RWNZ assault on Central Otago Rail Trail

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PRESS RELEASE
16 March 2006
For immediate release

RWNZ assault on Central Otago Rail Trail

“Fun, fitness and friendship” is the inspiration behind a group challenge to conquer the Otago Central Rail Trail next month.

One hundred Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) members plus their ‘support crew’ of 10, will be donning their bike shorts and trainers and setting off from Clyde to pedal or walk the historic rail route through to Middlemarch.

Pat Macaulay, RWNZ’s Regional Development Officer for Otago, issued the challenge to members last spring in a bid to boost members’ fitness and bring people together from throughout New Zealand for fun and friendship.

Since then women around the country have been equipping themselves with latest gel saddles and padded bike shorts, hoping to allay the inevitable sore behinds when they cycle the scenic 150 kilometre route. Others have been stepping out, in training for the long walk.

Steeped in history, the trail travels through magnificent rural scenery away from the main highways. The trail also leads past small towns and settlements that have been given a shot in the arm from large number of bikers and walkers who now frequent the trail for six months of the year.

At Hyde the RWNZ team of ‘walky talkies’ and ‘biking belles’ will be taking a well deserved rest at the Hyde Hotel. Boarded up for years, the hotel has been refurbished by RWNZ member Ngaire Sutherland, and is now a popular stop on the Rail Trail.

The women will be stopping overnight at Omakau and Ranfurly and some may take the opportunity to visit the historic Hayes Engineering works at Oturehua en route.

ENDS

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