General:

How much is it to rent a bike?
  • Please click here to find all our rental rates, including for E-Bikes.
 
Do we have to reserve bikes?
  • There is no need to reserve bikes as we have plenty hardtail mountain bikes. You should however make a reservation if: you are booking for a big group, have lots of kids in your group, are interested in full suspension or E-Bikes and/or are renting during busy periods (Christmas, Easter, holidays) to avoid disappointment.
 
Do we have to bring our own helmet and cycling gloves?
  • No, both a helmet and gloves are included when renting a bike.
 
Do you do bike repairs?
  • No, apart from our rental fleet we don’t service bikes.
 
Do you have kid’s seats or tag alongs?
  • Yes, we do have both. Please make sure you book these as we have limited numbers available. Weight limit for a kid’s seat is 20kg and children still need good balance to be able to ride on a tag along (i.e. off training wheels).
 
Do you have kids’ rates?
  • Yes! Our rates for kids are based on bike size (not age!). We have 18-, 20- and 24-inch kids bikes available. Once they are riding on adult bikes, we will charge adult rates.
 
How do we contact you?  
Where are you located?
  • You can find us in Ohakune town centre, right next to the pharmacy @ 27 Goldfinch St.
 
 
Ohakune Old Coach Road:
 
What is the cost for this ride?
  • To find all costing for this trip please click here.
 
Should I book this trip in advance?
  • We strongly suggest you book this trip in advance via our website, please click here to do so. This ride can be very busy during the summer biking season, so booking online confirms your required date and time.
 
When do shuttles run to the start of the Old Coach Road (Horopito)?
  • If you haven’t booked this trip through our website, shuttles will still run on demand, if you’ve just missed one it takes approx. 20-25 minutes for it to come back (bookings recommended for busy times like Christmas and Easter to avoid delays).
 
I am set on a certain time; can I book the shuttle?
  • Yes, please contact us via email or phone (0800 BIKING) to make a booking and we should be able to confirm a time (subject to prior bookings).

Is there a minimum number for the shuttle?
  • Yes, the minimum is 2. Or if you are on your own, we can transport you at the cost of 2 riders (unless other riders are already booked).
 
How long does it take to ride the Old Coach Road?
  • On average it takes about 3 hours at a leisurely speed from Horopito back to Ohakune (very historic ride, so lots of signs to read). Plan more time if you are riding with children and less if you are riding on E-Bikes.
 
Can children ride the Old Coach Road?
  • Yes, children can ride this track. They should have moderate biking skills and it helps if they have done some off-road mountain biking before. If they are very young (between 6yo and 10yo) it’s trial and error, they may love it or hate it.
 
What grade is this ride?
  • This ride is a Grade 2. It is bumpy in parts (cobblestones) and has some tight turns, so moderate biking skills are ideal.
 
Do I have to pay a deposit when booking the Old Coach Road?
  • No, we don’t require a deposit. Payment can be made on the day (cash, eftpos or credit card). We just ask that you let us know should your numbers or plans change.
 
What if the weather is terrible on the day of our ride?
  • This track can be ridden rain or shine (60% is in the bush). Usually we can be very flexible and change your booking last minute to a different time or day should it be too awful (subject to availability).
 
Can we cycle this track both ways?
  • Yes, this is a two-way track. Most people ride from Horopito back to Ohakune (70% downhill) but if you are after some exercise, you can certainly ride both ways. Or why not try one of our E-Bikes to make it easier (but certainly not less fun)?
 
Do you supply a map?
  • Yes! We supply a map as well as a detailed briefing at the start of your ride.
 
Will we have reception while riding?
  • Yes, there is cell phone coverage throughout the ride.
 
Can we ride this track with a tag along or kid’s seat?
  • Yes, this is possible. Just keep in mind that parts of the ride are quite bumpy, so your children need to be happy with that (weight limit for kid’s seats is 20kg).
 
What do we need to bring?
  • We recommend 750ml of water per person, snacks and a light rain coat, just in case.
 
Can I ride this track on my road/city bike?
No! Road and city bikes are not recommended as their tyres are too narrow to cope with the track conditions.
 
 
 
Bridge to Nowhere/Mangapurua Track

What is the cost for this trip?
  • To find all costing for this trip please click here.
 
