The Marton Sash and Doors trail (Grade 3, approx. 22kms) begins at National Park Rail Station. It is a varied loop track, stretches of flat trails, a short sharp (with corners) climb up to the forest, and a tram trail. The trail surface ranges from gravel/shingle, railway ballast, buried sleepers and pine forest floor with tree roots. It is bumpy. The landscape changes from alpine volcanic to the beautiful New Zealand Bush to pine forest.
Continue readingThe Fishers Track trail (Grade 2 Length 27km Duration 2-3 hours) begins at National Park Station. Once up on the trail, via a gentle uphill gravel road; the 6kms grassy track hugs to the side of the range. The track surface varies from smooth, with some parts deeply rutted, possibly due to motorbikes. The sweeping road at the end is gravel/shingle. The trail is 37% gravel, 18% single track (grass) and 44% quiet sealed country lane.
Continue readingA cloudy grey morning greeted us on the day we had planned to ride the Ohakune Old Coach Road (Grade3 Length 15kms Duration 2-4 hours). We were concerned about the state of the trail after the heavy overnight rain. But we need not have worried. Due to the volcanic environment, the water had drifted away. The best way to do the trail is from Horopito courtesy of a shuttle. The trail surface is famous for the old cobblestones that were needed for horse and coach to travel between rail lines before they connected. It is bumpy. There are also sections with multiple tree roots. There are sharp corners. The rewards are the history, the views, and the bush.
Continue readingWe chose to do four rides in the Ohakune-National Park area on our eBikes, in May 2022. The weather forecast looked mainly dry. On the Monday, we drove up from Hawkes Bay via the Taihape-Napier Road. The day was cloudy with unusual cloud effects above Mount Ruapehu. Two days later, the weather cleared to reveal that it had been snowing.
Trails: Ohakune Old Coach Road, Fishers Track, Marton Sash and Door
Road: Ohakune Circuit including Ohakune Lake
Continue readingThe Ebike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group was formed on the 28th March, 2017. This 5th anniversary ride takes in a section of that first ride – the Puketapu loop to the Puketapu Pub. The celebration ride was slightly late this year due to the clash with the South Island Tour. This anniversary ride began at the Boat Ramp Eatery in Ahuriri, and picked up riders at Park Island and Dolbel Reserve. Approx. distance 55kms (full ride).
Continue readingThe main purpose of the ride today, was to view the autumn colours at Pukeora Forest of Memories, just south of Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay. We began our ride at Waipawa, and rode the concrete pathway alongside Highway 2 to Ford Road, Waipukurau. The Tukituki River Trail between Waipawa and Waipukurau was closed due to works being carried out to salvage the Tarewa Swing Bridge that had been damaged in last month’s floods. Distance: 53.5 kms.
Continue readingEbike Social Riders Hawkes Bay. South Island Tour 2022. Otago Rail Trail: Waipiata to Middlemarch. The final ride of the tour. Please scroll down for the tour wrap-up by Charlie Davey.
“Day 4, final day of the Otago Rail Trail. Waipiata to Middlemarch. A long day so we started early, but it was a smooth easy trail. Various scenes from along the way. And the finishing touches. What a wonderful 4 days it’s been, no rain on any of our rides in the SI.” – Pippi
Continue readingEbike Social Riders Hawkes Bay. South Island Tour 2022. Otago Rail Trail. Wedderburn to Waipiata.
“Day 3. The Otago Rail Trail: Very foggy start, Perrine and I chose to wear shorts and sandals for which we paid with freezing feet until our coffee stop at Ranfurly when the sun appeared.
Continue readingEbike Social Riders Hawkes Bay. South Island Tour 2022. Otago Rail Trail: Omakau to Wedderburn.
“Day 2 of the ORT dawned bright and beautiful and stayed that way all day. Omakau to Wedderburn, 45ks, tunnels, viaducts and very bumpy old train bridges, and a welcome lunch stop at Hayes Cafe. Ernest Hayes invented the world famous wire strainers and the cafe is in the first family cottage. Tonight we are in the Wedderburn Cottages and enjoyed an afternoon cuppa with delightful rural views, followed by dinner in the Wedderburn Tavern.” – Pippi
Continue readingEbike Social Riders Hawkes Bay. South Island Tour 2022. Otago Rail Trail: Clyde to Omakau.
Day One. “Started in Clyde, to Alexandra, Chatto Creek, then Omakau for a night in the Old Post Office. Woke to a beautiful sunrise and a very cool morning followed by a lovely warm day.” – Pippi
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Hawkes Bay Ebike Rides 