Choose to start whatever day of the week you want. Friday and over the weekend is usually when people can ride. Bring your own bike or hire one of our e-bikes.
Day 1
WOOLSHED TO THE SOWS EAR
Meet 4pm at Woolshed HQ on Tinui Valley Road. An easy day. Flat tarseal up a leafy quiet valley, steep but short climb up the Crusher Hill onto gravel and on to Rahui for night 1. No tech zone here, a chance to catch up with your team over a wine or a wander around the beautiful established garden. Or enjoy a sundowner at the pond. Homemade salads will be ready in the fridge, all you need to do is cook the veges and meat on the bbq at The Sows Ear.
10KM Today - 50 Mins
Day 2
THE SOWS EAR TO CASTLEPOINT
Depart 10am - Start on flat gravel, up the Tinui Valley Road and on to the Te Mai road. Climbing up to Te Mai airstrip for great 360 degree views of the Tararua ranges and around to the Pacific Ocean. 346m altitude. A fun/steep downhill on the Packspur road may be challenging for the more novice riders, but fun if you want to get up some speed. The flat road winds out to the Mataikona river mouth and beachfront - a great spot to get off your bike and stretch the legs. Enjoy the 15km of beautiful coastal section; notice how the rocks change from round to flat at Suicide Rock. Pedal past the character baches and wind through a section of pines with sheer drops to the ocean. Meeting the main road for one last climb and downhill into Castlepoint. Beach accommodation varies due to requirements. You should hit Castlepoint at about 2pm, enough time to explore this spectacular spot.
34KM Today - 4-5 Hours
Day 3
CASTLEPOINT TO THE WOOLSHED
Depart 9am - Head out of Castlepoint, past the pub on the main road and a solid climb up the Big Saddle. At the top head into the forest and tackle one last climb rewarded with spectacular views of the loop. Have a stop and look around at Dad’s Hut and use the longdrop out the back. A fun fast downhill through the cool native bush for 6km. Back to your car at the HQ Woolshed at about lunchtime.
21KM Today - 3 Hours
Extra treats to discover
Be sure to visit the Tinui Craft Corner for all sorts of locally made crafts at the old Post Office building. The Post office building is open and left as it was when it closed in the 80’s. There are police cells and the smallest police station in NZ restored in the village. The museum inside the shop is a little hidden gem rich in history.
If you are up for more, then the Tinui Anzac Walkway is well worth the climb. About 2 hours up the the top gives you spectacular views of Tinui Village and surrounding areas. This is the first site in the world where the fallen soldiers of WW1 were commemorated by erecting a wooden cross and holding a service. An aluminium cross stands today, illuminated at night.
SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - 10 KMS
4pm* - Arrive at HQ, briefing, head to Rahui - *3pm during daylight savings
5pm - Arrive at Rahui
DAY 2 - 34 KMS
10am - Depart Rahui
2pm - Arrive Castlepoint
DAY 3 - 21 KMS
9am - Depart Castlepoint
12pm - Arrive at HQ, depart for home
“Have loved all this. The Hut, first night with the amazing food was delightful. Loved walking up Castlepoint and around the hill loop, then through the bush near the end was favourite bike part. View at the Hut was spectacular. Thank you for a great experience.”
Loop de Loop de
Long Weekend
Not ready to leave? Need another night in the spectacular beach house, get the neighbour to feed the cat. After the end of your ride if you are not quite ready to leave, take your car for lunch at Castlepoint store, take a hike up Mt Maunsell or Castlerock or just chill at the batch. Dinner options at the Castlepoint store or back at our bach. or get in touch and it can be arranged. Price depends on numbers and availability.