Mountain biking an old rail trail, in an hour, a morning, a whole day or even the weekend.....

The weather was sunny and unusually warm for a winters day. Signs of spring were appearing everywhere with young lambs clambering around in fields, blossom on the trees, and the birds singing and chasing each other with greater ferocity.

I’d parked up at Lincoln to join the Little River Rail Trail. The whole trail is nearly 50km in length and is designed to be ridden over a day or so. It’s easily broken up into sections though and today I was starting in Lincoln to begin the trail through the quiet country roads and laneways, passing the lambs and horses grazing in the fields. Chickens were also encountered as they clucked their way about along the track.

After about 5km’s I came to the part of the trail that is off road, meeting up with the Halswell Canal that feeds the wetlands being redeveloped and planted in the area. Magpies nesting in the trees overhead came periously close to my head as I rode along, warning me to keep away from their territory and eggs. Besides the cycle track grasses teamed with life insects and bees buzzing in my ear. Paradise Shell Ducks called out their tune to one another, partnered up, the black heads are male and the white heads female, they are always together, as are groups of Pukeko, the royal blue coloured native birds with red beaks who seem so reluctant to fly even though they are clearly capable.

Little River Rail Trail can be completed in stages or one go - it’s great for both biking and walking

Eventually I came to a narrow bridge crossing the river taking me down a stone covered road past various houses and farms. A department of conservation nursery and campsite sat alongside the local race track. The Motokarara Station has been restored and relocated and sits as the entranceway for another section of the rail trail. I decided to turn back at this point to retract my bike ride to the car. This time I was cycling into the wind which made it slightly harder but the vision of the snow capped Southern Alps prominent in the distance on this clear day lured me onwards.

The Little River Rail Trail was established in the mid 2000’s and follows the former Little River Branch Railway Line that linked the farming area with Christchurch city centre. The line was operative between 1875 to 1967. Signs along the trail display details of its heritage.