Otago Central Rail Trail important customer information

Here at Trail Journeys in Clyde (located at the Otago Central Rail Trail trailhead,  click here to view map) our main business is to cater for all the needs of people riding the Rail Trail whatever the time of the year. To this end we now have a fleet of 400 odd cycles (for all shapes and sizes, for all fitness levels and for all ages), plus all the little extras like panniers, helmets, baby seats & tow behind bikes for young children.

We also have a fleet of buses and vans offering daily transport over the length and breadth of the Trail. We have a team of receptionists offering a full itinerary booking service for the Trail (accomodation, transport, baggage transfer, bike hire and car storage and any other activities you may wish to do alongside your ride) plus a full retail service for any last minute extras you may need.

So with all this experience behind us we know we can offer good advice to our customers & hopefully make their Rail Trail experience just that little bit better.

 

How many days should we take?

The trail is 150km long & people with average fitness can certainly do this in 3 days & two nights accommodation, but time may not allow too many excursions off the trail (to visit some of the outlying towns such as Naseby or Ophir or historical sites such as E Hayes & Sons Engineering or activities such as the Duncan's Wedderburn farm tour). 

Taking 4 or 5 days can allow for a much more relaxed approach. Time to visit all the small pubs & talk to the locals. Also there are many other places of interest close by the rail-trail that are worth a visit. With a 4 to 5 day trip you can take an easy day to freshen up. A popular option is to spend a lay day at either of Wedderburn or Ranfurly and take a farm trip or go curling in the indoor Curling Centre at Naseby.

 

What is the best time to do the Trail?

The Trail can be ridden at any time of the year.

Weather
What will the weather be like?: [Typical Day Time Temps]

Spring (September-November): [12-25 ^oC]
Spring weather with some wind from the north west, the majority of time you will be riding with the wind if you bike from Clyde to Middlemarch. The early mornings can be invigourating in September. A great time to do the trail and normally a bit more relaxed and less conjested than in the autumn

Summer (December-February): [18-30 ^oC]
Hot summers typified by long days (daylight from 6am until 10pm) with the hottest part of the day in the middle of the day.

Autumn (March-May): [10-26 ^oC]
Autumn days can be warm and settled with cool nights. The weather may generally be more settled, but be aware that weather is one of the few things we do not have under our control and you need to be prepared for any type of weather at any time of the year The late autumn colours are best seen in mid to late April. Appreciate the fact that this can be the busiest time on the trail, so be prepared for bigger crowds.

Winter (June-August): [-1 -10 ^oC]
Can often be cold with frost, but on clear windless days (the majority of days over Winter !) the riding and views can be spectacular. The temperatures can dip below -0 degrees, but the days can be absolutely magnificent. Note that daylight hrs are typically 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Sunshine hours (annual average) 1,980

Humidity (annual average) 82.8%

Rainfall (annual average) 13 - 15 inches

 

What is the best direction to ride the Trail?

Should I Start In Clyde or Middlemarch?Our recommendation is that you start your ride at the Clyde Railhead, but the other direction can provide benefits as well.

Reasons for this?

• Starting from Clyde allows for more accommodation options on the first day, so it can be a shorter day to ease you into the rythym of cycling.
• Finishing at Middlemarch can give you the option of completing your last day with a spectacular train trip through the Taieri Gorge to Dunedin.
• Wind direction is always a gamble and we cannot guarantee we get it right all the time, but the perception is the prevailing winds of SW to NW are more likely to be behind you the majority of the way when starting in Clyde. This would be more likely to happen during spring and early summer but of course with weather it is very hard to predict and the wind can be there at any time of the year. As we say in Central Otago, if the weather is bad here, it is always worse everywhere else.
• Our business is now situated in Clyde and Middlemarch, so for our customers it’s does not create any issues if your start from either end. We can now make sure that your cycle is a perfect fit for you at both Clyde and Middlemarch
• If your itinerary means you have to start in Middlemarch we now have a full depot at this end with showers, internet, shop and bike hire, we just need to know your height to work out the size of bike you will require.

 

What type of bike should I ride?

For the majority of people of average fitness we have found our most popular model is the hybrid bike. In Giant, the bike manufacturers words, " Blending all of the features of a comfort bike with the ruggedness of a mountain bike, the Sedona hybrid bike is at home on the bike path, but equally comfortable on unsealed country roads and rail trails". These bikes have an upright riding position, taking the pressure off your neck and wrists. Combine these features with front suspension, a velo comfort saddle with cut out, a carrier rack for attaching panniers and a suspension seat post and you have probably the most comfortable bike available today. Bike hire includes helmet and repair kit. For details on our hire bikes please visit our bike rentals page.

On any bike saddle height is very important. To set this sit in the normal cycling position & with your heel positioned on the pedal at the very bottom of its cycle your leg should be almost straight. If you're hiring one of our bikes we will make sure that you're fitted out to your requirements.

