3 Day Freedom Ride

PRICES FOR THE 2018/19 SEASON

THE LONG WEEKENDER:

THE FULL MONTY:

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INCLUDES:

• Mountain bike rental – Scott Scale 760 mountain bike with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, tool kit, pump, helmet, water bottle carrier, and map
• Pre-trip information
• Complete information pack for use while riding the track
• Twin share accommodation, as listed
• Packed lunch each day
• Water transport to the track and water transfer of luggage each day
• Transfer back to Picton
• Use of the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company as a base
• Queen Charlotte Track Land Co-op Pass

Trip Conditions

• Booking is subject to accommodation availability on the track
• $100 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm booking.
• Final payment is required 60 days prior to departure date.
• Cancellations received between 30 days and up to 7 days from day of trip departure will be eligible for a 50% refund of the trip value.
• For cancellations received 7 days or less from date of departure, we will not be able to issue a refund.
• Single supplements do apply.
• Dinner, breakfast and refreshment costs are to be met by client. As you are staying at licensed resorts they request that you do not take alcohol on to the property.
• Additional water transport costs, if required, are to be met by client.
• Upon arrival at our office you will be asked to complete a registration form. You must understand that you are taking a self-guided trip, therefore you are responsible for your own safety and well-being for the duration. Any additional costs incurred during your trip, due to illness or accident, are to be met by yourselves.

Rental Conditions

• Clients are required to be at our office forty-five minutes prior to departure, for a bike fit-out and briefing.
• If it has been raining, we may not rent the bikes out as the track can be too slippery to ride. We will not rent bikes out if we believe the condition of the track will affect the quality of your ride.
• Clients are required to provide a bond of some form. This is usually a credit card imprint for $800 which we hold at our office until they return. Other personal items may be used if clients are not travelling with a credit card.

DEPARTURE

The track is open for these options from 1 March to 31 November each year and you can depart on any day, subject to accommodation availability. During 1 December to 28 February, the Ship Cove to Punga Cove section is closed to mountain bikers, therefore these 2.5-3 day options are not available, see 2 day Ride options for this period of the year.

We recommend that riders wear or bring:

• Shorts
• Soft shoes (heavy shoes or tramping boots are not suitable)
• Sun protection
• Warm, protective clothing
• Water

Mountain bike rental includes:

• Scott Scale 60 bikes which have been maintained in-house by our Shimano-qualified bike mechanic. Bikes have front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and 27 gears.
• Tool Kit
• Pump
• Helmet
• Water bottle carrier
• Map

Also available:

SPD pedals are available upon request

• What meals are included in our trip?
• A packed lunch is included in your freedom ride package. Dinner and breakfast can be purchased at the resorts each day. Each resort has a different style of dining and menu options ranging from bar meals to a la carte dining. Breakfasts range in price from approximately $15 for a continental breakfast to $22 for a cooked breakfast. Dinners range from approximately $20 for a bar meal to $60 for a 2 or 3 course a la carte option. Facilities are limited for you to take your own breakfast, and this is dependent upon the style of accommodation you choose.
• Is there water available on the track?
• Drinking water is available at strategic places on the track. We recommend that you carry a pump bottle that holds approximately 750ml or more which can be topped up during the day.
• What is the track surface like to ride?
• The track has a clay base which means that in dry conditions it is hard and relatively easy riding, but when it has rained it is extremely slippery and difficult to ride. We will not rent bikes out if we believe the condition of the track will affect the quality of your ride. While some sections of the track are easy to ride, other sections have tree roots, bluffs and rocky areas that make riding more challenging.
• Is the track open all year?
• Yes, but the section from Ship Cove to Punga Cove is closed from 1 December to 28 February each year.
• How much experience do you need to ride the Queen Charlotte Track?
• The Queen Charlotte Track is regarded as a technical track so to ride the whole track, you need to be a reasonably skilled rider. If you are less skilled or unsure of your abilities, there are easier options, such as the section from Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa.
• How many days does it take to ride the track?
• For experienced riders we recommend two days – Ship Cove to Portage on Day One, and then Portage to Anakiwa on Day Two.
  For less experienced riders we recommend three days – Ship Cove to Punga Cove (Day One), Punga Cove to Portage (Day Two), and Portage to Anakiwa (Day Three).
• Do we have panniers for the bikes?
• No, because the water transport companies carry your packs as part of your water transfers, panniers are not required. Also the terrain is too rough for easy carriage of panniers on the bikes.