Cycle bridge over Baton River opens
A cycle bridge over the Baton River has been completed, opening up a back-country section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail between Tapawera and Woodstock.
Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust chairperson Gillian Wratt said the completion of the bridge was exciting ‘‘and means that we now have 168km of back roads and purpose-built cycle trail to be enjoyed’’.
‘‘The Great Taste Trail can be ridden in short sections or as a three-to-five day loop, taking in the diversity of the region – from urban to rural, sparkling coastlines and the back blocks of Tasman,’’ Wratt said. ‘‘This new section of trail offers riders an experience that is different from the rest of the Great Taste Trail.’’
If riders sought valleys and mountains, ‘‘this section of the trail from Tapawera to Woodstock [via the Baton] is for you’’.
‘‘The ride is remote and picturesque, and a chance to be at one with nature amid vistas of the mountains, back-country farmlands, crystal clear rivers and big skies,’’ Wratt said.
Riders were urged to take care and keep left at all times as the trail between Tapawera and Woodstock was on a loose gravel rural road shared by other vehicles.
With few options for resupply between Tapawera and Riwaka, riders were also urged to make sure they fuelled up before starting. ‘‘That is both yourself and, if riding an e-bike, your battery.’’
From Tapawera, riders can travel along a 15km stretch up to the Baton Saddle, then descend to the new suspension bridge, which has been purpose-built for cyclists. The trail then follows Baton Valley Rd for 14km to Woodstock.
Tasman District deputy mayor Stuart Bryant said the new bridge was ‘‘very stable’’ for a suspension bridge.
Meanwhile, the popularity of the Great Taste Trail is on the up with 315,478 users recorded for the year ending June 2021, an 18% growth in usage.