shebikeshebikes

Large leaps in progress are now being made in the creation of shebikeshebikes Otago Central Rail Trail HQ.

- The new windows and doors are in place (the bi-folding front doors are fantastic)

- The interior has been gutted

- A new concrete topping slab has been poured and is currently drying

The outside desperately needs the new paint job and branding but it’s not time for that just yet.

Jesse Mulligan had a little bit to say recently about the Ida Valley and it’s rail trail produce amongst other things, you can read more here http://aucklandfoodblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/central-otago-goodies.html I’ve never been to the Wanaka cinema but will certainly have to check it out and try some of those cookies.

The weather of the past month has seen some snow, a hoar frost and now some really beautiful still days. We’ve had some intrepid travellers out on the Otago Central Rail Trail recently and the consensus is that it’s very sloppy in parts due to the snow having thawed and made things boggy. The Oturehua to Wedderburn section is particularly bad and some have chosen to take to the road and bypass it altogether.  Here are a few images to give you an idea what Central Otago can be like at this time of the year.

We’ve been developing a few adverts that we’ll start to circular via various media. They’re worth a look for a giggle.

Our renvotation of shebikeshebikes HQ is underway. Consents are in with the council, the new roof is going on this week, the double glazing has been ordered and we’ve even chosen a colour scheme…. whewww!!!  The new Ford transit is on order from Ford NZ (we’ve ordered the silver one if colour is important to you

We’re privileged to be able to technology sponsor Nick Woods as he undertakes an extreme John McGlashan challenge to run, bike and paddle the length of the South Island.  When we heard what Nick and his Dad Denis were going to do we thought it would be great to be able to follow their progress as they travel across some gnarly terrain some of which makes up sections of some of the tougher multisport events in NZ. So, we’ve provided them with a Garmin 705 GPS unit and a bit of instruction so that they can log and upload each days progress. We reckon this type of father / son endeavour is truly inspirational and wish them all the best. Check out their progress at http://lighthousetolighthouse.blogspot.com

I guess when you think about Queenstown and buzz then you think adrenalin filled adventures. Carol and I spent three days in the adventure capital enjoying our wedding anniversary, taking in some of the sights and getting a bike ride in. It really was totally comical because we set off up the hill, intending to follow the route on the MTB Queenstown map we’d purchased. Well, we ended up at the bottom of the Wynyard terrain park instead of the top so headed further down hill until we found a track sign point to the Gondola. It all looked a bit narrow to me and not rideable but we decided to go up because we knew it would meet up with the access road at some point. The really funny thing was that it certainly was a walking track and really knarly one at that… so we carried the bikes a long way. It turned out it was the Gondola track that we’d walked on our honeymoon all those years ago, which was quite comical.

While out and about browsing the shops we got a real buzz when a woman passed us wearing a shebikeshebikes Otago Central Rail Trail t-shirt.

I was lucky enough to be asked what I’d like for Christmas by Carol (… I wonder when the boxers and socks will come) and I asked for an iRULE Invest cycling vest.  My brother-in-law Mark had told me that it was the best cycling vest that he’d ever worn so that was good enough for me.  This weekend the weather warranted a test ride in my new Invest, bit cooler than usual, bit of wind. Wow! what an awesome piece of kit! It cut out the wind, but I didn’t cook while I was effectively doing interval training mapping a part of the Otago Central Rail Trail for cellphone coverage (it was all start stop stuff each K for 30 K).  I really thought at the start of the ride that I was going to have to throw on another layer and get really sweaty but the Invest did the trick… broke the wind chill and kept me cool. I really liked the length of the vest and the fact that I could zip it all the way up and nestle my chin into it.

You’ve got to check this gear out at http://www.irule.co.nz/shop/products/invest

We’ve recently purchased and assembled a fleet of 15 hire bikes. If you’re not quite sure about doing the whole Otago Central Rail Trail or you don’t have the time at this stage then consider a whistle stop ride through the Poolburn Viaduct section. We can set you up on one of our “Green machines” (Avanti Atomic mountain bikes) for a day trip along this spectacular and historical leg of the Otago Central Rail Trail. The cost is $40 inc gst and includes

- Avanti Atomic mountain bike with front shocks and comfort seat
- Pannier bags (if you want them, no extra charge)
- Tool kit and spare tube (just in case)
- Headlight (it’s dark in those tunnels)

An out and back trip to the viaduct from Omakau is 26 km or discuss other great options with us.

For more details call 03 447 4047 or email bookings@shebikeshebikes.co.nz

After creating a brand it would be a shame for it to be just a virtual thing. So, we’ve created a range of shebikeshebikes T-Shirts that are Otago Central Rail Trail souvenirs. The fabric and cut is great and we reckon the brand looks really smart. Check them out on the merchandise page http://shebikeshebikes.co.nz/otago-central-rail-trail/t-shirts/