20/05/2025
N E W Z E A L A N D
Cycling Adventure - Otago Central Rail Trail.
The Trail is a 152 kilometre ride or walk that follows the former
Otago Central railway line between Clyde and Middlemarch. The
gravelled trail has a gentle gradient of 1:50 making it ideal for
recreational cyclists and walkers. Recommended time to ride is 4-5
days, we only had 3 days spare, so with thanks to Bike It Now Clyde, a
couple of days' notice was all that was needed for them to put a last
minute itinerary together, we were to do approx 50kms per day on
Merida Big 9 Hardtails.
Our first day from Clyde to Lauder started easily enough, with us
opting to take the 12kms alternate ride along the Clutha River (rail
trail route 8kms), it was a lovely flowing single track through
gorgeous autumnal colors. From here we reached Alexandra and boom, a
perfect constant headwind, with not even any relief as a side wind at
times. Coffee, coke and a pint at the Chatto Creek Pub prepared us for
the last push into the wind to our B&B for the night, Lauder
Schoolhouse B&B, followed by a meal reservation at the Lauder Pub,
just over the road.
Day 2 saw us off as the sun was rising, to see if we could avoid some
winds, alas, no. Long, long, rail stretches into that wind had us
going at a very slow pace with occasional stops to walk, moan and
bitch about wind, oh and also admire the scenery, we had to keep
remembering to look up to take it all in, it was gorgeous. This day
also saw us reach the peak of the trail at just 618m, get a tailwind
and start the downhill, definitely my favourite part of the trail to
do from a 7kph pace to 25-30kph pace was a delight. The evening was
spent at the utterly charming Waipiata Motel with Jen the host showing
us her ducks and having afternoon tea ready for our arrival. Each room
has been individually styled with a Scandinavian "hygge" of tasteful,
cosy comfort in mind. Attention to detail is here, from the gorgeous
fluffy duvets to crunchy cotton bedlinen, woollen blankets, sheepskin
rugs, specially-chosen pieces of pottery and comfortable occasional
chairs, and wonderful books sharing the stories of many of the great,
pioneering Otago farming families.Dinner at the Waipiata Country Hotel
would have been one of the best meals in NZ, people come from all over
to this little pub in the middle of nowhere for the home made pies on
offer, they are huge (half a kilo), with many fillings to choose from,
what started out as a small operation, he now serves over 2000 pies
per week! The local pub dogs watched on as I devoured a black beer,
beef and aged Airedale cheese, whilst Andre had a huge rib-eye steak.
Day 3 was always one to look forward to, due to the gentle downhill
nature, an overnight change may have gotten rid of the winds, but it
brought 5 degree temperatures and rain, rain, rain. We've had a few
miserable days on the bike in the past, but this was certainly a
topper. BUT the scenery was still lovely, the riding easy, just
incredibly wet, cold and muddy. Taking my mind to other places and
thanking my days in the gym, my feet all but disappeared to all
feelings, my hands were red raw and we paced well through the 52kms,
doing it in just under 4 hours to finally reach Middlemarch, a warm
shower hot Milo and 2 hour transfer back to the campervan in Clyde.
Should you do the Otago Central Rail Trail?
Yes.
Most people we saw riding (and not many as the season was not peak)
were doing it on e-bikes, people of all ages. Very much possible on
the hardtails we had, the cycling itself was not hard, just the
conditions we encountered. I'd avoid peak summer, as there is not
really any shade, if you get a 4 day window of clear, cool days and no
wind, it's a beautiful ride. I'd recommend 4 days as opposed to 5 too.
Contact me for all of your NZ Adventure activities, happy to help and
worth with local operators to put together multi-day ride, walks and
any NZ itinerary you are looking for.
