The Great Taste Trail is a 200 kms loop that begins/ends in Nelson, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. The scenery is diverse – rivers, mountains, agriculture, forests, pastoral and coastal. The trail surface varies from concrete to a smooth track, to gravel, along roads and off road trails. We rode the Trail, clockwise, over 4 days, with a day off in the middle to spend the day kayaking, walking and swimming.
Continue readingThese two sections (#5 Whakamaru and #4 Maraetai) of the Waikato River Trails are more suited to young/fit/mountain bikers. I fit none of those categories and I found it very challenging. The trail follows the Waikato River, along high cliffs and back down to river level. It passes through fields, native bush, pine forests and beside dams and power stations. The trail surface has been well maintained with fresh metal in place for our visit. The gradient varies between flat boardwalks, to steep inclines and sharp corners. It is well signposted by blue markers. Distance 44.5kms. We rode the new 5kms section from Ohakuri Road to Atiamuri Village Carpark.
Continue readingThe Great Ride, Te Awa River Ride, is a 65kms trail that runs beside the Waikato River between Ngaruawahia in the north to Lake Karapiro in the south. It passes through Hamilton, Tamahere and Cambridge. The trail surface is mainly pavers and concrete north of Hamilton, and concrete and timber heading south. The gradient is a combination of flat, with gentle and steep undulations. Classified as Grades 1-3.
Continue readingThe Around the Mountains Cycle trail is located on the South Island. It starts at Kingston or Walter Peak. The 186kms takes in the remote Wilderness. More Information: Around the Mountains Cycle Trail.
In March 2023, 4 intrepid riders from the Ebike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group set off to conquer the trail. Here is their accouint.
Continue readingThe Ebike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group embarked on another tour, this time taking in the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in Rotorua and the Te Awa Trail in Cambridge/Hamilton. There were 32 riders. 4 planned rides. Unfortunately, the wet weather caused the cancellation of the 4th ride, the Hauraki Rail Trail from Paeroa to Waihi.
Continue readingOur last day in Ohakune and we decided that as the weather was still holding out, we could fit another eBike ride in. The Ohakune Road Loop including Ohakune Lake (Grade 2 distance 21kms Duration 1h 30m). For a change, not on trails. A road ride, some sealed and some gravel/shingle. We were advised to ride clockwise to make the most of the downhill and the views. Trail surface: very lumpy on the gravel road. Reward: stunning views of the rural countryside and the omnipresent Mount Ruapehu with it’s dusting of snow.
Continue readingThe 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 reading
Hawkes Bay Ebike Rides 