Cecileah, the kids and I spent Waitangi Weekend in Nelson. While we were there, we met up with Brendon and Rochelle Mathews, who’ve recently opened a new bike shop in the city centre.
The Bike Station is a bike shop with a difference – as well as stocking a wide range of bikes and gear, and offering daily bike servicing and repairs, they also serve excellent coffee and food. There’s a big table to sit around, heaps of biking magazines and a relaxed, friendly vibe. It’s a fantastic spot to revive flagging energy levels, meet fellow cyclists, and pick up some local knowledge.
Biking is becoming increasingly popular in and around Nelson, and with good reason. Boasting a warm, sunny climate, good beaches, and some of the finest national parks in the country – Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman – the region lends itself to adventures on two wheels. The area is also home to two of New Zealand’s Great Rides:
The Great Taste Trail
Serving up relaxed riding, stunning coastal views, and a seemingly limitless supply of cafes, breweries and vineyards, this 174km loop meanders through the picturesque Nelson and Tasman region. Mainly flat riding makes it a good choice for families and less experienced cyclists. Like all Great Rides you can tackle the entire route over several days, or pick and choose sections to ride as a leisurely half or full day adventure.
The Dun Mountain Trail
This one-day mountain bike trail follows the route of New Zealand’s first railway line to the summit of Dun Mountain, before descending back down to Nelson. With a starting point just a short ride from the city centre, it’s one of New Zealand’s most accessible back country rides. Completing the full loop involves a technical downhill over loose, rocky terrain, so it’s best suited to fit and experienced mountain bikers.
We’re now partnering with The Bike Station to offer a depot for people to start or finish bike hire with Natural High in the Nelson region. So, if you’re keen to discover the sights (and tastes) of this vibrant area drop us an email, and together with The Bike Station team, we’ll get you sorted.
You’ll find The Bike Station at 54 Vanguard Street, Nelson. Opening hours are 7am – 6pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm on Saturdays, and 10am – 3pm on Sundays.
Have a great week,
Steve
