Day 14 - January 24, 2023

Day 14:  Raetihi - Optional Bridge to Nowhere Trail

Optional:  Ride the Bridge to Nowhere Trail and jet boat then transfer to Raetihi.  Or - spend the day exploring cycle trails in the area.

Well, I really would have liked to cycle to the Bridge to Nowhere, but it was not in the cards for me.  There has been a bit of a cold going around and it seems it is now my turn to have it.  More than that, though, there's almost 50 km of off-road/mountain bike terrain, and I don't think my skills are up to it.  Besides, the body can use a break today.  Two riders have gone off to do the whole thing and one more took a bump to the start of the off-road part.  I'm looking forward to hearing the reports.  

Here's some info from Wikipedia.................  The Bridge to Nowhere is a concrete road bridge spanning the Mangapurua Stream in Whanganui National Park.  It has no roads leading to it, accessible by mountain bike or tramping on a variety of different tracks.  It was built to provide access to an area where the government was opening up land in 1917 for pioneering farmers, mainly soldiers who had returned from WWI.  The intention was to build roads to it later, but the area proved to be so remote and unsuitable for farming that the venture failed and the farms reverted to native bush.  The bridge was started in January 1935 and completed in June 1936.  It is 130 feet long and 125 feet above the stream. After 1917 virgin forest was cleared and a total of 35 holdings developed.  A school was opened, and for some years the valley prospered.  However economic hardship and problems associated with the remoteness and difficulty of access resulted in many families abandoning their farms.  By 1942 there were only 3 families left.  After a major flood in January 1942 the government declined to do further road maintenance and it officially closed the valley in May 1942.  The disappearing road line, old fence lines, stands of exotic trees, occasional brick chimneys, and this bridge serve as reminders of the ill fated settlement of the Mangapurua Valley.

Once more the proprietress will be providing dinner for us tonight.  If last night's lasagna feast is any indication of what we'll have tonight, it will be a good one.


Stats for the day:

Distance:  0 km

Elevation (Garmin):  0

Elevation (RWGPS):  0

Weather:  A bit more overcast and cooler today with some moisture in the forecast for tomorrow.




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