Christchurch

Christchurch City has a collection of local rides and is a gateway for many to riding throughout the South Island.

It’s an exciting time to visit Christchurch: as the post-earthquakes rebuild has transformed the city and there is a lot to see and do. The inner city is easily explored by bike, and there’s a huge range of off-road options - including the nearby Port Hills trails.

Chill is located in central Christchurch and cover all bike-related needs including bike hire, sales, servicing and local knowledge.

Christchurch Dirt Features 

Backyard Bonanza – Urumau MTB park Lyttelton By Sam Masters

On your bike Mate by Stu Waddel

Tour de Tai Tapu by Roy Sinclair

In My Back Yard: The Christchurch 360 Trail by Bob Frame

Local Trails - Christchurch

Macleans Island

An easy going and well-built 10km single track loop suitable for the whole family. Approx. 2km east of the Christchurch International Airport. Bike hire available.

Bottle Lake Forest

A working pine forest with an extensive quantity of easy going single track suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. The main entrance is from Waitikiri Drive, off Burwood Road.

Local Trails - Port Hills

Greenwood Park/Anaconda

The partnership of these two tracks makes an amazing trail with views to match stretching from the Southern Alps to the Kaikoura ranges with some of our very own coastal cliffs added into the mix. This ride does test your technical abilities in places but offers great fast flowing track. 'Greenword Park track' starts approximately 200m from the top of Mt Pleasant Road where a small carpark is located. The track is well sign-posted and you'll descend to Evans Pass where you can connect to 'Godley Head track' (just past the cattle stop). Follow 'Godley Head track' to 'Breezes Col' where the 'Anaconda' starts (the first section of the track is shared use before you reach the sign 'Anaconda track'). You'll finish at Taylor Mistake's carpark and can either bike over the hill to Sumner and back up Evans Pass or retrace the the single track you've just done. This is a great winter trail which holds up well when other tracks may become boggy. 

Summit Road

After considerable work by contractors to clear rockfall hazards, and negotiation with private landowners, the Christchurch City Council repoened the summit road for walkers and bikers only between the top of Rapaki Track and the Bridle Path. The road remains closed to cars and motorbikes. 

Crocodile

A fun and snaking climb from Halswell Park Quarry with switchbacks. Be wary of downhill traffic as it’s a fun descent too. Crocodile joins up to Kennedy’s Bush Track which is one of the easiest off road options to reach the Summit Road. Note, closed during lambing.

Victoria Park

Exit Flying Nun at the Sign of the Kiwi intersection. Ride east along the Summit Road and you’ll soon see a carpark and the top of ‘Vic Park’. Head downhill into the berm-fest of Break Free. Head for the gum trees and you’ll find Sesame St. With jumps, rocks, berms galore and wooden features it’s a fun track. This leads you to a pump track, continuing downhill you’ll find more fun single track until you reach Bowenvale 4WD Track and your way out of the hills. From here it’s about a 9km road bash back to Halswell Park Quarry.

Flying Nun

Fast and flowing single track with jumps, paved bermed corners and technical sections. It's a track that you’ll usually do a couple of times in a day, take the Summit Road back to Marley Hill Track and press replay. This trail is now included in the Christchurch Adventure Park network too so you can access from the comfort of their high speed lift and link up with some epic downhill in the trees back to the CAP base.

Christchurch Adventure Park 'CAP'

The Christchurch Adventure Park is set on 358 private hectares in Christchurch’s Port Hills. The park is open year-round and has a chairlift specifically designed for mountain bikes giving access to a mix of machine and hand-built MTB trails. The views over the Canterbury Plains from the lift and on the ride down are stunning. The beginners tracks give an awesome introduction to downhill mountain biking with big fun berms and features to warm up on and from here there is plenty to get the stoke levels up for all abilities.

ccc.govt.nz/transport/cycling/find-a-ride/trackstatus

 

Accommodation

Commodore Hotel

The Commodore is an ideal place to start and finish your Mainland snow experience. Located moments from Christchurch Airport, with free 24hour shuttle service.

Ph: +64 4 458 8129
Web: commodorehotel.nz
E: info@commodorehotel.nz
Address: 449 Memorial Ave, Christchurch Airport

 

Christchurch Classic Motel & Apartments

An 8-minute walk from the University of Canterbury campus, this straightforward motel in the neighbourhood of Riccarton is 4.8 km from Canterbury Museum and 5.2 km from the city centre's Cathedral Square.

Simple, modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, plus work desks, and kitchenettes with minifridges, microwaves, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Some have whirlpool baths; 1- to 3-bedroom apartments add full kitchens and separate living areas. In-room breakfast is available (fee).

Ph:+64 3 341 1280
Web:www.christchurchclassic.co.nz
E:welcome@christchurchclassic.co.nz
Address:280 Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton 8041