At Olde Mill House Bicycle Hire in Renwick, you can hire a push bike or tandem bike for the day. The bikes are designed specifically for road use, so it’s comfy riding all the way.

Exploring the vineyards on a bike is great fun, because you get to indulge in the local food and wine, while keeping fit at the same time!

If you’re lucky enough to stay at Olde Mill House (a former timber mill, built in 1929, which has been restored to provide quality accommodation while in keeping with its character) you will also have the opportunity to relax in the outdoor spa – with a glass of wine, of course!

Once your bottle of wine is empty, it can join all the other empty bottles, taking pride of place in the wine rack next door. Seeing the bottles stacked up high is an impressive sight and a good talking point amongst the travellers who pass through.

Renwick is about 30 minutes from Picton (Marlborough Sounds) and about 30 minutes from Havelock (famous for its green shell mussels).

For more information on how to rent a bike for the day around Renwick, visit Olde Mill House Bicycle Hire.

The Forrest Grape Ride through the Marlborough Sounds and wine region takes place. The 101 km circuit caters for all ages with a range of race categories. It promises be a great day out whether you’re a competitor or a spectator.

The post Renwick. Take To The Vineyards – On Your Bike! appeared first on Bike Travel - Life is Movement.

Here, you’ll find some helpful tips for your bike trip.

The route

It’s a good idea to find out where you want to ride. The route should determine how much you’re going to see, the quality of the roads, and the amount of money you’re going to spend. So choose it wisely. Consider the length of the route per day, terrain, number of days, sightseeing spots, etc.

Money

Remember: anything can happen on the road, so budget for contingencies like bike repairs or an unplanned overnight stay. As for expenses, you should count on about $15 per day. And that’s assuming that you’ll cook for yourself, and live exclusively in the tent. For more money, say, 30-50 per day you can afford to spend the night in hotels, go to museums, and have lunch in cafes.

Tools for repairing

It’s important to have minimal bike repair skills and a set of appropriate tools. Be prepared to tape up a tube if a tire gets punctured, or straighten a steering column after a fall. Do not go on a distant bike trip on a used bike without the slightest idea of how to fix it. Of course, the locals can help you, but there are situations where you have to rely solely on yourself.

What you need to buy for the trip

• A bicycle lock. Without it, there is a great chance to lose the bike. Although with it such chances exist too.

• Flashlights. Drivers can safely bypass you, only if they see in advance.

• A portable pump to inflate the wheel after a blowout.

• Cycling shorts and gloves.

• A bicycle canteen and an anchorage for it.

Enough amount of food and water

Cycling takes a lot of energy and burns hundreds, if not thousands of calories. Therefore, healthy, calorie-dense foods are needed to keep you going. This can be bananas, peanut butter, or apples. It’s also important to control your body’s water balance because if you’re dehydrated, your blood will clot, your heart rate will rise, and you’ll find that a generally pleasant ride can lead to health problems. Plan to drink at regular intervals, such as every 15 minutes.

Important: study the countries for local foods as well as the gifts of nature (berries, mushrooms, etc). Also, it is equally important to assemble a first aid kit consisting of medicines, descriptions of the area of action by disease, doses, the necessary amount depending on the number of participants in the hike.

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