Organiser and Leader: Athol
Cyclists: Athol Berry, Erica Gilchrist,Bill Peplar,Christine Lawson,June Cripps ,Matthew Crozier, Bill and Wendy Clow,Catherine Doyle,Kaye Willcocks,Paul Cook,Sarah Ley,Simon Bucherer,Louise Sinclair,Rebecca Heap
Day 1: Saturday 7 March 2026 – Ohakune Loop via Raetihi and Old Coach Rd. 48.7km Climb: 610m
Author: Sarah
The first day of the tour took us through a diverse landscape, including stretches of farmland and areas of native bush. The route included sections of gravel road, some of it corrugated as well. Upon reaching Old Coach Rd, we encountered patches of old cobblestones scattered along the rutted surface, which required careful attention as we went. Brief glimpses of Ruapehu could be seen in the distance.
Our first stop was in Raetihi, where we enjoyed a coffee break at “Angel Louise” and some excellent baked treats! While the town was once bustling, it now feels rather forlorn, with little open other than a coffee shop and an adjacent information and gift shop. We took the opportunity to explore the backstreets with a short detour before continuing our journey towards Horopito for lunch
Horopito proved to be a fascinating stop, with its collection of old machinery and a museum. We relaxed on the grass outside the buildings, alongside an old rusting tractor, watching people come and go before setting off again.
Back on our bikes, we retraced our path along Old Coach Rd, riding through more native bush and discovering intriguing rusting relics such as viaducts. Signage suggested we “take a journey back in time”. Some of us took time to explore or ride on these impressive steel structures, while others simply marvelled at the challenge of constructing them in an era when health and safety standards were very different from today.
Our final stop before returning to Ohakune was at The Powderkeg, a building that always impresses with its massive timber logs forming the exterior walls. A cold beer here was a perfect way to conclude the day’s ride.
Day 2. Sunday March 8 Ohakune to Taihape.
Author: Rebecca
The day dawned slightly overcast and was a perfect cycling temperature. Athol had had the foresight and wisdom to book a shuttle to take us the first 18km to avoid riding on State Highway 49. The bikes were loaded and unloaded amazingly quickly thanks to a clever system using old inner tubes as bungees and we started off on Whangaehu Valley Road
The first part of the ride was on seal and then we turned onto recently graded gravel which was fairly technical and challenging for some of us. Mid-morning we caught up with Erica who had been driving the ute and was well equipped with our thermoses and some of her delicious homemade peanut brownies which was exactly the sustenance we needed.
After adjusting tyre pressures we rode a few more kilometres on the slippery gravel and were rather pleased to get to the Whanganui district boundary where the road had not been graded so it was much easier to navigate.
During the morning the sun came out and the scenery was absolutely stunning bathed in that beautiful early autumn light. We stopped along the way a couple of times for some foraging ably lead by Kay and of course had the regulation pineapple lump break too.
The last part of the ride was down SH 1 into Taihape where we stayed in a very nostalgic feeling motel which took us back to the 70’s. It was quiet and clean and in a great location close to town and a very short walk from the New World where we could do provisioning for the next few days. In the evening we all enjoyed a really nice Chinese dinner at the local eatery.
Day 3 – Taihape to Maerenui
Author: Wendy
14 happy cyclist left Taihape for Maerenui lodge. We did a quick sprint along SH 1 to Gorge road, where the trusty support vehicle was parked to show us the road. We carried on along the road to head iup for the first long climb. Once at top the views were worth it. And after a good climb there is always a great down hill. Morning tea, curtesy of Erica and the support vehicle, were waiting at clearing over the bridge of the Anduin river from the Lord of the rings. There were rafters going down the river, which was a long way down.
After leaving, we hit the first of the gravel roads, newly graded. Head up gravel roads to the boundary line then it was back to normal gravel, much easier riding. Lessons were taught on deflating tyres, and adjusting shocks, to cope with the gravel surfaces. Onwards and upwards we went. Every corner, every hill climb, gave us spectacular scenery. Lunch was had at the side of the river. Then an afternoon tea stop at the Awastone cafe, before the final 5 kms to our lodge and accomodation for the night
Our meal that night was organised by Erica, and we all chipped in with help. Rebecca, produced mull wine, and served it in personalised wine glasses, created by her. Big thanks to Athol and Erica, we looked forward to the next one
Day 4. 9th March. 40km, 619 total elevations, 4 big climbs
Author: Catherine
Mairenui Lodge consisted of 3 separate buildings, the old homestead well over 100 years old and still looking very original, the family home and for Kaye and myself, the architecturally designed 1980’s ‘Retreat’ – a hand crafted home with shades of aHobbitville cozy vibe sited amongst a magnificent kahikatea forest, complete with a pair of kereru, noisy tui and numerous friendly piwakawaka. A guided morning tour was a must see for fellow cyclists.
