Queenstown take II

After return from the South West and Fiordlands, we would spend the next few days in Queenstown before heading on to Wanaka for Christmas. I had decided to try the local bike park and some down hill mountain biking. The biggest draw was that you could put your bike on the gondola, get to the top and then just peddle down hill! What's the worst that could happen...

So I chose a local shop which was kitted out with an array of expensive bikes and very knowledgeable guys. I had booked a half day bike hire and gondola pass, helmet, body armor and downhill bike. In addition I thought It wise to get an introduction to the place, so a guide from the shop would accompany me on my first 2 runs, show me the bike, terrain and give me some hints and tips for downhilling.


The first run great and nice to get underway. The park was unique and purpose built for mountain bikers. We caught the gondola to the top and set off on our second run of the day on a track called 'Vertigo'! All was going well until about half way down the track. The guide had mentioned that there were a number of points that required a quick decision, left or right. This was usually a jump or a bigger jump, however the decision I came across was left or right, quite simple really. Turn right and you can avoid the tree right infront of you. However my choice of going left was a little miscalculated. Instead of sticking to the proper path, I went head first over the steep edge and into the gravel and bushes.


Before I knew it my momentum had taken me over the handle bars, head (and helmet) meeting ground, followed closely by my right shoulder. Needless to say a few chosen profanties and moans/groans followed. I sat up and righted myself, before feeling rather dizzy and uncomfortable.


The guide rushed back up the track to help me out, which was good timing as the 'dizziness' was soon to be 'temporarily unconsciousness'. I came to with the guide calling the ambulance - whoops! I managed to walk down the track to wait for the ambulance, which was on route up the fire tracks to meet us. I hopped on board, had a once over by the paramedics, necked a few paracetamol and supped on some gas & air.


I arrived at A&E and was pleased to see that the guy who follow me in also had a biking accident, however he had been flown in by chopper after snapping his ankle heli-biking. I'm not sure I could have coped with a chopper ride, what with my aversion to bumpy avian flights. Now that would have literally added insult to injury, me vomming on route to A&E!


Anyway, a quick X-ray confirmed that I had indeed broken my right collar bone in two - great! Normally for such an injury they just strap you up and ply you with lots of drugs, as it is not a break that can be bandaged or set in plaster. However the doctor sent my X-ray down to the main hospital in Invercargill to the orthopedic guys and I had to wait until the next morning to hear the options. That being do nothing and let it heal by itself, or have an op to screw it together.


So Kip came and picked me up and took me back to the hostel. The most annoying thing about the whole day (apart from breaking my collar bone and paying for half days hire and only using an hour of it) was that tonight was supposed to be Ferg burger night.

In Queenstown there is a legendary burger place called Ferg burger and tonight was to be that night. However having not eaten all day I felt I'd earnt one, so Kip was dispatched with my order. Wow what a great burger, although having to get used to doing everything with my left hand proved novel, especially when trying to eat a big burger.
The night passed with an ok nights sleep, the drugs helped alot, although sleeping upright is just weird. I heard from the hospital in Invercargill the next morning and they said that they may consider the surgery, but suggested I wait one week, have another xray to see if any progress is made naturally and then call back....
So the good news is that we can have Christmas together and enjoy that time rather than traipsing 250Km south and waiting for an op. The bad news is that I am an invalid !