Marlborough Molesworth Epic
Nelson - Marlborough Sounds - Molesworth Station - Nelson Lakes NP - Nelson
The Marlborough Molesworth Epic is quite possibly the perfect cycle tour, combining some of the best and contrasting riding locations in the top of the South Island including the Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough wine tasting, the mighty Molesworth Station and the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park.
This diverse cycle tour includes the very remote and quiet roads of the Marlborough Sounds, the challenging, equally remote and vast Molesworth Station, and winding back to Nelson City through the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park - all balanced with a relaxing day of wine tasting by bike. And of course we include plenty of quirky extras and special places in the true Escape Adventures' style. This is a fully supported loop trip - ex Nelson so you can ride the Marlborough Molesworth Epic knowing that we have got your back!
*From November 2023 - the Marlborough Molesworth Epic will be starting and finishing in Christchurch city. The route will be exactly the same with the first and last nights in Hanmer instead of Nelson.
What is “Fully Supported”?
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.
Contact us for More Info or To Register your Interest.
This Summer
Meeting Point: Nelson City
Ride Start: Pelorus
Ride Finish: Nelson
Finish: Nelson City
From November 2023
Meeting Point: Christchurch City
Ride Start: Hanmer Springs
Ride Finish: Hanmer Springs
Finish: Christchurch City
How does a 'Supported Cycle Tour' Work?
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
The Biking
- A total distance of 620km spread over 9 days of biking.
- This is a 'Pedal bike-centric’ cycle tour. Riding distances, tour pace and refreshment stops have been designed around the needs of pedal bikers. E-Bikers are also welcome to join.
- Daily riding distances have been planned to be achievable, (but not without challenge) and to allow plenty of time to explore along the way.
- We encourage an early start so that you have time to recharge at the end of the day.
- 25-104km riding per day on wonderfully remote and scenic riding route. Approximately 40% sealed roads / 50% quiet gravel roads and farm tracks and 10% cycle trails.
- There are some big climbs, big downs, undulating coastal terrain and of course there is also some flat terrain.
- Cycle trails and some of the rougher trail options have variable terrain and generally slow riding speed.Dirt/gravel road biking experience will add to the enjoyment of your tour.
Our ‘Sag Wagon’ support is available (most of the time) should you need a break from the saddle.
Bikes
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 (from November 2023) available for hire in S M L & XL. (Bookings Essential).
- Trek X-Caliber mountain bikes $300
- Avanti Competitor-E1 E-Bikes - $700
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.
Meals
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 Meals Include:
Breakfasts - Fresh fruit, muesli, toast and spreads, hot drinks. Cooked breakfast on occasions.
Lunches - Picnic style lunches, fresh salads, cold meats, cheese & bread.
Snacks - Fresh fruit, salty snacks, home baking.
Evening Meals - At your own cost / Prepared by your local accommodation on occasions.
Accommodation
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.
Preparation
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 below 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 other unpaved surfaces.
- Lots of hills!
- Riding 3-4 times a week with rides of 30-60km in length.
Itinerary: Nelson to Nelson
Day 1: Arrive in Nelson. Meet with your tour leaders & fellow bikers for your pre-departure meeting and first meal together.
Day 2: 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. 18km
Day 3: We explore this remote part of the Sounds, passing through quiet coastal communities and farmland. 46km
Day 4: We boat back across the sound and the back on our bikes, ride the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive / cycleway as we wind our way to Picton. 42km
Day 5: 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. 69km
Day 6: 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. 98km
Day 7: 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. 104km
Day 8: After a couple of big days and wide open spaces we dial it back a bit taking the secondary route and 4x4 roads following the Matakitaki River to Murchison. 76km
Day 9: 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. 74km
Day 10: 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 back to Nelson City. 98km
Day 11: Our final breakfast together for this tour.
Itinerary: Christchurch to Christchurch
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch. Afternoon transfer to Hanmer. Meet with your tour leaders & fellow bikers for your pre-departure meeting and first meal together.
Day 2: After a short transfer to Springs Junction we ease into our bikes - taking the secondary route and 4x4 roads following the Matakitaki River to Murchison. 76km
Day 3: 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. 74km
Day 4: 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. 98km
Day 5: 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. 18km
Day 6: We explore this remote part of the Sounds, passing through quiet coastal communities and farmland. 46km
Day 7: We boat back across the sound and the back on our bikes, ride the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive / cycleway as we wind our way to Picton. 42km
Day 8: 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. 69km
Day 9: 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. 98km
Day 10: 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. 104km
Day 11: Our final breakfast together followed by a transfer back to Christchurch
Trip Price
Marlborough Molesworth Epic: NZD $6,400
+Bike Hire $300
+E-Bike Hire $700 (from Nov 2023)
(Booking Essential)
Singles: You DON'T have to pay a single supplement!
- If you’re traveling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another biker.
- If you do not wish to share that is fine too, but a single supplement is available. $650
Included in your Tour:
- Vehicle transfer from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs return
- Vehicle transfer from Nelson to Marlborough Sounds
- 10 nights accommodation.
- Meals as per tour itinerary.
- Two Escape Adventures support crew
- Support vehicle & bike trailer.
Tour Price does NOT include: getting to and from Christchurch, optional activities, personal equipment & some meals as per the detailed itinerary.
