A 25-year-old mountain biker who fell at least 50 metres down the steep papa Battleship Bluff on the Mangapurua Track east of the Bridge to Nowhere on Saturday was lucky the vertebrae she broke in her neck did not sever her spinal chord.
She was airlifted to Wanganui Hospital with a broken neck vertebrae, a broken wrist and bruises, and was yesterday well enough to be discharged.
The Taupo woman was cycling a piece of the track cyclists are warned to push their bikes along.
An experienced mountain biker, she was in a party of 12 seasoned cyclists when her bike slipped off the narrow papa track and she tumbled down the bluff.
A member of the group moved to higher ground to alert emergency services on a radio while others stabilised the woman.
The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter responded to the 4pm callout and winched a St John Ambulance advanced paramedic down to the woman before she was airlifted to Wanganui.
Department of Conservation (DoC) Whanganui Conservancy community recreation programme manager Jasmine Hessell said the Grade 3 intermediate Mangapurua Track was a 40 kilometre ride for those who were experienced.
"They need to be prepared because it's a long ride, fairly rugged and remote, and near the end it is technical," she said.
It was difficult to communicate because of its remoteness, and cyclists should be aware of this, Ms Hessell said.
At the start of the Battleship Bluff is a warning sign for riders to dismount. But for those who were competent, they could attempt to cycle that part of the track. However, Ms Hessell said, the warning sign was there for a reason.
She added there was a lot of information about the tracks on the DoC website, and brochures were available, which cyclists can read before they set out.
The Mangapurua Track is a one-day cycle ride, or up to three days walking. It is a section of the Nga Ara Tuhono Cycle Trail - Mountains to Sea and part of the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network.
It is also part of Te Araroa, a walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. The track can be accessed from either Whakahoro or Ruatiti Road. Whakahoro is reached by road from State Highway 4, from Owhango or Raurimu.