Local Mountain Bike News
Queenstown Cycleway 19th Aug 2010This is more great news about the New Zealand National Cycleway progression ins the South Island. This is a copy of the Official Press Release:
Queenstown Trail receives $1.83 million from New Zealand Cycle Trail project Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project will sign its contract for the new Queenstown Trail at a formal event in Queenstown today. The Queenstown Trail is a joint initiative of the Wakatipu Trails Trust, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, and the New Zealand Cycle Trail project. New Zealand Cycle Trail Programme Manager John Dunn says the Wakatipu Trails Trust had done an excellent job on the planning for the Queenstown Trail making today’s contract signing possible. “I see the Queenstown Trail as a platform for economic development,” Mr Dunn says. “The cycle trails are important in their own right, but at the end of the day the Government is making a $1.83 million investment in the Queenstown region.” “This contract will help accomplish the goals of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project which are to generate lasting economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand communities through a network of world class cycling experiences.” “Tourists will be attracted to the Queenstown Trail because of the iconic mountain scenery and the existing tourism attractions such as the wineries and the Kawarau Bungy venture. Equally as important will be the ability of locals to use the trails recreationally and to commute to and from work,” he added. Queenstown Lakes District Council Chief Executive Debra Lawson has hailed the Queenstown Trail as a catalyst, which will bring lasting economic benefits for the region. Wakatipu Trails Trust CEO Kaye Parker says the community is right behind this exciting project. “This is evidenced by the recent $90,000 Wakatipu Trail Blazer event. We are confident that we will get the ongoing financial support to meet our co-funding obligations.” The Queenstown Trail includes 87km of new and existing cycle trails. Surrounded by Queenstown’s mountain ranges the trail follows lakes, rivers, country lanes and takes in the internationally renowned wine making district of Gibbston. Cyclists will be able to choose from a variety of trails and there are many options to stay in Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Gibbston or in accommodation along the trail.
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National Cycleway Twizel 2nd AugThis letter is about the National Cycleway, Alps to Ocean section through Twizel, published in the Twizel Update, August 2010. It was written by Vernon Reid:
Dear Twizel Residents, Update Readers and fellow mountain bikers, I have heard along the trail that some of you are concerned the recently approved Alps to Ocean Cyleway will not include Twizel! I can assure you Twizel is, always has been and will continue to be a central part of the Alps to Ocean Cycleway. As Phillip Brownie, General Manager, Mt Cook Mackenzie Development Trust told the Timaru Herald in July, Twizel was a part of the very first cycleway idea that was to go through Burkes Pass and onto Twizel. The final concept of a cycleway now starts at the iconic Mt Cook and goes all the way down the Waitaki Valley to the Pacific Ocean. This concept of the ‘Alps to Ocean’ cycelway has been accepted by the Ministry of Tourism for funding. As for the cycleway route in the Twizel area, it will come down the eastern side of Lake Pukaki and then follow the already established Department of Conservation track across the Pukaki Flats to emerge at the picnic area just north of the Twizel River road bridge, which it crosses to link with the cycle track that Meridian Energy have put in place from Twizel to their offices south of the town (at this point that cyclists can come and go from Twizel as they need). South of Meridian Energy offices the cycleway will continue across the Ruataniwha Dam and canal bridge, it will then loop under the canal bridge to follow along the southern shore of Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Ohau until reaching Lake Ohau Lodge. Phil Brownie and all the Alps to Ocean Cycleway group deserve big congratulations for investing over two and half thousand hours, countless miles and meetings to get a comprehensive application into the Ministry of Tourism on time and approved, 41 other applications did not receive funding. Now the hard work continues to get the Alps to Ocean cycleway plan implemented so that it meets the benefits to the local economies, communities and visitors as is outlined by the criteria for every cycleway that receives the Ministries funding. The Alps to Ocean cycleway will take 5 years to fully form with regards to all the facilities needed and during this time it is planned that communities, businesses and regional authorities will be able to invest in improving the routes, promoting their part in the cycleway so as to bet benefit their communities and listen to the reaction of those using the cycleway to improve the trail, facilities and services as may be needed. We will all have time if we desire to be involved and although it may have appeared that information was not forth coming, I am sure that was not the intention of the cycleway group, they had to do a huge amount of work very quickly to ensure the proposal was completed on time. The Alps to Ocean cycleway is planned to open October 2011, you will be able to access lots of information online in a couple of months, but for now I am happy to discuss what I know with anyone and soon I should be receiving copies of the full cycleway route, which will also be made available through public documents for everyone interested to look at and I recommend you do take time to know about the Alps to Ocean cycleway, it will have so many positive effects for our town and region that are yet to be realised, that I firmly believe we give it our 100% support! Happy Trails, Vernon Reid
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