#Otago Rail Trail

[jontycrane]

Central Otago Rail Trail - Waipiata to Middlemarch

The third and final day cycling the Central Otago Rail Trail, a former railway line turned into a ~150km cycle trail. This was the shortest day time wise, if similar distance to the previous days, as it was pretty much all downhill to Middlemarch. After a scorching hot first day, and damp second day, day three had perfect weather, blue skies but not too hot. It was a misty start in Waipiata but…

[jessicatheearthling]

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

Mishaps you’ll never forget!

He doesn't need any more rehabilitation for his knee. He had a motorcycle mishap 🏍️ in Scotland in December 2021 before his trip to New Zealand when he tore his MCL and fractured his knee, receiving stitches and leaving a scar.

In Pharos’ picture in L.A. January 2022 (a month after the accident and supposedly in rehab) before New Zealand it’s shown he’s trying to stand up with flexed knees, but he has problems in both legs.

I couldn't get a full view of his left knee up close, during HYROX in Glasgow last February 2023 the first impression of him was a lack of mobility, trying to extend his left knee during the pushup. HYROX’s image is not clear but it shows that he has a hypertrophic scar, a thick scar, in response to his wounds.

But now, with the long-awaited photos from New Zealand, we see more details of the injury he left behind and that he has been hiding all this time. It looks like it was more than a small abrasion from falling on the pavement, leaving a big scar. This is a scar from trauma such as cruciate ligament restoration/reset, falls, femoral MCL incisions, surgical incisions and stitches. This is no small thing for a motorcycle accident 🏍️

He always appeared from the waist up, sitting in front of the camera, or wearing an essential tracksuit, as he did on his cycling in Otago Central Rail Trail. 🇳🇿

His problem seemed to be more serious 🧐 than mentioned at the beginning, and took months to recover, due to the severity of the injury.

I'm more interested in seeing the post-crash motorbike 🏍️ (that he hasn't shown in two years) helmet and motorbike clothing, to understand in retrospect his accident, remembering he had to follow Scotland's mandatory safety rules riding a street bike, a mountain bike or a motorcycle (motorbike)

Why did he need to customise his Triumph motorcycle if he already had a previously customised Harley-Davidson?

It doesn't matter how much riding experience you have (he’s an inexperienced rider) accidents happen. But you can’t forget what happened.

[lalupahandbags]

The Kiwi Craze for Bags: A Glimpse into New Zealand's Bag Culture

Introduction

New Zealand, often referred to as the Land of the Long White Cloud, is known for its stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant culture. However, one aspect of Kiwi life that often goes unnoticed is the nation's love affair with bags. From the iconic jute shopping bags to the traditional Māori kete, bags in New Zealand hold a special place in the hearts of its people. In this blog, we'll delve into the fascinating world of bags in NZ and explore their significance in this beautiful country.

Jute Shopping Bags: The Kiwi Icon

One of the most recognizable symbols of New Zealand's bag culture is the humble jute shopping bag. These eco-friendly bags have become synonymous with grocery shopping in the country. Supermarkets across NZ offer jute bags as a sustainable alternative to plastic bags, and many Kiwis can be seen carrying them while doing their weekly shopping.

The popularity of jute bags in New Zealand is a testament to the nation's commitment to environmental sustainability. These bags are not only durable and reusable but also biodegradable, making them an excellent choice for eco-conscious shoppers.

The Māori Kete: A Cultural Treasure

While jute bags may dominate the modern shopping scene, the traditional Māori kete holds immense cultural significance in New Zealand. The Māori people, the indigenous population of Aotearoa (New Zealand), have been creating and using kete for centuries.

Kete are woven baskets or bags made from flax leaves, and they come in various sizes and shapes. They are used for a wide range of purposes, including carrying food, tools, and personal belongings. Each kete is a work of art, often featuring intricate weaving patterns and designs that reflect the Māori culture and heritage.

These beautiful bags are more than just functional items; they are a symbol of Māori identity and craftsmanship. Many contemporary Māori artists continue to create kete, preserving this traditional art form and ensuring that it remains a vital part of New Zealand's cultural fabric.

Kiwi Fashion and Designer Bags

New Zealand has a burgeoning fashion industry, and Kiwi designers are making their mark on the global stage. Bags, as essential fashion accessories, play a significant role in this industry. Local designers create a wide range of bags, from stylish handbags to practical backpacks and everything in between.

Kiwi fashion is often influenced by the country's natural beauty, and you'll find many bags adorned with designs inspired by native flora and fauna. Additionally, New Zealand's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the materials used by these designers, with many opting for eco-friendly and locally sourced materials.

Outdoor Adventure Bags

New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it's hiking in the Southern Alps, kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds, or cycling the Otago Rail Trail, Kiwis love their outdoor adventures. As a result, bags designed for outdoor activities are in high demand.

Specialized backpacks, dry bags, and hiking packs are popular among those who seek adventure in the great outdoors. These bags are designed to withstand the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather that New Zealand has to offer, making them essential companions for any outdoor excursion.

