Since we got back onto bikes in 2011 we have endeavoured to undertake a few cycle tours each year. Initially this was largely off road along our growing network of cycle paths. However, after cycling in Europe we decided to give on-road touring a try and during 2018 & 19 undertook two road tours on our folding electric bikes which are not so suited to some of the off-road paths.
The Otago Rail Trail was our first multi-day ride back in 2011 and is probably the most popular trail in NZ. A thoroughly enjoyable ride that got us hooked back onto two wheels. In 2017, Cliff re rode a section that was shrouded in fog back in 2011. Riding the right way this time the weather turned out to be my enemy with a gale force headwind making the uphill section from Alexandra to Ophir quite a challenge.
We followed this up with ride on the Hauraki Rail Trail in early 2013 and then again in 2018. We found the flat terrain of the plains a little boring but the Karangahake Gorge section is brilliant.
The Twin Coast Trail is our local trail so it has been one that we have ridden on numerous occasions. The best section is from Okaihau to Horeke but make sure your ride from Okaihau – despite being classed as easy there is a fairly challenging hill just west of the start.
The Motu Trails looked a tad challenging but we did cycle the coastal section from Opotiki along to where the trail turns inland. It is good surface and a very pleasant cycle along the coast.
The same year (2013) as we rode the coastal section of the Motu trail we also had three days riding the Hawkes Bay Trails. We based ourselves in Napier and rode out from there. In 2019 we again cycled along some the trails during our road ride from Rotorua to Wellington.
In 2017 we rode sections of many of the South Island trails. The Little River Rail Trail, Roxborough Trail, Clutha Gold Trail, Queenstown Trails, Alps 2 Ocean. These trails all share the same thing, stunning scenery as you will see from the following images.
In 2016 we walked the Abel Tasman Track Golden Bay and decided to cycle back from Kaiteriteri to Nelson along the Great Taste Trail. It was a great way to finish a great walk,
We acquired folding (electric) bikes in 2018 and after testing them on Waiheke Island we undertook a ride around Mt Taranaki in spring of that year. It was our first multi day ride along roads in NZ. We had chosen our roads well and thoroughly enjoyed the 5 day ride.
After the success of our Taranaki ride we decided to tackle a more ambitious ride – 740km from Rotorua to Wellington. With the exception of the Hawkes Bay trails and Te Ari Ahu trail between Rotorua and Waiotapu it was all on-road. The longest section was along route 52 which proved to be largely devoid of four wheeled traffic – expect some four legged congestion.
