If you have ever dreamed about riding light and fast for 3000 km, from Cape Reinga to Bluff, then check out http://www.touraotearoa.nz
We are running this 2-4 week brevet in Feb-Mar 2016. Start planning now!
Round Taupo was just as much of a buzz as ever. Great to meet so many cyclists in such a short space of time.
The following day we teamed up with mountain bike guide Ted Webb and did a circumnavigation of Mt Pureora.
Beautiful scenery, tricky navigation and a mix of riding = a classic mtb adventure. One for the next edition of Classic NZ Mountain Bike Rides.
We recommend Tread Routes – NZ Mountain Biking Expeditions for any group looking for an awesome biking holiday.
The Rimutaka Cycle Trail had its official opening on 23 of October.
It stood out as special because of meeting an old man that used to live at the Rimutaka Rail Trail summit. Ron Mitchell had to catch the mail train to school at Cross Creek and has vivid memories of life on the trail when steam was king.
Here is Jonathan having a look at Ron’s photo album, and the PM opening the latest cycle trail.
The great thing about local cycling holidays is that you can be flexible and take advantage of fine weather with a group of friends. We decided to head around the Rimutaka Cycle Trail and had tailwinds most of the way.
The trail is in brilliant condition for 99% of the route from Petone to Ocean Beach, which is where we camped at DOC’s Corner Creek campsite. The last section around to Orongorongo Station will be officially opened soon, but be warned, there hasn’t been any upgrading work done yet. We will let you know when they start.
The Odyssey track building competition over Easter saw 55 people carve over 1000 metres of track. It ended up spanning two days, because we tried unsuccessfully to postpone on Saturday, but three Nelson teams were already on their way, despite torrential rain. Luckily if fined up and they were joined by a dozen locals and the Kennett clan team from Wellington.
On Sunday the track was built all the way through the pines to the 800 metre mark. First equal, having built 160 metres each, were the Quiet Revolution team and the Kennett clan team. The Trail Saints from Nelson were only 10 metres behind in third place.
The weather was perfect on Monday, so 30 Golden Bay locals entered, but the building was much tougher as we carved across a steep scrubby face for almost 300 metres.
The end result is that well over half the track has been built. It is currently grade 4 in the pines and grade 5 below that. There is still a fair chunk of work to go, so it probably won’t be rideable all the way through until after winter.
Many thanks to the event sponsors for prizes and materials: Ground Effect, Giro, Cycletech, Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop and us.
Check out Project Rameka’s website.