After a short transfer to Springs Junction we ease into our bikes – taking the secondary route and 4×4 roads following the Matakitaki River to Murchison. 

Cycling Distance: 76km

We climb over the Braeburn Range and drop into Nelson Lakes National Park and Lake Rotoroa. Our final destination is the lovely St Arnaud village.

Cycling Distance: 74km

We climb over the Braeburn Range and drop into Nelson Lakes National Park and Lake Rotoroa. Our final destination is the lovely St Arnaud village.

Cycling Distance: 74km

We depart St Arnaud on quiet back roads through small farms and forestry blocks. Then we hook into the Great Taste Cycle Trail for the ride all the way to Nelson City. 

Cycling Distance: 98km

A short transfer out of Nelson and we begin our ride with a short section of highway then quiet gravel roads to Havelock. Here we boat to a mystery location in the Marlborough Sounds

Cycling Distance: 18km

The biggest day of the tour, we continue climbing up the Awatere Valley topping out at over 1100m.  Then its downriver and into the stunning and historical Molesworth Station through to Hanmer Springs thermal resort.

Cycling Distance: 42km

Picton to Blenheim via the scenic route, its up and down with stunning views. You’ll deserve glass of world class Marlborough vino when you arrive in Blenheim.

Cycling Distance: 69km

We take the back route out of Blenheim then link into the stunning Awatere Valley. It’s a big day of pedalling today as we gradually make our way up the valley to the remote Middlehurst Station.

Cycling Distance: 98km

Our final and biggest day of the tour, we continue climbing up the Awatere Valley topping out at over 1100m.  Then its downriver and into the stunning and historical Molesworth Station and through to Hanmer Springs thermal resort.

Cycling Distance: 104km

Our final breakfast together followed by a transfer back to Christchurch

YOU – RIDE . NAVIGATE . ENJOY . EAT . SLEEP .

WE PROVIDE:

• Daily ride information.
• Digital navigation and cue notes.
• Mechanical and first aid support.
• Carry your luggage.
• Ride sweep.
• Sag Wagon.
• Breakfasts, lunches, water and riding snacks (and some dinners).
• All the logistics.
• And all Accommodation

We’ll sort the nitty gritty. Before your tour begins, we will organise all the logistics and book all accommodation.  We will give you daily digital route maps, that you can follow on your phone or GPS, and route cue notes so that you can ride at your own pace, stop when you like to smell the roses and grab a coffee when the opportunity presents, while always knowing that we are there if you need us.

On tour, your awesome Escape Adventures support crew will have your breakfast ready for an early start and provide snacks for you to carry with you. They will provide daily ride information and ride sweep with first aid and mechanical support. Our support vehicle will carry your luggage, and on most days set up a ‘floating picnic lunch’ on route so that you can dine’n’dash and top up on water and snacks. The support vehicle is also there if you need first aid or mechanical support, or if you need a break from the saddle.

This cycle tour includes rides of 25-104km per day. Please do read about the daily riding distances taking note of the riding terrain in the itinerary and prepare accordingly. The more prepared you are the more you will enjoy your adventure! 

Preparing for your cycle tour should involve:

• Riding on gravel and unpaved terrain.
• Lots of hills!
• Ride 3-4 times a week with rides of 30-60km in length.   

Support: Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, has lunch, snacks and water at hand, and is there if you need a break from the saddle.

Included in your tour: All breakfasts and riding snacks, most lunches and three evening meals. (One lunch is not included).  The one lunch and most of the evening meals (as per the tour itinerary) are in places where there are dining and wining options available – therefore at your own cost and choosing. (This gives you more control over the cost of your tour AND spreads the love supporting local businesses!)  We are most definitely able to cater for vegetarians and special diets. If this includes you, it is essential to advise us of this before your tour begins, so that the support vehicle can be stocked with the necessary supplies.

Typical Included Meals:

•  Breakfasts – Fresh fruit, muesli, toast and spreads, hot drinks. 
•  Lunches – Picnic style lunches, fresh salads, cold meats, cheese & bread.
•  Snacks – Fresh fruit, salty snacks, home baking.

Accommodation is included for all 10 nights of the cycle tour. Our job is to explore and find the most fitting accommodation to work in with the riding route. The Marlborough Molesworth Epic is a remote, rural riding route and the availability of accommodation is limited, so on some nights only basic options are available. We will be staying in a combination of motels, hotels, lodges, a holiday house and a farm stay. Where possible we choose accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, however for some nights it will be necessary to share bathrooms.

Accommodation is on a share twin basis. If you’re traveling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another biker. If you do not wish to share a single supplement is available. *Single room options may be limited in some locations.

The ideal bike for the tour is a hardtail mountain bike or a touring bike with off road tyres. A gravel bike is also an option – but only if you are familiar with riding one on unpaved surfaces! You will need to be able to carry up to 1.5-2L water, a jacket and snacks in a backpack, front roll or frame bag.

Bike Hire

Escape Adventures have a small fleet of bikes and E-bikes available for hire in S M, L & XL. (Bookings Essential).

• Trek X-Caliber mountain bikes $300
• E-Bikes (Brand and Model TBC) – $700 (Available November 2023)

When you hire one of our bikes – they are maintained by us and kept in excellent running condition. Contact us if you plan on hiring a bike.

This trip has 6-12 bikers, plus two experienced Escape Adventures tour leaders.