The Kiwi home of mountain bike trails seems to have it all. But for all its gondola-assisted down-hilling, jump areas, bike parks and legendary international riding events and hundreds of tracks, Rotorua has lacked a single trail that caters for the cross-country rider on a day trip, one that is close to the city and explores some of the best natural features of the area. Until recently, that is. The missing cycling category has been found, with the NZ Cycle Trail ‘Great Rides’ brand having drawn a big circle on the Rotorua biking map.
The Great Rides are the cycling equivalent of the NZ Great Walks. Unlike the iconic multi-day back-country walks, the Great Rides are as diverse as the cyclists that use them. Some trails are for the
