NZ cycling holidays: Top tips for biking in Blenheim
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Loading... - Freya Darren
- 16 May 2022
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ELEVATOR PITCH
Growing up in Blenheim, the only bike I owned was one of those hand-me-down, cobbled together jobs with one gear and a bad attitude. But when my older sister bought a sexy new 10-speed to commute to her job at the lingerie factory, I sensed there could be more to biking than just getting to school, marching practice or the Saturday night roller disco.
Too true, it turns out. My own obsession with the mode has been happily matched by a nationwide boom in biking that even Marlborough is getting in on. The region's official visitor guide promises "an abundance of acclaimed mountain and road trails", then lists 28 rides from Molesworth to D'Urville Island.
Most of these, however, are challenging rides in hard-to-reach places. Key to connecting them is the Whale Trail, the 210km Picton to KaikÅura cycleway under construction. Various sections are already rideable, with work progressing on vital links such as the Wairau River Bridge clip-on, and from there to Picton (build scheduled to start late this year).
Dr John Forrest, winery owner and project champion, says the Whale Trail will be the backbone of Marlborough's cycling network. "It has the potential to be one of New Zealand's most successful trails, not only as a blue-ribbon tourist attraction but as a connector for our coastal communities," he says.
THE LAY OF THE LAND
Blenheim appears as flat as a pancake on the lower Wairau Plains. In fact, it slopes gently upwards as it meets the Wither Hills. The Taylor River cuts a path around and through town, where it joins the ÅŒpaoa River winds to Cloudy Bay.
Blenheim's handful of town attractions can all be reached by bike. Several bike shops offer hire.
Other attractions are a longer bike ride or car ride away; the wineries, Wairau Lagoons and other seaside sights. Significant trails such as the Queen Charlotte and Nydia tracks are closer to Picton, which is a whole different story altogether.
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GETTING YOUR BEARINGS
While the rides listed in the Marlborough Visitor Guide aren't well described or mapped in print or online, there's enough info to get a handle on what and where.
It's worth seeking out the free, glossy maps for Blenheim, the Wairau Plains (i.e. wineries), and Wither Hills Farm Park, which detail walking and cycling trails. The Wairau Plains one helpfully features a series of on-road cycle routes making the most of flat and mostly quiet rural roads.
A TOWN TOUR
Winding 5km from town to the Wither Hills, the Taylor River Trail traverses a heroic riverside reserve complete with friendly locals, romping dogs, riotous California poppies and sundry public improvements. Funnily enough, I never saw this potential back in the day. It was all a bit scrappy and spooky, and frequented by underage smokers, drinkers and canoodlers. Or so I have heard.
The partially paved, flat trail follows both sides of the river. A series of bridges enable loops of varying lengths, or you can follow it all the way to the Taylor Dam Reserve, a leafy spot for a picnic.
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A side track leads to Wither Hills Farm Park, Blenheim's beloved recreation reserve threaded with super-scenic biking and walking trails. Its highpoints afford stupendous views across the Wairau Valley and Cook Strait.
The essential ride is the Stockyard and Rifle Range combo, two connecting, gently undulating trails tracing the foothills. Singletrack fans should detour into the ever-improving Wither Hills Mountain Bike Park, my happy place. All the Wither Hills trails are glorious in the late afternoon light. Read More…