Most importantly If you are not a regular cyclist/rider we suggest you begin a daily cycling regime for 4 to 6 weeks before your Rail Trail adventure, gradually increasing the distance you ride. If you want any more info on cycle maintainence, information on how to set up your bike and cycle safety CLICK HERE to follow a link to a comprehensive document prepared for your benefit. 

This will certainly make your journey more enjoyable.

Thousands of cyclists of all ages enjoy riding the Central Otago Rail Trail each year, with 85% of cyclists/ riders being between the age of 45 to 70 and beyond.

 

What gear do I need to ride the Trail?

• Lightweight waterproof/breathable jacket.
• Walking / running shoes or biking shoes and socks.
• Lightweight leggings (lycra, merino or polypropylene).
• Sunscreen and a peaked hat. 
• Fleece jacket.
• Long sleeved micro fleece or merino top.
• Lightweight T-shirts for fine weather.
• Cycle gloves. (available at Trail Journeys)
• Cycle shorts. (available at Trail Journeys)
• Gel seat cover. (available at Trail Journeys)
• Plenty of water and some food.
• Camera for recording your adventure for posterities sake !
• Toilet paper for use in the trail eco-toilets.
• Torch for use in the tunnels.

 

Accommodation on the Trail

Most of the accommodation available along the trail at present is either in hotels, motels, or B&B's. These range in price from $30 to $85 per person for twin share/double accommodation, and means you do not need to carry extra sleeping gear such as sleeping bags & tents (note that there are camping facilities in Clyde, Alexandra, Omakau, Naseby, Ranfurly, Hyde & Middlemarch). As most of the accommodation providers only cater for small numbers it is recommended you pre book directly or use our itinerary service who will pre book your accommodation for no extra cost.  Trail Journeys Itinerary service.

 

Car storage, return transport and baggage transfer

To make sure that you can ride the trail in comfort and return with no hassles to your starting point there are three services that Trail Journeys offer. 

Firstly we can store your vehicle securely under cover while you are out on the trail (Car Storage).
 
Secondly if you have more gear than you can comfortably carry on your bike we will move your baggage each day to your next stop-off along the trail by using our own shuttle-buses equipped with bike & gear carrying trailers. Or if you are staying off the trail (for example in Naseby, St Bathans or Macraes) we can book you into existing scheduled services (Daily Baggage Transfer).

Finally we will return you to your starting point using our own shuttle-buses equipped with bike & gear carrying trailers (this service runs daily over the Summer / Autumn months (Return Transport). 

 

Safety concerns / issues - please read

One of the main reasons for the Railtrail's popularity is the very safe environment that the activity takes place in. You are riding away from traffic and with no steep hills. As with everything we do there is still the possibility of accidents occurring. People should be aware of the fact that this is an area of very low population and isolation is a factor to consider.

Cell phone coverage has been upgraded over the last couple of years. Note that there are still a number of blank spots on the trail but you should be no more than 30 minutes ride from access to coverage. There are doctors at Ranfurly, Alexandra and Clyde and hospitals at Clyde and Ranfurly. First aid kits should be carried to deal with minor cuts, scratches etc.

There is good access to the road highways along most of the trail.

Summers can be very hot and sun block is an essential item. Winters are the opposite and good clothing should be carried or worn.

Once you leave Alexandra there are no cycle repair shops along the trail so repair kits and spares should be carried.(if hiring our bikes these are provided)

Please make sure that you carry an adequate supply of drinking water on all the trail. Central Otago is the driest area in New Zealand.

 

Drinking Water

Central Otago has the lowest rainfall in all of New Zealand. Most of the rural areas do not have treated water supplies. Water may be from springs, roof tanks or wells. Be aware that this water may upset the stomaches of people used to drinking treated water from city processing plants.

Extremely low rainfall along most of the Railtrail means drinking water is not as freely available as in other parts of New Zealand.

Be prepared by taking plenty of water when you are venturing on to the trail. if you do run short many businesses stock and sell bottled drinking water.

Or if requesting water bottles to be re-filled, please expect to pay a small fee.

 

Otago Central Rail Trail Passport

Purchasing this Passport contributes funds to the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust for on-going Rail Trail enhancement.
The Passport is both a quality souvenir and record of your achievement, even if just tackling one or two sections.
It contains a Rail Trail map that includes location of shelter sheds (those identified with an ‘i’ symbol house information panels).
Each station site has its story and a space for you to imprint with the self-inking stamp inside the red, replica Railways Department phone box. If a stamp is missing or damaged, please refer to the poster attached to the inside of the door.
Passports can be bought from information offices and most pubs, cafés, accommodation and other retail outlets along the Rail Trail.
You can purchase a passport (cost $10) from our reception team at the Trail Journeys Trail Head building in Clyde. This can also be ordered at the time of booking your itinerary and put into your wallet which you pick up prior to starting the trail. If you are a part of one of our guided rides we give you a passport to record your adventure.