at Te Mahia, after a vomit inducing 2 hours of coastal driving, we celebrated another day in the saddle by sipping cocktails on the massive deck overlooking glassy waters. We watched the sunset with glowing faces that reflected the glee of a million switchbacks. Continuing with the gastronomic theme, we enjoyed fresh homemade bread, and a multi course meal complete with several bottles of wine and fresh fruit with yogurt for desert to ensure our transition into the new surroundings wouldn’t be too stressful. We indulged heartily, but we had earned it. Tomorrow would be a day of decadence and debauchery, as we would be riding the Vogel Town Massacre, a backyard trail that was a well kept secret. Then, the moment we would all be waiting for, Nydia. “All your training will be for this,” Skoda spoke to me like a true Jedi master.




Join us for Part 4 tomorrow, the final insertion in the Test Eagle Chronicles: Be a Test Eagle: Earn Your Wings The Vogel Town Massacre and Nydia. "All your training will be for this."

If you missed part one or two, here they are: Part One and Part Two.

Posted In:
Stories Reader Stories