Bike rides have become ever so popular in recent times, not just to exercise and get out into the great outdoors, but sometimes as a way to holiday and see a travel destination. In Lonely Planet’s latest book, titled “Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand”, there are numerous accounts of bike rides, all written by people who have actually experienced the ride.
The popularity of bike rides has inspired the opening of a new bike trail in my area, called the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah to Burringbar in New South Wales. It has proven to be extremely popular with all types of bike riders. Plenty of cycling enthusiasts are experiencing this bike ride and praising it as a fantastic bike trail.
I remember a few years back there were groups of middle aged men and women in lycra peddling around the roads of the Gold Coast on the weekends. Road cycling became extremely popular and many people were inspired by cycling events such as the Tour de France. However after a spate of road accidents resulting in injuries such as grazes, gravel rash and broken collar bones, these weekend cyclists decided it was a little dangerous on the roads competing with cars.
I think the powers that be decided that it was far safer and more practical to start looking at making bike trails that were purpose-built for cyclists and that were suitable for road bikes. Many disused railway lines were perfect for transformation into cycling trails. As were less busier country roads and off the beaten tracks in the outback areas of Australia.
In a country as big as Australia there are plenty of off-road, or at least, off-the-main-road, trails to explore that meander through scenic territory and have the benefit of little to no traffic.
It is also common knowledge about the benefits of being in nature for our mental health. Coupling that with the physical exercise of cycling, it’s clear that bike rides of any duration do wonders for our wellbeing. It give us all the chance to just slow down and appreciate the scenery.
“Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand” book features 150 awe-inspiring rides in both Australia and New Zealand. It’s the perfect guide book for planning a leisurely weekend ride, or maybe something a lot more challenging like the 1100 kilometre Munda Biddi Trail in South West Australia.
The bike rides include: The rugged Nevis Range in New Zealand, the mountain bike trails of Tasmania and Rotorua, a fun ride through Melbourne’s inner-city laneways, a leisurely day jaunt on a family friendly rail trail, to the breathtaking Flinders Island in Tasmania. This book showcases the unparalleled beauty of both country’s natural wonders.
Covering each state and territory in Australia, as well as the north and south islands of New Zealand, each bike adventure lets you immerse yourself in the local environment, escape the everyday and gain insights from experts who have peddled the route.
During our travels around Australia, we always bring a bicycle along, or at least rent a bike so that we can set off on a bike ride to explore the countryside. Some of the epic Australian bike rides are South Australia’s Mawson Trail, the remarkable 700 kilometre bike adventure into the Queensland Outback, or the infectious energy at the annual Gears and Beers event in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
Some of the bike trails we have experienced include:
New Zealand is jam packed with amazing bike trails. Explore the ancestral significance of the Motu Trails in New Zealand, the Kōpiko Aotearoa journey across New Zealand or Otago’s Central Rail Trail – New Zealand’s most famous rail trail.
On our travels to New Zealand we have only sampled a couple of these bike rides:
There’s never been a better time to literally “get on your bike” and set off on some new adventures that may be just a short distance from where you live. This great new Lonely Planet guide will have you thirsting to explore our beautiful countries and inspire you to get out into the great outdoors. “Epic Bike Ride of Australia and New Zealand” is now available at all good book store for $44.99 or shop online here.
