Bike riding in Hawke's Bay wine region

Hawke's Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand and its second largest, after the Marlborough region. We rode the free bikes available at our lodgings (‘latte bikes’—so upright you won’t upset your latte on your ride). They weren’t our usual preference, but being able to look around at the scenery was nice.

We rode a levee (without our Chevy) to the Pacific Ocean for about 10 miles, to Elephant Hill winery. Some of their vineyards are located within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean (something we don’t see in California). We tried several of their wines, then ate our packed lunch sitting by the ocean.

Later, we rode back to two other wineries nearby our lodgings. The bike trail passed apple orchards, vineyards and “frisky cows.”Read more