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Insights

We post all sorts of interesting things here, from trail news and event updates to tips we’ve learned on the job and expanded answers to those burning FAQ questions. You’ll also find stories from the Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, Clutha Gold, Lake Dunstan, and Kawarau Trails. It’s a mix of useful info, local insights, and the occasional quirky observation, all to help you get the most out of your next ride. 

We hope you find it useful and if you come up with something that you think would be really useful then we’d love to know so we can include it, expand on it or write it.

Black and white photograph of the Kawarau Gorge taken in 1865 by Joseph Perry, showing the natural rock formation Whatatorere where the river narrows. Held in the Hocken Collections, University of Otago

The ancient crossing that opened up Central Otago

Shebikeshebikes other trail mascots Ruru = Porky Piwakawaka = Fanny Pukeko = Swampy Sheep = Dags

The Kiwi Art Trail is Almost Over – Don’t Miss It

The "Eye of the Kiwi" sculpture of a kiwi at shebikeshebikes clyde depot. This sculpture was created for the kiwi art trail by "sweats"

Kiwi Spotting on the Otago Rail Trail – The Kiwi Art Trail Comes to Clyde

If you're looking for a reason to jump on a bike and explore the Clyde to Alexandra trail this April, here's a good one: there are kiwi everywhere. Well, sculpture kiwi, but they're pretty spectacular.
The Taieri Gorge Train arriving at Pukerangi Station for customer meeting the SheBikesHeBikes shuttle to Middlemarch

The Taieri Gorge Train

Add the Taieri Gorge Train to your Otago Rail Trail adventure.
An excerpt of the Alexandra Basin Wine Growers Map. It's a guide to the various vineyards in Alexandra

Alexandra Wine Tours – Central Otago’s best kept secret

Discover the Alexandra Basin wine region, Central Otago’s best kept secret. Shaped by goldrush history and a striking cool-climate landscape, it produces distinctive, award-winning wines. Tastings are personal, often hosted by the vineyard owner who crafted the bottle. Explore relaxed cellar doors and vineyard scenery by bicycle on an unforgettable Central Otago wine experience.

The Best Sections of the Otago Rail Trail: A Complete Guide

Not sure which part of the Rail Trail to ride? This guide highlights the best sections for day rides, from dramatic gorges and historic tunnels to relaxed riverside stretches with cafés and vineyards. Discover distances, scenery, and local insights to help you choose the perfect ride.
Historic stone-walled room at Olivers Lodge in Clyde showcasing original 1869 schist architecture, vintage timber doors, ornate Persian rugs, and elegant period furnishings creating an authentic luxury accommodation experience for Otago Central Rail Trail cyclists

Olivers of Clyde: The Heart of Luxury Cycling Experiences in Central Otago

Experience timeless charm and boutique comfort at Olivers of Clyde, a beautifully restored heritage lodge in Central Otago. Enjoy elegant accommodation, exceptional dining, and a prime location near the Otago Central Rail Trail and renowned vineyards, making it an ideal base for a relaxed and memorable cycling escape.
Cartoon illustration of a globe titled "The Worlds Most Beautiful Rail Trails for Cycling - Momentum Magazine" across a banner at the top. Wooden signposts with names of rail trails are planted on different continents: "Otago Central Rail Trail" with a kiwi bird icon on New Zealand, "Great Victorian Rail Trail" on Australia, "P'tit Train du Nord" and "Kettle Valley Rail Trail" on North America, "Great Allegheny Passage" on North America, and "La Loire à Vélo" and "Vennbahn" on Europe. The globe shows blue oceans, green landmasses, and white clouds under a sunny sky.

World Recognition Meets Local Ambition

Discover how the Otago Central Rail Trail combines global recognition with strong local vision. Ride through historic landscapes, remarkable engineering, and welcoming Central Otago towns while experiencing one of New Zealand’s most celebrated cycling journeys. Learn why this trail continues to inspire riders from around the world.
A vintage-style scrapbook montage titled "NEW ZEALAND TRAIL TALES" set against an aged map background with tire tracks. It features four photographs with handwritten labels: Top left is a girl biking by a blue lake labeled "ROXBURGH GORGE TRAIL"; top right is an aerial view of a cyclist on a boardwalk at sunset labeled "CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL"; bottom left is a woman and two children on a cargo bike outside a green shed labeled "OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL"; bottom right is a woman crossing a suspension bridge on a bike labeled "LAKE DUNSTAN TRAIL". Arrows connect the photos.

The Otago Bike Trail: Central Otago’s Expanding TrailTopia

Discover Central Otago’s growing network of connected bike trails, where multiple Great Rides and local routes link together in one seamless journey.
Matthew, the lead mechanic at SheBikesHeBikes, cycling along a dramatic cliffside section of the Lake Dunstan Trail. He is riding an e-bike on a narrow, engineered pathway that clings to the rugged rock face, with the vast, deep blue waters of the lake and the rolling Otago mountains visible in the background under a bright, clear sky.

Queenstown Bike Rental: 3 Central Otago Rides Worth the Short Drive

Staying in Queenstown and looking for rewarding rides beyond the busy lakefront? Discover three memorable cycling routes just a short drive away in Central Otago. From relaxed lakeside trails to quiet country scenery, each ride offers easy access, beautiful landscapes, and a refreshing taste of the region’s slower pace and open spaces.
A cartoon infographic titled "THE UNEXPECTED JOY OF NZ CYCLING: PURE, STRESS-FREE CHILL!". The left panel, marked with red Xs and titled "SOME OTHER PLACES," shows a worried cyclist visualizing threats labeled "SNAKES," "CROCS," "DANGEROUS SPIDERS," and "CLUSTER FLIES." The right panel, marked with green checkmarks and titled "NEW ZEALAND: PURE RELAXATION," shows happy cyclists enjoying the outdoors with speech bubbles reading "SIT IN THE LONG GRASS!", "SWIM WITHOUT FEAR!", "SPRAWL OUT LUNCH STOPS!", and "SOAK IN THE LANDSCAPES!". A banner at the bottom reads, "IT’S PURE, STRESS-FREE OUTDOOR TIME! (BECAUSE NZ’S GOT YOUR BACK)".

What is the Easiest Cycle Trail in New Zealand? The Otago Central Rail Trail: Where Every Stop is a Reunion

Looking for an easy, unforgettable cycle trail in New Zealand? The Otago Central Rail Trail offers gentle gradients, stunning scenery, welcoming towns, and best of all, no snakes or dangerous wildlife. Perfect for relaxed riders of all abilities, every stop feels like a warm reunion with history, hospitality, and the Central Otago landscape.
Image of a Savage media Card available at shebikeshebikes

Jaw Dropping SavageMedia Cards Now in Stock

SavageMedia cards are now available at our Central Otago depots in Clyde and Middlemarch. These sharp, funny and memorable cards stand out from typical souvenirs and make great gifts or keepsakes after a cycling trip. They’re hard to find outside a few select stockists and are easy to tuck into your bag for later.
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