10 of the best coastal bike rides. Washington. E-bikes available.Cycle Journeys is your full service provider for the Alps 2 Ocean and West Coast Wilderness Trails, backed by 25 years of cycle guiding. There’s an elegance and simplicity about a coast-to-coast, an essence of cycle touring. But what if you’re the only one of your friends that’s into riding bikes? While casual bike hire is generally is easy to arrange on the spot, it will pay to book bikes and any shuttles or tours in advance, particularly during peak season (December–March).Local and national bike tour companies also offer guided and other package trips on the West Coast Wilderness and other South Island trails, with Christchurch and Queenstown popular departure points.There are plenty of accommodation options along the trail.
West Coast Trail Bike Safaris is run by John and Georgina Staines (and their kids Noah & Mia). If you’d like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here’s the link – https://gcn.eu/43YPhotos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest and fastest-growing online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling. All in the name of "good sustenance", of course.Swim, surf, shop, explore, fish, hunt, chat, walk or choose an adventure activity for an off-track adrenaline rush. This means you can ride in comfort knowing you are not jeopardising the sustainability and future of the sport we … Beyond that, the trail soon reaches the main highway and follows it a short way to meet the historic Ross rail route.The old railway line is a long and strait haul, broken up with information panels and bridged creeks. The widest choice is in Greymouth and Hokitika, but there’s plenty more scattered in between – much of it in revitalised historic settlements or pretty rural surrounds. 3–5 hoursWith your guns slung, it’s time for the largely effortless sweep down towards the Arahura River. Showcasing some of the West Coast’s best scenery. 3–5 hoursAn excellent option for beginners and families, this particularly flat section of trail starts by crossing Hokitika Bridge, with the Southern Alps in full view up front.A few kilometres in, a signpost indicates West Coast Scenic Waterways where a boat cruise or kayak trip on Mahinapua Creek can be factored in before continuing onward through impressive forest to meet the intriguing Mananui Tramline that cuts through bush and a historic pocket of exotic forest. E-bikes are also permitted.Although the trail is well signposted and never far from main roads, carrying a map will enhance the experience by pinpointing landmarks and assist with timings for shuttle pick-ups, etc. An easy grade 2 ride, West Coast Wilderness Trail is wide and smooth most of the way and therefore suitable for riders from beginners upwards. Carrying onward, the subsequent Loopline Reservoir features a stone-face dam hand-laid in 1883 by gold miners.A sweeping boardwalk leads to a predominantly bush-lined gravel road section before the trail picks up old water races, logging trams and pack track up the Kawaka Valley, passing man-made dams and weirs. This New 4,000 Mile Trail Will Let People Bike From Coast to Coast on One Seamless Path (Video) this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Coast and Castles. There is virtually no coverage south of Kumara to Kaniere township.Toilets are located at convenient points along the trail.Lined with one of New Zealand’s most popular scenic drives and boasting several of its must-see attractions, the West Coast caters well to visitors all year round. The official The official West Coast Wilderness Trail guidebook offers comprehensive planning information along with deeper insight into the sights and scenery, suggested side trips, and other useful info. Ancient forests. Image: bedsforcyclists.co.uk. Riders can either return the same way or via the rural road through Rimu, or be collected by shuttle.Stretching between Hokitika and Ross, and equally enjoyable in either direction, this ride down the old Ross Railway Line conjures a bygone era when the railway was vital to the district's economy.