#16 Rabbit Island and the Great Taste Trail

Rabbit Island beach.  My plan was to ride out to the little ferry port from Rabbit Island to Mapua, and maybe do a loop around the north-west half of Rabbit Island, if there was any trail there.

Mapua Road, going west along the beach towards the ferry.  There was an excellent map at the ferry port, which in fact showed that there is indeed a bike trail along the south side.

Slightly more rugged than the beach-side trail on the north of the island, but nothing that would cause me to turn around.  Mapua ferry port….

Much of it was single-track, whereas on the north side, up to the Mapua ferry, it is twin-track.

Faulkners Track - did not see any other bikers on that one - Beautiful.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#15 Rabbit Island and the Great Taste Trail (Cont'd)

The long, winding trail in the tidal flats, swamps and marches is a bit of a maze, but getting to Rabbit Island is pretty straight forward - just stick to the seaside and you will not miss it.  Lots of waterfowl everywhere of course.

Rabbit Island seems to be the local weekend family hangout picnic place, especially the great sandy beach on the north (far) side. The rest of the island is very pretty too, with dense forest covering much of it.  Queen Street approach to the suspension bridge….

Nice suspension bridge.  I did not realise that the bridge would start swinging, when I stopped to take a couple of photos.  Awkward, getting back on the bike, with it swinging.....

Entering the Rabbit Island Reservation.  Tourist maps available here in Nelson show the Great Taste Trail, but they are generally not accurate and incomplete.  Official maps posted along the trails are much better, always indicating “You are here”, and showing a more complete and accurate layout of the network.

Rabbit Island trail to the beach..

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#14 Rabbit Island and the Great Taste Trail (Cont'd)

 The Great Taste Trail is the local bike route, starting from downtown Nelson and heads south-west to Richmond,  past Nelson airport, and then splits in two, with one branch going north to Rabbit Island, and the other south-west (inland) to Murchison.  The bike path crossing the Highway 6 interchange in Annesbrook, after the descent from Britannia Heights and looking towards Richmond.

Up to Richmond, the bike track is asphalt surface, and then gravel to Rabbit Island and all the way around.  Looking back uphill, towards Britannia Heights.

The first part, out of Nelson, is a long, easy climb, on the inland side of Britannia Heights.  Airport, located between Richmond and Nelson.

After the descent to Annesbrook, the trail follows Highway 6 along the coast to Richmond.  That, and all the rest to and around Rabbit Island, are pretty much dead flat.  Riding the trail along Waimea Inlet - Rabbit Island in the distance. 

 So while you do not see bikes on the hill between Nelson and Richmond, on the flat trails around Richmond and out to Rabbit Island, you are likely to see a few bikers (most of them have e-bikes, I am guessing many of them rentals).

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#13 Nelson and Maitai River

 

That last climb was a tough one - actually had to walk a short distance to the top, because it was too rough for my bike (struggling to maintain balance on the rough gravel and also maintain traction on the rear wheel).

Did not notice that these guys were on e-bikes, while I was taking the photo.

Another pipe bridge!  This one without a walkway…

 
This must be the piping stress analysts' heaven!

Maitai Dam.   Crossing the gate at the top, I noticed there was a big sign that mountain bikers using the road must have a permit - available from bike shops.

Summit of the climb at Tantragee Rd.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#12 Nelson and Maitai River (Cont'd)

First little ride in the Nelson region today....

Starts out as asphalt road, but eventually turns to gravel.  Very nice gravel though, nearly as smooth as the asphalt.

A lovely pipe bridge - apparently this one is part of the local network of pipes supplying fresh water to the city of Nelson.

Piping leading up to the pipe bridge.  A fair number of Mountain Bikers were out there today, as it is the weekend.  Maitai River from the pipe bridge, a few kilometers downstream of the dam.   

On the way back from Maitai Dam, I tried an alternative route called Tantragee Rd.
Much rougher and, in places, quite steep too.  Basically a logging road…

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#11 Moved from Blenheim to Nelson

A very scenic two-hour bus ride this afternoon (December 20^th) and I am at my new Airbnb in Nelson.  Home sweet Home until March 1^st.

My Airbnb is on the ground floor, behind the bushes.

There is a common entrance to the Airbnb (left) and the hosts' home.

Notes from Wikipedia:  The City of Nelson is located on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay.  It is the oldest city on the South Island, and was named in honour of Admiral Horatio Nelson.  

Nelson is well known for its thriving local arts and crafts scene, as well as having a collection of classic cars. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#10 Biked from Picton to Blenheim

Boy, was I glad when I finally saw Rarangi, and the Wither hills in the distance.....

Once back at the #1 Highway, I discovered a bike path on the east side of the rail tracks, opposite the highway.  Very nice and very convenient, and took me all the way back to Blenheim CBD.

Even caught up to three young women on bikes along the way.

Quite a memorable ride – 1869m total climbing – do not remember the last time I did that. 

One last descent to Rarangi and a Map of the ride….

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#9 Biked from Picton to Blenheim (Cont'd)..

After a few kilometers, there was hardly any traffic left.

The first big climb was long and tough, but at least it was all asphalt. 

Not sure I believe the near-40% grade indicated on Ridewithgps - 30% maybe, but not 40 - I have been on 40% before, so I know what that feels like.

Subsequent climbs were not as high or as steep, but they were all on gravel, which made them tougher.  Oyster Bay...

These two are part of a commemorative flotilla….

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#8 Biked from Picton to Blenheim (Cont'd)..

 

With the weather forecast as magnificent as usual, I decided to do something a bit different.  I bought a ticket on the Pacific Coast train, for the short trip from Blenheim to Picton.

Unlike the rest of the rail line up from Christchurch, this section does not actually follow the coast north of Blenheim – and now I know why – it is too rugged!

 

Rather, the rail line follows the highway (NZ National #1), crisscrossing a couple of times along the way to Picton.

 

The train station in Picton is close to the harbor and the center of town, as well as being right next to the local tourist information building (like the one in Blenheim).

Picked up a few free maps, took some photos of the harbor and downtown area, and off I went..

Photos belong to Jaro Franta