Anyway, this time we drove South to Otago – the only region in NZ with a continental climate, world-famous in NZ for its fruit and wine. 
They also had a gold rush and build a railway to haul out all the gold. Or rather the sheep that proved to be more profitable (“Home of your Icebreaker”). But as with all things that seemed like a good idea at the time the railway was abandoned in favour of car-traffic. Because we all know that cars are a much more sustainable mode of transport. Luckily the department of conservation decided to turn the former railway into a cycle track, against the better judgment of many locals who thought that putting more sheep on the track would definitely bring in more money.
As it turned out though, lots of people with money bring in their expensive bikes and cycle the trail, on the way leaving heaps of money for accommodation, lunch, dinner, and coffee and ice cream. Now everybody is happy, perhaps with the exception of the few sheep who escape from their paddock and freak out by all the cyclists happily yelling “baaah!” at them.
We got this very practical bike rack for the car. Although I much much prefer it over the racks on top of your car, it is always slightly scary to have bikes hanging from your car
Otago is known for its crisp sunny climate, and we were not disappointed (it is also known for fierce gales later in the season, which, as we learned, blew away some early post offices and other dwellings).
We had consciously decided to do the trail in autumn, to enjoy the bright yellow leaves of (introduced, exotic, evil) poplar and willow trees.
The trail itself is an endless source of information on the railway, the gold mining, flora and fauna and other interesting details, so that you are constantly entertained. The little towns on the way are cute and it feels as if you’re 100 years back in time. You only pass sleepy towns and small country roads, so for 3 days we were in cycle heaven. Being on your bike the whole day, sun in your face and fresh air all around is such a lovely experience.
We stayed at 2 B&B’s on the way, the first in an old mill-house, the second in an old miner’s cottage. Both very characteristic and picturesque.
At the end of the trail we were driven back to our car at the beginning of the trail by a company that puts everybody and their bikes in/on a bus and in 2 hours you’re back where you started. We drove back home the next day, after having bought 12 bottles of our favourite Otago fruit juice and a box of plums.
They also had a gold rush and build a railway to haul out all the gold. Or rather the sheep that proved to be more profitable (“Home of your Icebreaker”). But as with all things that seemed like a good idea at the time the railway was abandoned in favour of car-traffic. Because we all know that cars are a much more sustainable mode of transport. Luckily the department of conservation decided to turn the former railway into a cycle track, against the better judgment of many locals who thought that putting more sheep on the track would definitely bring in more money.
As it turned out though, lots of people with money bring in their expensive bikes and cycle the trail, on the way leaving heaps of money for accommodation, lunch, dinner, and coffee and ice cream. Now everybody is happy, perhaps with the exception of the few sheep who escape from their paddock and freak out by all the cyclists happily yelling “baaah!” at them.
We drove to Clyde, taking our time, and mounted our bikes the next morning for the 150 km trail, to be completed in 3 days (which is on average really fast, most people take 4 or 5 days to enjoy the trail to the fullest).
We got this very practical bike rack for the car. Although I much much prefer it over the racks on top of your car, it is always slightly scary to have bikes hanging from your carOtago is known for its crisp sunny climate, and we were not disappointed (it is also known for fierce gales later in the season, which, as we learned, blew away some early post offices and other dwellings).
We had consciously decided to do the trail in autumn, to enjoy the bright yellow leaves of (introduced, exotic, evil) poplar and willow trees.
The trail itself is an endless source of information on the railway, the gold mining, flora and fauna and other interesting details, so that you are constantly entertained. The little towns on the way are cute and it feels as if you’re 100 years back in time. You only pass sleepy towns and small country roads, so for 3 days we were in cycle heaven. Being on your bike the whole day, sun in your face and fresh air all around is such a lovely experience.
We stayed at 2 B&B’s on the way, the first in an old mill-house, the second in an old miner’s cottage. Both very characteristic and picturesque.
At the end of the trail we were driven back to our car at the beginning of the trail by a company that puts everybody and their bikes in/on a bus and in 2 hours you’re back where you started. We drove back home the next day, after having bought 12 bottles of our favourite Otago fruit juice and a box of plums.
