Jed Kennedy & Friends - Lake Dunstan & Otago Central Rail Trail

Your cycling adventure begins with the drive across the picturesque Canterbury Plains. After refreshments in Geraldine, we’ll continue through rolling farmland to Burke’s Pass and the Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel. After a brief stop to see the Church of the Good Shepherd, we'll continue onto Twizel for lunch. Our warm up ride today takes us along one of the prettiest sections of the Alps to Ocean trail. Firstly we ride alongside the vivid blue canals allowing us to get used to our bikes. At the Lake Ohau inlet the trail turns to easy singletrack which follows the edge of the lake giving us wonderful mountain and lake views, before meeting a quiet sealed road for the final 9km. We stay at Lake Ohau Lodge, a remote rustic ski lodge overlooking Lake Ohau. Later we enjoy our first group meal together and learn more about the week's riding. Be sure to head out after dark to see the incredible starry skies. Cycling distance: Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge - 38km Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge - www.ohau.co.nz

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast we leave the snowy alps behind and head over the Lindis Pass to Cromwell, a drive of around 2 hours. We unload the bikes at Smith’s Way and start our journey with an easy ride following the glistening shores of Lake Dunstan. We pass through Cromwell’s Old Town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s, where galleries, coffee shops and boutiques give us a short break from the bike. The trail continues along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge offering stunning views across the lake while passing by wineries and olive groves. From Cornish Point some riders will continue on along the new Lake Dunstan Trail into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, where the track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above the lake to Clyde. For those riders who wish to avoid the more demanding section through the gorge, there will be an option drive to Clyde and ride all or part of the easier river trail to Alexandra, or explore the small historic town. We will all meet again in Clyde, and head to a boutique vineyard for a wine tasting before dinner at a local restaurant. Our accommodation tonight is in the heritage listed buildings of Olivers boutique lodge, a luxurious experience! Cycling distances: Smith’s Way to Cornish Point – 30km Cornish Point to Clyde via Lake Dunstan (Moderate) – 25km Clyde to Alexandra River Trail (Introductory) – 12km Accommodation - Olivers - www.olivers.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we start our journey on the original Great Ride, the Otago Central Rail Trail. Leaving Clyde via the historic railway line, we’ll track across rural plains encircled by dramatic mountain ranges. Beyond the tiny settlement of Chatto Creek, the trail climbs gently before levelling off to reach our lunch stop, Omakau. We’ll then hop on the bus for the short detour to must-see Ophir township and the Raggedy Range lookout for a bird’s eye view of region. Back on the bikes, it’s another 9km of easy riding to reach Lauder. Late afternoon we’ll drive to the Cambrians and St Bathans and enjoy a walk around the surreal Blue Lake formed during the 1800s gold days. Enjoy a game of pool or banter at the Vulcan Hotel before tucking into a well-earned dinner. Cycling distance: 44km Accommodation: Lauder School B&B - www.lauderschool.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s ride features the trip’s first tunnels and bridges as we trace the pretty Poolburn Gorge and head into the Idaburn Valley. We’ll stop at Hayes Engineering Works, a delightfully rustic heritage site with a great cafe, and Oturehua’s old-fashioned grocery store. After lunch, it’s a gentle climb to the rail trail’s highpoint, then a downhill roll to Ranfurly with its striking art deco architecture. Late afternoon, we’ll take the short drive to Naseby, a cute forestry town famous for its indoor curling rink. Here’s your chance to try ‘bowls on ice’ – it’s very addictive! Naseby is also terrific for a stroll or a sup at the old pub, both nice ways to wind down before we return to Ranfurly for dinner. Cycling distance 47km Accommodation: Hawdun Lodge - www.hawkdunlodge.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

Today combines the trip’s biggest daily distance with some of its most fun riding. The trail tracks towards Waipiata, then follows the edge of an old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge with yet more bridges and tunnels. It’s a flowing downhill run to the historic Hotel Hyde, a picturesque spot for a breather. From here, the final 27km takes in the poignant 1943 Hyde rail disaster memorial, then wends across rolling plains towards the trail’s end at Middlemarch. After lunch, we’ll board the support vehicle for the drive to Dunedin and onto Larnach Castle situated on the Otago Peninsula. New Zealand’s only Castle, built in 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. We are free in the afternoon to explore Castle and grounds and the exquisite, award winning gardens. We will stay in the Castle's boutique lodge accommodation. Tonight we will celebrate our trip finale with a 4 course 'trust the chef' menu in the Castle Dining Room. Cycling distance: 59km Accommodation: Larnach Castle - www.larnachcastle.co.nz

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we head off to ride alongside the Otago Harbour to Portobello. This ride takes us down the harbour, surrounded by volcanic hills on both sides, and home to nesting albatross, penguins, and seals, as well as the site of historic shipwrecks. We’ll get a closer look as we board the vessel ‘Sootychaser’ for a mini wildlife tour across to Port Chalmers. The Sootychaser is named after the Sooty shearwater, New Zealand’s muttonbird, and on our tour we’ll hear about the history of the area, see the boats, make a detour to see harbour birds and Larnach Castle from a distance. From Port Chalmers we’ll drive north stopping to admire the Moeraki Boulders and for a wander around the Victorian Precinct and portside park in Oamaru. From there, we continue driving northwards across the Canterbury Plains, and back to Christchurch arriving around 6pm. Cycling distance: 15-20km

Meals:  B