‘ON YER BIKE’ – NORTHLAND RAIL TRAIL HOLIDAY
We’re just recreational riders knocking on in years, using everyday bikes and no fancy equipment, so we plan our rides accordingly, with daily stage lengths of 40km or less, and a relaxed timeframe that allows rest and sightseeing time en route.
We use our campervan as home base for each night. It’s a two-berth Toyota HiAce Jumbo, sleeping two comfortably, and able to carry the two bikes either on a double carrier on the tow bar, or one on the towbar and one inside the van. It’s our impression that the van handles rather better with one bike inside, rather than both on the tow bar, affecting the weight distribution.
Planning the route involves working to our preferred stage length and taking account of gradients, because an overall downhill profile makes for an easier day’s ride with less strain on ageing legs! Next, we relate that to the availability of campsites, and when necessary organise shuttle back-up.
We began our ride from Kawakawa as
