Easy Riding on New Zealands New Cycle Trail

Twenty new bicycle tracks offer the perfect way to explore New Zealands legendary landscapes.Twenty new bicycletrails offer the perfect way to explore New Zealands legendary landscapes.Collectivelyknown as the New Zealand Cycle Trail,these routes are multi-day but easily broken up into half- or day-longsections and most follow paths established by early indigenous and pioneersettlers, hence the official Maori name for the trails: Nga Haerenga, theJourneys.

New Zealandhas long been mountain bike mad. Over the last 25 years an increasing number ofdedicated cycle tracks and parks have sprung up in both town and country, manydeveloped by bike clubs and other community groups. Recreationalcycling was already on a roll, when in 2009 a 50 million New Zealand dollar governmentfund was established to create a continuous touring route running the length ofthe country, supported at a grass roots level by an additional 50 million NewZealand dollars offered up by councils and local organisations.

It soonbecame apparent, however, that building one continuous route across the twoislands was not only too ambitious, but it also would bypass many of the mostremote and interesting corners of the country. Restoring and extending historicpathways made more sense, enabling cyclists to visit fascinating historic andcultural sites while seeing natural wonders along the way, and inspiring bothlocals and people from overseas to ride them.The first sodof the new trails was turned by Prime Minister John Key in late 2009.

Sincethen, armed with machetes, shovels and diggers, some of the worlds bestsingle-track designers and builders have bush-bashed, benched, sidled andswitch-backed their way through a diverse range of terrain.By the endof 2012, 10 of the 20 trails were opento riders, with the remainder scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. The 2,340kmnetwork will be even further extended by already-established trails, such asthe renowned 71km Queen Charlotte Trackthat meanders through the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island.

Great RidesThe 20 newtrails have assumed the moniker Great Rides, building on the internationalreputation of the GreatWalks through New Zealands national parks. John Dunn, a manager on theCycle Trail project, is optimistic about their potential as a tourism earner.The numbers of international cyclists coming to New Zealand has doubled since2008, he said.

In terms of drawing people to New Zealand and showcasing someof the best scenery we have to offer, we expect the cycle trails to become asimportant as the Great Walks.The routes passthrough a variety of landscapes, from the North Islands central volcanicplateau and high-country grasslands, to ancient forests, farmed plains, rivervalleys, estuaries and coastal dunes, most following routes once frequented byrailway carriages, bush trams, loggers, miners and stock drovers. Along theway, information panels signal stopping points to learn a slice of history orsimply to admire a beautiful view.

At theNorth Islands thermal resort of Rotorua, the 74km Te Ara Ahi trailthreads through a rich vein of visitor attractions, including Maori villages,bubbling mud and natural hot pools. A couple of hours drive away, 100km northwestof Lake Taupo, the 85km TimberTrail heads through the peaceful Pureora Forest taking in several importantecological areas, old timber milling sites and super-sized swing bridges.Thediversity continues in the Nelson region at the top of the South Island.

Catering to hordes of holidaymakers attracted by its fine weather, the 158km Great Taste Trailloops around bucolic countryside dotted with fruit stalls, cafes and galleries.In the deep south, the 100km Queenstown Trail offermyriad itineraries through the peak-fringed Wakatipu Basin, complete with wineries,the pioneer gold mining settlement of Arrowtown and the historic Kawarau Bridge,where the worlds first commercial bungee jump still operates.The twolongest trails stretch from inland mountains to the coast.

The 312km Alps 2 Oceanpushes off from the foot of the countrys highest peak, 3,754m-high Aorangi/MtCook, through the South Islands big-sky Mackenzie Country and the WaitakiRiver Valleys surreal turquoise hydro-lakes. The 317km Mountains toSea Trail is the North Islands epic, which starts at the lively volcano ofMount Ruapehu and follows a section of old coach road across a 45m-highviaduct. Further along it wends along the densely forested banks of the WhanganuiRiver, with a break in the trail linked by canoe or a thrilling jetboat ride.

Easy riderAlthoughmany of the trails pass through wilderness areas, the majority are grade one totwo (very easy to easy), with smooth riding surfaces and gentle hill climbs.While some fitness is required, advanced riding skills are not. Getting onand off the trails is easy too, thanks to bike shops and other local businessesthat are cranking up their cycle-friendly services, such as rental, guiding andmechanics.

Specialist tour and transport operators are tackling bike, baggageand passenger transfers, while cycle racks are springing up outside cafes andcountry pubs. Accommodationproviders are also getting on board, most notably the holiday parks network whose Cycle Hubscheme provides trail information and secure storage as well as links to cyclehire, transport and mechanical support. Britz, a major campervan rentalcompany, now hires out bikes and racks that fit on the back of their vehicles.

Theofficial New Zealand Cycle Trailswebsite harnesses the details of all routes, plus supporting services and informationhubs. Veteranmountain biker Jonathan Kennett was recruited as a Cycle Trail adviser early on,and along with his brothers Simon and Paul has published the definitive guidebookto the routes ClassicNew Zealand Cycle Trails. Up untilthree years ago, the OtagoCentral Rail Trail was the only easy, multi-day cycling experience we had,Kennett said.

These new trails have transformed cycling holidays in NewZealand in that people people who dont consider themselves cyclists can get out and explore new territory. The bicycle is just a really goodvehicle, and thats why were seeing a whole bunch of new riders getting in onit.