New Zealand Bike Ride #1: Motu Dunes Trail, Opotiki, North Island

 The Motu Dunes Trail is one of the 22 Great Rides.  While staying in the beach town of Ohope, we made the 40 min. drive over to Opotiki and rented bikes from Motu Cycle Trails, which was close the trail entry.  Early in the trail, we encountered our first - of what would become many in New Zealand – suspension bridge.  We quickly discovered that in addition to riding on the opposite (left) side, bikes are installed with the brakes on opposite sides (so the left bike is the rear bike). This easy trail got us warmed up on mountain bikes, as we realized how even small hills on a mountain bike can require more dramatic shifting than on our road bikes.

This beautiful trail follows the coastline so we were treated to constant views of amazingly empty summertime beaches.  The trail threw in fun surprises like a boardwalk through marshland.  

Once the gravel trail ends, the trail continues on a very lightly trafficked road and connects with some of the intermediate trails in the hills.  We rode the road for about a mile and then turned around for our return.  One of the options would have been to take the bike rental’s shuttle up to the top of the hills and ride down through the intermediate trails to the Motu Dunes trail.

Since we hadn’t prepared a picnic lunch, we returned after 17 miles to Opotiki where we got a fish lunch at a local fish shop / restaurant.  We contemplated more afternoon riding but the jet lag kicked in so we decided this was a great warm up ride for what would come next.  We also realized the distance you can do on a mountain bike pales to what you can do on a road bike.