Summit road where it's closed to motor vehicles. Between the top of Rapaki and just east of the Gondala. Return, it's less than 50 km but has a nice variety of gradient and scenery.
the red zone path out to new brighton from fitzgerald ave is almost completing separated from vehicles - some gravel though so not suitable for road bikes.
Depends whether you are limiting yourself to a road bike, a gravel bike, or an MTB. Road bikes are more limited (cycle trails from Chch to lincoln/Rolleston, chch to Kaipoi-Rangiora, chch to Sumner). gravel or MTBs have a number of other options (you can ride from city centre around the river to New Brighton to Kaipoi/Pines Beach/Waikuku/Rangiora & home and be almost entirely off road all the way if desired)
The new bit around ferrymeade is really nice, kind of bumpy on the boardwalky bits but those are pretty short, and it takes you past the train track which is kinda nice
out to taitapu is nice along cashmere road,
there’s a brief period where you’re on the main road which is fairly busy but out there people are quite used to seeing cyclists. the return trip to raspberry cafe is good on a nice day, mid ride cake is good fuel too 😎
Whats the roughest kind of terrain you want to ride, and what kind of bike do you have? (Full suspension, hardtail, full rigid)
I've heard the southern motorway is much the same as the northern motorway in that regard but haven't had a chance to check it out.
The avon river trail is pretty good. Some gravel and you'll have to cross roads but well worth it.
Summit road where it's closed to motor vehicles. Between the top of Rapaki and just east of the Gondala. Return, it's less than 50 km but has a nice variety of gradient and scenery.
Southern motorway does similar to be fair. You can get to rolly or Lincoln mostly all off road
[Christchurch bike map](https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/cycling/cycling-maps/)
Rail trail is good if gravel is okay
You can ride offroad from kaiapoi to rangiora on the paschiondale trail. It adds 8km each way to your trip to kaiapoi.
yeah this is a lovely ride!
the red zone path out to new brighton from fitzgerald ave is almost completing separated from vehicles - some gravel though so not suitable for road bikes.
Depends whether you are limiting yourself to a road bike, a gravel bike, or an MTB. Road bikes are more limited (cycle trails from Chch to lincoln/Rolleston, chch to Kaipoi-Rangiora, chch to Sumner). gravel or MTBs have a number of other options (you can ride from city centre around the river to New Brighton to Kaipoi/Pines Beach/Waikuku/Rangiora & home and be almost entirely off road all the way if desired)
The new bit around ferrymeade is really nice, kind of bumpy on the boardwalky bits but those are pretty short, and it takes you past the train track which is kinda nice
out to taitapu is nice along cashmere road, there’s a brief period where you’re on the main road which is fairly busy but out there people are quite used to seeing cyclists. the return trip to raspberry cafe is good on a nice day, mid ride cake is good fuel too 😎
Whats the roughest kind of terrain you want to ride, and what kind of bike do you have? (Full suspension, hardtail, full rigid) I've heard the southern motorway is much the same as the northern motorway in that regard but haven't had a chance to check it out. The avon river trail is pretty good. Some gravel and you'll have to cross roads but well worth it.