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@T_Unit
Was in NZ last month visiting my sister, went for a bike ride…
Started in Marahau just by the entrance to the Abel Tasman national park and followed the great taste trail (mostly) to St Arnaud. Then took the rainbow road to Hamner Springs, it was very lovely. Mostly on gravel and the few road bits were quiet back roads. Had a day off in Hamner to eat food and go to the hot springs. Wouldn’t go to the springs again as it was pretty pricy and I got a bit bored just sitting around in hot water but the water slides were good! Left Hamner via jollies pass - super steep - then joined the Molesworth road. This was 3 days of back country gravel through New Zealand’s largest farm. Camped at Acheron station and Molesworth station, both DOC campsites and the only places camping is allowed. Probably could get away with a wild camp if you sneaked off the main route. Molesworth to Seddon via the Awarere valley was incredibly hilly and hot and the gravel was pretty rough in places. The next day was Seddon to Blenheim via Redwood pass, more gravel and a nice quiet road. Took the main road to Picton, wasn’t too bad, will be better when the new cycle path is finished - currently only goes about a 3rd of the way. From Picton I took the queen Charlotte drive to Havelock then on to Pelorus. Have ridden this section previously and the views over the sound are incredible! From Pelorus it was the Maungatapu track over to Nelson. Steep and rocky - was a bit of a hike a bike, could’ve done with slightly fatter tyres than the 32mm I was running but that would require a new bike. From Nelson it was back on the great taste trail all the way to Marahau. Whole trip took 9 days and involved a lot of hills, several river swims, some wine, a dip in the sea, all the weather and some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever had the pleasure of cycling through. Highly recommended if anyone is looking for a mostly quiet road route on the South Island. I started from Marahau as that’s where I was staying but would probably be easiest to start from Nelson.
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