Spin-offs on cards from cycle network

ON THE ROUTE: Rob Irwin, Chairman of Trails Wairarapa Trust, on the 67km Wairarapa Valley Cycleway, which links Masterton with the Rimutaka Cycle Trail via Homebush, Martinborough and Lake Wairarapa. PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa is set to benefit from three cycling touring routes linking with the New Zealand Cycle Trail network.

Rob Irwin, chairman of Trails Wairarapa Trust, is excited about working with Destination Wairarapa to promote the routes that connect with the New Zealand Cycle Trails "Great Rides" including the Rimutaka Cycle Trail, Mountains to Sea and Hawke's Bay Trails.

The routes are the Wairarapa Valley Trail, a 190km ride from Palmerston North to the Rimutaka Rail Trail, the 202km Route 52 Trail linking Waipukurau to Masterton and the 67km Wairarapa Valley Cycleway, which links Masterton with the Rimutaka Cycle Trail via Homebush, Martinborough and Lake Wairarapa.

Mr Irwin expects the connecting trails to become a strong tourism draw card.

"Based on the success of other Great Rides around New Zealand, I think we can expect to see more cycle tourism in the region in the future.

"The three connecting routes will make it easier and safer for cyclists to get to Wairarapa and then allow them to experience all the other activities on offer here."

Mr Irwin said the cycle routes were mapped out based on the "safest and most convenient routes", linking up existing trails and rides.

The trail development has taken three years to complete and was done with the support of local councils.

The connecting routes pass through Masterton, Gladstone, Martinborough and Featherston - including crossing the Waihenga and Tauherenikau bridges.

Trails Wairarapa Trust will work with Destination Wairarapa and the councils to raise safety awareness and tolerance from both cyclists and drivers.

"As more cyclists take to our roads we need to make sure they and fellow road users safely share the road and respect one another."

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock says there was already evidence of new tourism operators opening up to support trail visitors.

These include Te Rakau Birding, and Lake Meadows accommodation and Western Lake Woolshed accommodation.