CYCLE THE OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL 2012 Season
Two “Standard” trips. + Two “Special trips”
The
Otago Central Rail Trail follows the former Otago Central Branch Railway line
from Middlemarch to Clyde. This 160km section of the former line was developed by
DOC as a recreational facility for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It took
6 years of development and about a $1,000,000 to upgrade the closed railway to
its current standard. The Rail trail is now a unique recreational facility
within New Zealand, passing through the heartland of Central Otago, with its
singularly spectacular scenery and climate. It has also preserved, largely
intact, an important part of Otago’s history.
The Trail, though by no means dead flat, has no steep hills, and a big plus is the
fact that it is entirely free from motorised traffic, making it pretty safe.
The surface is similar to a gravel road, at times smooth, and at times a little
rough, passes through tunnels, over viaducts and impressive cuttings. Cycling
the Maniototo is a unique experience.
We have run these trips for the past 10 seasons, and they have been extremely successful. People are impressed with the vastness, the beauty and remoteness of Central Otago, the sense of history , and so far all have completed the journey relatively unscathed. (Except for the odd sore B-Ms & some Gravel Rash)
Itinerary - Standard Trip
We will travel by the famous Taieri
Gorge Excursion Train, from Dunedin to Pukerangi on
the first day, (departing at 2pm), cycle a short
distance (12km), to Sutton, where we stay at the Otago Youth Adventure Trust
Camp on the first night. Next day we will cycle to Ranfurly
(some 70km), where we stay at the Motor Camp, and the following day to Omakau (56km), where we have Backpacker and Hotel
accommodation, and on the last day to Clyde (40km), where we will have
transport available to take us and our gear and bikes back to Dunedin. All
meals, including lunches are provided
Itinerary - Standard Trip + Special
Same as the standard trip but will include an extra day, on which we will cycle 12 km to Naseby (after our night’s stay at Ranfurly). Here you can experience mountain biking on various trails in the Naseby forest, from easy to demanding, or simply have a rest day. Also available for those interested is indoor ice skating and curling (your own cost), and a chance to look round this historic iconic settlement. We stay overnight at Naseby, and resume our journey on the rail trail the next day. All meals, are provided
On both the
Standard and Special trips We will have “Back up Team” looking after us, all
our gear will be carried between stops, and anyone in difficulties can probably
get assistance from the back up vehicles.There
will also be 2-3 Leaders, cycling with the group, who will give low key
assistance, if needed.
Naturally you will need a good quality mountain bike. We can hire very good bikes and helmets at a cost of about $140 for the Stand Trip or $170 for the Special trip. For those that may require them, you can leave that to us to organise.
Dates
February 9 - 12 (Thursday- Sunday) 2012 STANDARD TRIP
February 22-26 (Wednesday - Sunday) 2012 SPECIAL TRIP
March 7 – 11 (Wednesday –
Sunday) 2012 SPECIAL TRIP
March 29 – April 1 (Thursday – Sunday)
2012 STANDARD TTRIP
MANY TRIPS FILL UP RAPIDLY, IT’S A CASE OF “FIRST IN FIRST SERVED”