Is there a minimum number for this trip?
  • Yes, the minimum for this is 3 riders. However, we can still transport 2 riders (subject to availability) at a cost of $180pp or we may have a group booked for the same day already and can add you at standard cost. We don’t transport single riders as this is a remote isolated ride.
 
Do we have to book this in advance?
  • Yes! As we have to book the jet boat you need to book this trip at least a day before you want to ride. Please contact us for bookings. We require a few details. Payments are made on the day for this ride.
 
Is this track rideable all year round?
  • No! This track is very weather dependent and can be cancelled last minute due to poor weather conditions and/or the river being too high. This track is often closed during winter months. We normally only service this track between November and May.
 
What grade is this ride?
  • This ride is a Grade 3 ride. It has some climbing as well as downhill, is bumpy in parts, some riding is on single track and past bluffs (which have been majorly widened in the past). Moderate off-road mountain biking skills are necessary, and everyone needs to be able to sit on a bike for 38km. This track can get muddy after rain.
 
Are E-Bikes allowed on this track?
  • Yes, you can ride this track on an E-Bike.
 
Do we have reception?
  • No! There is one point where some riders have reception (Mangapurua Trig), but other than that there is no service. Therefore, we will supply a GPS SPOT tracker (1 per group) to monitor your progress. The tracker also has an emergency function (medical emergencies only!!!!) and is included in the rates.
 
Do we have to book the jet boat ourselves?
  • No! If you book our Bridge to Nowhere bike package, we will take care of all transport.
 
Can children ride this track?
  • Taking children on this track is not advisable. They would need very good off-road biking skills and would have to have proven to be able to ride a bike for 38km. Therefore, we recommend taking no riders on this track younger than 13yo.
 
Do you supply a map?
  • Yes! We supply a map as well as a detailed briefing at the start of your ride.
 
What do we need to bring?
  • You will need at least 1.5 litres of water per person, all your food for the day and a light rain coat (just in case and for the jet boat ride at the end of the day) as well as a repair kit ideally including bike pump, spare tube, tyre levers and a chain breaker and links. If you are renting a bike with us, a repair kit will come with your rental.
 
Can I ride this track on my road/city bike?
  • No! Road and city bikes are not suitable as their tyres are too narrow to cope with the track conditions. Mudguards are also not recommended as they clog up with mud and also unsuitable are panniers (single lane swing bridges to navigate). 
 
Mountains to Sea ride
 
What is the best time of the year to ride the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail?
  • Mid November – April. Outside of these times, parts of the trail are very wet and muddy, and the jet boat operators run a very limited service to shuttle people from the Mangapurua landing to Pipiriki.
 
What is the minimum number of riders for this trip?
  • Our minimum number is 2.
 
What is the maximum number of riders for this trip?
  • Our maximum number is 14, however this depends on the make up of your group (14 single riders won’t work due to sleeping arrangements in the lodges).
 
Do you join separate groups together?
  • No, we don’t join separate groups together or add single riders to existing groups.
 
Do you offer different programmes?
  • Yes! There is a wide range of different programmes (2-5 days, budget versions as well as full packages, optional 2-hour canoe etc). To find all the options on our website, please click here.
 
How do I book?
  • Once you’ve decided what programme you are after, please email us on info@mountainbikestation.co.nz to start the booking process. If you are looking at booking a large group or would like to discuss a few things, it might be easier to have a chat over the phone. Please call us on 0800 BIKING.
 
Do you require a deposit?
  • Once all accommodation is reserved, we will require a non-refundable $500 per person deposit ($300pp for 2- and 3-day programmes). We will email a link to our deposit page when the time comes. Depending on your programme a second $500pp deposit (also non-refundable) may be payable 30 days prior to tour start. We will inform you about this when booking. The remaining cost is payable on day 1 of your programme (Visa or Mastercard , eftpos, cash).
 
 
What kind of accommodation will you book for us for this trip?
  • There are a few different options available and accommodation depends on the programme you’ve chosen. The full package includes Lodge/Cottage style accommodation. Depending on the make up of your group and availability some accommodation may be shared, and all programmes include at least some stays with shared facilities. If you choose the budget or ‘Bare Bones’ option, accommodation will be backpacker/cabin/cottage style and may also be shared. Click here for more details.

How is the luggage transported and what are the luggage limits?
  • The luggage is transported by van and must stand ready for pick-up by approx. 8 a.m. and will be at the next accommodation by approx. 4 p.m.
    1 bag per person, no more than 15kg please. 
    NOTE:If staying at the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge, your luggage will be transported in the jet boat. If you've booked the full package with us, then we will provide 1 dry bag per person for this leg of the journey.
     
