It’s best to spend a bit of time in the saddle before tackling a long ride, especially if you’ll be biking for multiple days. Go for 2-4 bike rides a week in the 2 months leading up to your adventure and this will help with your fitness and, most importantly, get your bum used to sitting on a bike seat.
Central Otago weather can be very changeable. We recommend being prepared for all seasons and always carrying a waterproof jacket and leggings, gloves, sunscreen and warm clothes to put on if you get wet. These items will all easily fit into your panniers. See the full packing list below.
Yes, everyone that cycles these trails wears them and, yes, they will reduce chafing and cushion your bum! Choose from the traditional lycra bike pants to the more casual baggy shorts which look just like a regular pair of shorts (no one would even know!).
There are some long stretches on Central Otago's cycle trails with no refreshment/food stops. Carry plenty of snacks and take time to enjoy them at a scenic stop.
Central Otago is home to some of the most popular bike rides in New Zealand. The peak season is from December to May, so book well in advance to secure your spot.
Make sure you drink plenty of water while cycling these trails. Bottled water is available for purchase at cafes, shops and hotels along the way.
This isn’t a race, it’s your adventure, so take your time to explore Central Otago. We recommend cycling the trails over multiple days to really see, taste and experience this unique part of the world.
There are eco-toilets along the trail, but please carry your own toilet paper. Bring your mobile phone and have our app installed on it, as well as a small first aid kit and a torch for exploring the tunnels along the trail.
Highly recommend. E-bike was in a perfect condition, everyone was so kind in the shop and the trail was just beautiful. Thanks a lot! Right in front is also a nice place for breakfast/lunch before/after the ride!
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Highly recommended! From the friendly customer service when making the enquiries, to booking and making further changes. The whole process was hassle-free and easy. CCT does everything for you from shuttle & bike hire to reserving a table for dinner and booking local accommodation. I liaised over the phone with Sonia and she was fabulous. Nothing was a problem.We did our trip over Labour weekend when the Rugby World Cup semi-finals was on and we would've missed most of the games if the manager, Christine, and her husband (the driver), Kevin, hadn't been so accommodating to allow us to leave after the games rather than during. We were very grateful :-)The e-bikes were amazing and I can highly recommend using the mountain bike style ones if you're cycling a long distance. The gel seats are great, but you will still need lots of extra padding (especially for women). The e-bikes were in excellent condition and honestly made the cycle trip so much easier and quicker for us. We did the Lake Dunstan cycle trail on one day and part of the Otago Rail Trail on another day. Both were spectacular!We even bumped into Christine and Kevin at Chatto Creek (highly recommended lunch stop) on the Otago Rail Trail and had lunch with them. They are so friendly and accommodating. They even let us drop off our bikes to their house when we returned back to Clyde after 5.30pm.
Staff really goes above and beyond here. Great experience.
We had a really nice trip on the Central Rail Trail! Everything was well organised by the Central Cycle Trail company. Good bikes, plenty of space in the panniers. Easy to communicate with the company, quick responses. They booked really good accomodation for us on the trip. We cycled the trail in 3 days, stayed the first night in Lauder and the second in Waipiata. The itinerary and advice on rest stops/cafés were handy!
This was a 5 of 5 experience. I was a bit nervous after watching many youtube. I’m an older 61 years man with intermediate level biking skills, although I do use an ebike here at home a lot. Made a wrong turn at the end of the first bridge in Cromwell, but I just ended up visiting several wineries in the area as well. I was still done in 4 hours. Had to walk a short 50 feet or so when the trail got too narrow, but I did it! So happy I went on a fall day, basically had the trail all to myself. Would not have enjoyed it on a busy day!
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