[fox-trotting]

[roaradventures]

110 m long Manuherikia Bridge No. 1 - South Island, New Zealand

Ride it on the Otago Rail Trail Bike Tour → https://roar.tours/2kpHRQt

📷 @otagorailtrail

[roswellroamer]

Day 5. February 3, 2020. Naseby to Dunedin. 152kms.

The Naseby Lodge is (apparently) at 2,000' elevation. I surmised this not with the aid of my iPhone's compass or GPS apps but due to the name of the restaurant just outside my front door. With us taking two out of the six metal buildings that comprise this motel, opening the restaurant wasn't worthwhile but we enjoyed the local hospitality at the Royal Hotel. Just a short walk as the whole town is only about 6 blocks long. Again I was struck by the serenity of the morning. Birds were all you can hear. No vehicles. We loaded up the bikes and decided to take a slightly longer but more scenic route to Dunedin today. We fortunately had a short 150k ride but of course we did have the Super Bowl to watch. In addition to the short day, we were aiming for a real city. One sure to have sports bars since it has been difficult to see some sports I had tried to watch recently. There are loads of rugby and cricket games on the TV though! We wound south from Naseby to the town which usurped its railroad line, Ranfurly. We found the cafe and enjoyed the townsfolk and I had some salmon benedict. 👍

From Ranfurly we encountered some beautiful cloud formations as we left blue sky to see the effects of distant rain forming rainbows for the second day in a row. One of the pics I hope to post soon will reveal on inspection a nearly horizontal rainbow band sitting atop an illuminated mountain ridge line. We also took some too good to be true shots of sheep in a sunlit field with both blue sky and dark clouds providing a remarkable contrast and scene. Sunlit mountains prompted a few stops today. We really enjoyed route 87 as it wound up and down and sideways for over an hour with hardly any traffic to spoil the view. We followed the Otago rails to trails route for much of that leg. We passed the Macraes gold mine on Macraes flat and also the "towns" of Kyeburn, Hyde and Middlemarch. As we approached the coast we encountered a dense fog bank and the temp quickly dropped from 27°C down to 16°C (80-60°F). Saw steady sheep farms for the entire ride. The fog escorted us to the coastal road 1 and then all of a sudden we were in the outskirts of a surprisingly large city, Dunedin. (pronounced Dunn-Eden). I had no idea that this city would be so large. It seemed bigger than CHC even though population figures have it at 10% the size. It feels much larger. We found our Victoria Hotel in center city just two blocks from the Octagon which is the heart of Dunedin's touristy center city. It turns out there is an annual Masters Games event here. 5,000 contestants in 60 sports compete each year in NZ's longest running multi-sport competition. We met soccer and netball teams sporting their newly earned medals around their necks. Even years find the games here in Dunedin while odd years have the games located on the North Island in Whanganui.

We had a Google assist to find a good spot to watch the Super Bowl and I settled in to the Bog with a beer and their Super Bowl special nachos. What a great game! Happy to see KC once again come back in a thrilling game. JLo and Shakira weren't too bad either. After a brief return to the hotel we found a Japanese restaurant and sat outside enjoying some sushi as the steady stream of folks plied the streets of the Octagon. We then may have had nightcap(s) at Vault 21 and the Dunedin Social Club. They were also showing the Elton John movie "Rocketman" on a temporary stage. Nice atmosphere here and despite a light intermittent mist nobody seemed to have their spirits dampened. Looks wet tomorrow but so far it's been a great ride and we're continuing south in the AM.

[maka-auf-reisen]

Tag 10 Moeraki (61 km, 107 hm)

Heute ging es zur 2.Etappe auf dem Otago Rail Trail von Ranfurly nach Middlemarch, 61 km fast nur bergab 👍😅 Da wir früh losgefahren sind, waren die Temperaturen angenehm und wir konnten die wunderschöne Landschaft genießen. Es war bisher die schönste Tour durch Schluchten, immer am Fluss entlang, mit zahlreichen Viadukten, einem gut erhaltenen alten Bahnhof in Hyde und auch der Tunnel durfte nicht fehlen (Nachdem gestern alle munter drauf losgefahren sind, waren wir diesmal schlauer und haben die Sonnenbrillen und Helme erstmal in Ruhe abgesetzt, dann Stirnlampe auf und in Ruhe geschoben 😜) Nach 40 km hatte Matthias mal wieder einen Plattfuß (ein frecher spitzer Stein hatte sich durch den Mantel gebohrt), Adrian war mit seinem Flickzeug fix dabei und los ging die wilde Hatz, dem Rest der Meute hinterher, schließlich wartete in 30 km das Futter😂 Frisch gestärkt ging es dann mit dem Bus und Klimaanlage (inzwischen waren 31 Grad) über Dunedin mit dem schönsten Gebäude Neuseelands - einem Bahnhof - Richtung Moeraki, wo wir unsere Ferienhäuser direkt Südpazifik bezogen haben. Zum Duschen blieb noch keine Zeit, eingestaubt, wie wir waren, fuhren wir noch ca. 3 km an den Küstenrand, um Seelöwen und Gelbaugen-Pinguine zu sehen. Letztere waren zugut getarnt bzw. hatten keine Lust auf Besuch, wir haben sie nicht entdeckt, dafür haben sich jede Menge Seelöwen in der Sonne geaalt 😄

