Dale Says

Are you looking for an international cycling adventure that is exhilarating yet realistic?  New Zealand’s Otago Central Rail Trail may be the answer.  This one-week tour is invigorating and unique – yet has relatively easy cycling, familiar language and culture, and enough creature comforts to make virtually anyone feel at ease.  It’s a good choice for couples, families, and anyone looking for excitement, good food, and beautiful scenery. 

New Zealand:  Safe, Clean, and Friendly 

New Zealand is a good vacation choice with a secure infrastructure, common language, similar customs and food, and familiar monetary system.  It’s also a clean, safe, and friendly country that welcomes tourists (especially Americans!).  And now, due to a favorable exchange rate, New Zealand is relatively inexpensive.   

It’s a long way to New Zealand, but easier with non-stop flights from the U.S.  Several airlines (e.g., Air New Zealand, Qantas, American, United, U.S. Airways, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Air Canada, British Airways) fly to New Zealand from San Francisco or Los Angeles, with flights of around 14 hours.  Overnight flights make the trip easier, since you fly (and sleep) during normal sleep time, and help you adjust once you get there.   

The closest airports to the Rail Trail are Christchurch and Queensland, and you will likely have to go through either Auckland or Sydney to get to one of those cities.  We flew United Airlines from San Francisco to Sydney, then Air New Zealand from Sydney to Christchurch.   

Otago Central Rail Trail:  A Good Cycling Choice     

The Otago Central Rail Trail is a good choice for beginners and more experienced cyclists.  It offers relatively easy cycling, an interesting historic perspective, the experience of riding a rail trail, and incredible views of charming country.   

The tour follows the path of the Otago Central Railroad, which linked Dunedin to the Otago gold mining area.  After the railroad closed in 1993, it was transformed into the Otago Central Rail Trail.  The train tracks were removed, a suitable gravel surface was put down, and all 68 bridges on the route were re-decked and equipped with handrails.  The Rail Trail officially opened to cyclists and walkers in February, 2000. 

Daily rides on the Rail Trail range from 15 – 37 miles, with optional rides for those who want to do more, and a comfortable van for those who want to do less.  The terrain is relatively flat, and everyone in decent cycling shape should be able to handle it. 

Adventure South:  A Well-Organized and Equipped Tour Company 

Our tour was fully-supported by Adventure South, which has been in the business since 1992.  They supplied a guide, support van, bike trailer, bikes, accommodation, and two meals per day.  Our equipment consisted of hybrid bikes with handlebar and rear bags, helmets, cyclometers, and water bottles.  It was very good (among the best we’ve had) and completely appropriate for the conditions.  

Louise Shillits, our guide, is experienced, capable, helpful, and friendly.  She has a great sense of timing and she kept us moving at a steady, comfortable pace throughout the trip.  Louise is well suited for her job, and she treated us with a wonderful mix of patience and respect.  She is hard-working (doing it all – from hoisting our bikes on and off the trailer to pointing out the flora and fauna and steering us to the best sights, restaurants and night spots.  One of her most delightful attributes (and there are many) is a knowledge of where the best coffee can be found along the route (we stopped at all of them). 

Louise is a strong cyclist and she rode with us whenever she could, taking turns riding with each of us, carrying the conversation, and pointing out highlights.  Although she did innumerable large and small things for us that week perhaps the best was helping us fight a headwind the last day, when she drove the support van to the end of the trail, cycled out and rode back to the finish line with each of us, encouraging us along the way.  For that, she has our eternal gratitude!