Where To Ride Bikes This Summer

It’s January 2024. You wake to the beautiful chorus of Korimako (Bellbirds). Moments later the tent you lay in begins to glow as the rising sun strikes the dew, settled from a calm and clear night. You emerge from your tent to a beautiful sight. You’re bikepacking through the Molesworth Muster Trail. And you couldn’t be happier.

Dreaming of summer in winter for us here a Bicycle Junction means it’s time to start making some plans. Typically, if you're in the bike industry you’re here because you love biking in some form or another. For many of us here it’s bike packing. Thus, we decided to ask each member of the team what their favourite bike packing routes are and why you might want to give them a try.

Grant recommends the Molesworth Muster Trail – “It’s remote and beautiful. I’d give it about a 3/5 in difficulty with one decent climb just past Molesworth Station. Heaps of campsites but if you’re feeling fancy there are a couple of lodges along the route. Hot tip – watch out for kia! They’ll steal ya boots!”

Bike - Surly Ogre

A 207km Grade 4 route from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs, this great trail takes on average 3-5 days to complete. We’d recommend starting from the northern end as the Hanmer Springs thermal pools are a real treat after a few long days in the saddle. Find out more here.

https://www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/heartland-rides/molesworth-muster-trail/

Meg recommends the Lake Dunstan Trail– “It’s the perfect day trip if you’re in Central Otago. Ride it on any bike or hire, the track is immaculately maintained, the boardwalk section is very cool, oh and there’s a floating café. Perfect for my fitness level”

Bike - Kona Process 134

Linking heritage towns of Cromwell and Clyde. The trail follows land shaped by gold miners and dam builders over the last two centuries. This trail is also part of the greater Otago Rail Trail. So, there’s the potential to turn this 1-day adventure in several!

https://www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/23-great-rides/lake-dunstan-trail/

Sam recommends the Timber Trail– “The Timber Trail is bike packing at it’s finest and most accessible. Choose your difficulty from full comfort by staying the night in the fully catered lodge or stick it out camping. We chose the lodge and did not regret. Ride this one with your family or a group of friends for an experience you won’t regret.

Bike - Surly Straggler. A drop bar gravel bike is for the brave on this one. We’d probably suggest an all-terrain bike like the Surly Karate Monkey or something with a bit of suspension.

https://www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/23-great-rides/timber-trail/

Greg recommends the Old Ghost Road– “The Old Ghost Road feels very remote, and the history you see and learn along the trail is fascinating. It’s a challenging ride, some sections feel as though you’re climbing for ages, but the views are remarkable. The descent was well worth the climb. It was a bit wet when I did it but it’s defnitely a route I'd want to do again”.

Bike - Genesis Fugio

Bicycle Junction recommends the Remutaka Rail Trail – It you’re wanting to find something more local to Wellington, the Remutaka Rail Trail via Pencarrow Lighthouse is a Junction favourite. Take the ferry over to Eastbourne in the morning, ride along the south coast until you get to corner creek campsite, stay there for the night then make your way to the Remutaka rail trail. Last we checked a portion of the route was closed but it’s worth keeping on your radar. Wild Horses, Seals and Pigs await you. Make sure you give Gordon the pig a scratch from us as you make your way up Western Lake Road.

https://www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/23-great-rides/remutaka-cycle-trail/