Can we choose to have separate rooms?
  • Yes, there is the option of accommodation in separate rooms. However, this depends on availability and a $50 per person per night single room supplement applies.
 
What kind of food does the full package include?
  • The full package includes dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch (except for stays in Ohakune if applicable to your group). The providers cook the meals, we don’t organise those. Some meals are shared and/or buffet style.
 
What if I’m allergic to certain foods?
  • We will ask you about food allergies and if you are the organiser of a large group, please advise your fellow riders to forward food allergies to us as soon as possible. We then forward the information to the providers. Please note: Due to the remoteness of the providers they are limited in what they can offer. Below is a list of diets they can cater for (plus they can work around whatever allergy you may have, e.g. nut allergy):

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Pescetarian
  • Gluten Free (coeliac)
  • Dairy Free
  • NORMAL
 
Can we hire bikes for this trip with you?
  • Yes! We offer standard hardtail mountain bikes, Avanti E-Bikes, ‘fat’ E-Bikes (super wide tyres for extra traction/stability) as well as full suspension E-Bikes. Please click here to find the costing on our website.
 
Do we need to reserve bikes for this trip?
  • If you are after standard hardtail mountain bikes you don’t need to reserve them (unless you are riding during busy times like Christmas or Easter or are unusually tall 😊). For all other bikes we will require your height to be able to reserve the correct size for you.
 
Can we ride with panniers?
  • Given the nature of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail, it’s very difficult to ride a bike fitted with panniers on certain parts of the trail (ie: Mangapurua track, due to the narrow swing bridges). It’s recommended not to carry panniers, if you must we recommend a bike rack with a very narrow profile dry bag on top instead.
 
What if the weather is horrible?
  • Most parts of this ride can be ridden in any weather. The only track that can get dangerous during bad weather is the Bridge to Nowhere/Mangapurua track. We are usually able to come up with a plan b and swap days around to make it work for you. If the Mangapurua is not rideable or closed, there is also a work around for this. We will be in touch with you closer to your ride should the weather forecast be bad.
 
Will you provide us with maps or further details about this trip?
  • Yes! Once your booking is confirmed we will email a pdf itinerary to you. On day 1 we start with a thorough 45-minute briefing and will also supply maps for every day. We will also give other detailed briefings most days for the section you are riding on that day.
 
Do you offer guided tours?
  • No, all our Mountains to Sea programmes are self-guided.
 
Can we book only the shuttle to the start and pick up at the end through you and organise everything else ourselves?
  • You can. However, you MUST have all accommodation, food (if not booked through accommodation provider) and jet boat transfer (unless booked through us) pre-organised. There is NO reception anywhere on this ride, neither will you find cafes. It is very advisable to carry an e-pirb (personal locator beacon) with you in case of an emergency. Shuttle services to start and finish only don’t include any maps or our knowledge of the ride (this is so we can keep shuttle costs low for you and to keep it fair for the riders that are paying for our packages), so you must pick them up from an i-Site before you leave. When organising this trip yourselves, it is CRUCIAL that you know exactly what you are getting yourselves into before you head off!! Please also be aware that weather conditions can change at any time and without warning, so be prepared! To find costing for our shuttle services please click here or if you require luggage transfers only between providers please click here.
 
Do we have reception on this trip?
  • No! You will lose cell phone coverage as soon as you start heading into the valleys (not long after you leave Ohakune). Therefore, we will supply a GPS SPOT tracker (1 per group) to monitor your progress. The tracker also has an emergency function (medical emergencies only!!!!) and is included in the rates.
 
What is your Mountains to Sea cancellation policy?
  • Because we have made bookings on your behalf, cancellation (full refund) is not possible. These remote lodges have a limited period during the year to conduct their business and are almost never able to re-book nights short notice. It is normally possible to move a booking to a different date if enough notice is given (30+ days). We require a $500pp deposit (or $300pp for 2- and 3-day programmes) to confirm the booking.
If the trip is cancelled more than 30 days prior to tour start, we will refund $200pp.
If the trip is cancelled 7-30 days prior to tour start, we will be unable to refund any deposit money.
If the trip is cancelled 0-6 days prior to tour start, the full cost of the tour is payable.