Otago Central Rail Trail © Miles Holden / Tourism NZ INSET: Hamish Bond © Vera Bucsu @ artofrowing.nz
CYCLING MUST-DO’S
Cycling is a journey Hamish Bond is a New Zealand road cyclist and Olympic medalwinning rower. Having made the move from rowing to road cycling after the 2016 Summer Olympics, he later switched to track events. The Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails grant Hamish and his family the freedom to see the very best of Aotearoa.
T
he best part about cycling is the freedom – being out on the road and seeing new places, and knowing the best spots are often inaccessible by car. Sport has taken me to some of the most beautiful parts of the world, but I’ve never taken New Zealand for granted. Thankfully, amongst its picturesque landscape, New Zealand has a growing network of cycle touring routes, stretching from the Far North Cycleway in Cape Rēinga to the Southland Traverse in Invercargill. As a daily e-bike commuter, I am keenly aware how this new technology has made these routes accessible to almost anyone who dares to give it a go! New Zealanders and tourists alike are becoming more and more aware of our responsibility towards the environment, and I take great pleasure in knowing that I’m able to see our country in an environmentally sustainable way.
My wife Lizzie and I have two young daughters, and we are looking forward to the time when they are able to join us on the Otago Central Rail Trail. As a born and bred mainlander, the dry air and rugged landscape is close to my heart. The Trail is a 152km ride or walk that follows the former Otago Central railway line between Middlemarch and Clyde. With multiple accommodation options and activities on the route, it’s the perfect destination for an active family. While international travel remains uncertain, exploring within our own country has become essential for all who call New Zealand home. And what better way to do it than by bike?
Hamish Bond spent an impressive two years pursuing cycling and gained a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 1