The morning riders headed up a huge hill revealing wonderful views and look at a deeply gorged river that had created a ‘dress circle’ embankment. Another slightly overcast windless morning had us whizzing along some long stretched out flats that were bordered by massively laden blackberry bushes. They were a huge distraction and time waster with enough berries not only for a roadside breakfast feast but plastic bags were filled to the brim for later consumption.
The morning tea cake and thermos stop was shared with a very grateful TA pair, a father and daughter from AKL. Note the absolute joy on her face as she receives Erica’s delicious peanut brownie. It was probably our most overcast drizzly cooler stop so the coffee also went down well. After the mandatory inspection of the TA’s bikes we found they both had no gears and he had this unusual bulldozer looking belt chain (no electric motors as well of course )
Anyway onwards, upwards and downwards (crossing numerous one way bridges over ginormous river gorges) and of course up again across beautiful rolling country and flats. Lunch had us settled on a mown verge. A farmers’ lovely mown driveway entrance. It was a shorter mileage day today so plenty of time to loll in the sun and cheer on more TA riders, while conversing with the obliging farmers. A lesson in animal husbandry by the wife feeding her beloved Charolais calves a bit of hay (I’m not sure if I heard correctly but I got the feeling she wasn’t growing them to eat them ???)
Then downhill towards Apiti, a toilet stop and the promise of a dreaded 7km end of day push for the finish line – an uphill headwind gravel stretch… WHAT ???…Joy of joy All the projections were completely off the mark.The best gravel I’ve ever had the fortune to bike on – sealed, rolling downhill and smooth as.
At Makoura Lodge our home was a lovely restored farm house. Before we dived into Erica’s lovely dehydrated,I kid you not, spag bolognese followed by coconut panna cotta and supplemented with foraged stewed pears and apples and freshly picked blackberries, we were enticed down to the ‘Lodge’ for a pre dinner wine and beer AND chips. Who could resist? You certainly don’t starve on Athol’s bike trips !!!!
Day 5 – Wednesday 11th March – 58km
Author: Christine
We left Makoura Lodge, Glenluce House Farmstay at 8.50am after breakfast, and packing the support vehicle. It wasn’t long (approx. 6km) until we hit gravel on Makoura Road.
We stopped for our safety on the roadside to let stock trucks go by, we saw them loading stock onto these huge truck & trailers. Sheep were also being driven along the road, thankfully after we’d ridden through, to the stock yards for loading.
After we’d ridden 8km we had a well organised morning tea stop with portable table, flasks and home baking. Very yummy.
Onwards we road, stopping at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Parish Church, Komako which was established in 1926. We did a tour of the grounds and inside the church, a wooden interior, with stained glass windows.
Another interesting stop was a memorial toadstool & gnomes to a lady who was an avid gardener, crafter and a gnomeologist!
Back on our bikes a few kilometres we came to stop/go lights, where they were clearing a fallen tree after a slip. When we got to the top of the hill opposite Awahou School we took a break for lunch. A few kilometres up the road we stopped to let everyone catchup when we got talking to a farmer, his wife came out with an armful of hay and asked if we would like to see their Sharalee calves.
The highlight today was cycling the Te Apiti, Manawatu George Recreational Track, which is 11.2km long, it opened in late 2025. This is an impressive, dedicated tar sealed cycle track, quite steep in places with lovely lookouts, close to the many wind-turbines and information boards. A lovely steel structure with some of our extinct birds on display. We struck quite a strong headwind which made riding more difficult. Thanks, Marlene for the pineapple lumps we enjoyed along the way especially after some of our steep hill climbs. We enjoyed the downhill into Woodville where we stayed at Ormond St, Motel. Dinner was booked at the Central Motor Inn where we all gathered for our last group dinner of the tour. A great night with awards and lots of laughs. Special thanks to Erica and Athol for organising another amazing tour.
Thursday 12th March – Shuttle back to Ohakune
The shuttle picked us up from Woodville at 9am and after the bikes were loaded onto the trailer, we set off back to Ohakune. A relaxing morning after 5 days of cycling. We got to Ohakune around 11.30am where we all said our goodbyes and departed for a long drive home.