[jontycrane]

Central Otago Rail Trail - Clyde to Lauder

One of the great tourism successes in New Zealand of recent decades, the Central Otago Rail Trail turned an abandoned railway line into an easy 3-4 day cycle ride that attracts ~14,000 people a year, and supports hundreds of jobs in a relatively remote part of the country. Opened in 2000, more than a decade after the railway line closed, it was the model for the now many New Zealand Great…

[easyfications]

This time last week we have finished the Otago Trail and we’re drinking pints waiting to be picked up and dropped off in Dunedin. This was my last official NZ adventure. Cryyyyy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #newzealandlife #kiwiadventure #iamspecialized #otagorailtrail #otagobiketrail #natureisdope #roadslikethese #treesarefriends #centralotagonz #visitnewzealand #bikingadventures #theroadishome #nzbiketrails #outsideisfree #thistimelastweek (at Otago Central Rail Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VqkzUnVHe/?igshid=1wx31q0y5kv2n

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

Everything suggest, He’s Cycling 🚴‍♀️ in Otago Central Rail Trail, the oldest rail-trail in the country and voted 'New Zealand's Favourite Ride' for the past two years a trail built specifically to cater to cyclists.

Today New Zealand has become a cycling Mecca thanks to its excellent infrastructure of cycling through the spectacular landscapes. And it all started with the gold rush of 1861.

Relics of the gold rush era adorn the trail: restored turn-of-the-century buildings, iconic railway stations and corrugated iron ganger’s huts, pitch-black tunnels, and imposing historic viaduct's.

The first of two tunnels cut through schist rock in the Poolburn Gorge section of the trail.

The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 152km cycle trail traversing the open plains of Central Otago between Clyde and Middlemarch or walking and horse riding track on the South Island of New Zealand.

It’s all about taking your time.

Maybe his photo is a lantergram when Graham recorded his cameo from Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown last week. The distance is more appropriate between Queenstown to Otago Rail Trail than Invergarvill to Otago Rail Trail.

Starting in Clyde and ending in Middlemarch, or going the other way, you can be enjoyed over multiple days or a weekend staying at wonderful B&Bs, lodges and pubs each night – shuttles can take your luggage – or as a day trip taking in a smaller portion of the trail, but he just must allow himself enough time, that he has not because he’s shootings MiK2.

The Rail Trail’s proximity to Central Otago’s main highways makes it easy to jump on and off for day rides, including return rides reducing the need for pre-planned transport. Conveniently located bike hire, make logistics a breeze. And in his case, he does not need to do the Tour de France or aspire to it.

The bicycle is an Avanti competitor mountain bike ( despite he never mentions an interest in Mountain bike racing competition 🚴‍♀️ 🤷) the brand became a household name in New Zealand, providing bikes for the country's Olympic athletes and sponsoring the 'Avantidrome', the National Cycling Centre of Excellence velodrome in Cambridge (NZ). The Home of Cycling – is a world-class velodrome connected to facilities for BMX, road and mountain biking.

$1,599 (New Zealand dollar) = £ 782

Avanti Bikes is a company distributes bicycles to many countries within Oceania, Asia and Europe.

* Thank you Anon for the chat 💬 😉💙

[taiter42]

Central Otago rail trail. South Island New Zealand

[roaradventures]

Experience the Otago Rail Trail and local wineries

Central Otago Luxury E-Bike And Wine Tour → https://roar.tours/2CCkA3x

[monotremeineurope]

Tues 03 Dec - Clyde-Omakau

Rained all night, very wet. Got up at 7 and was ready to go by 0820. After dropping key off and getting diesel, we headed towards Clyde from Lake Hawea. As we got there closer the rain stayed on the range and it was very pleasant by the time we got to Clyde Station. We met up with SheBikesHeBikes and got organised. After briefing we were off about 1100.

We take the river trail to Alexandra which lovely and much fun (13km).  Have lunch at Courthouse Cafe. Then we start on Otago Rail Trail proper at 1300. A woman heading towards Alexandra was the only other person we see on the track. We begin to go uphill and into a very strong headwind, but no rain. Cathy gets blown of her bike and hurts her wrist. Becomes very hard work but the section down into Omakau is easier and we get there at 1730 after 44 km for the day. We are in the lovely Post Masters House which is really good. DCM has to go and get bike swapped after problem with handlebars. Holly, Cam & I go onto the spa bath. Have dinner at the Commercial Hotel in Omakau. Everyone to bed pretty early.