Mārahau to Nelson - Great Taste Trail

We left Mārahau and followed the coast south. First following the coastal windy road to Kaiteriteri and then picking up the Great Taste Trail cycle route - a mix of dedicated cycle trail, back roads and paths to Motueka. Today we had clear skies and sun accompanying our ride. Joyous!!

A quick stop in Motueka for some bread rolls and off again through a wetland reserve and lagoon before we were back on the highway for a while. Down a back road through the small hamlet of Tasman we stopped at the general store, where we enjoyed the warmth of the sun, sitting outside. Sharing a coffee, we had a lovey chat with two older gentleman, out for a recreational day ride and lycra’d up. They kindly let us know that part of our road route ahead was closed due to the recent heavy rain and told us where to detour - much appreciated. A short climb provided expansive views to Nelson in the far distance, where we were heading.

A lovely descent into Māpua where we planned to catch the short ferry hop to Rabbit Island. The lady who ran the ferry told us that the trail route ahead had flooded and that we would need to divert onto the highway once we left the island. We paid our fare and rolled the bikes on accompanied by two families out for a day ride.

Reaching Rabbit Island - we saw no rabbits - and after a slog up the soft sand, bikes ploughing deep furrows (hardest bit of the day so far), we rode through the forest trails of what looked like an artificially planted forest of evergreen pine or spruce trees, dotted with picnic sites.

Across the causeway to the mainland we navigated around bits closed off due to standing water (post flooding) and cycled on the highway to Richmond. Now late afternoon, traffic was picking up and we clung to the narrow shoulder as the cars sped past. Constant traffic at ‘going home’ time, we both hurried to get to the off-road trail to Nelson.

That was until Lilz experienced a large popping noise on the highway which turned out to be a puncture! First of the trip! It turned out to be a 2 inch nail, most of which was inside the tyre. Fortunately, this happens just as we passed a side road and meant we didn’t have to repair it on the side of the busy highway. After 15-20 mins and some swearing, inner tube inserted, we were off and after a short while were back onto the Taste Trail which snaked around the bay on the outskirts of Nelson.

Now dark, we followed cycle paths into the city, being overtaken by commuter cyclists. It was quite nice to be amongst other bikes, having not seen many on our travels so far.

One last hill and a nice old railway path down into Nelson, we made our way to our first Warmshowers host, who we had contacted and who kindly let us use her house for two nights, even though she was away in Sardinia! Such trust and kindness is wonderful! Her son was visiting NZ with his girlfriend but was away on a camping trip and so we found Melanie’s house and instructions to let ourselves in and looked forward to no tent, having a dry refuge and a hot shower. However, Melanie’s son returned unexpectedly late in the evening when we were tucked up - we thought someone was breaking in at first! A bit awkward, for all concerned, so we planned to stay one Warmshowers night only.Leggi altro