Interest in idea of cycle track

A plan to spend more than $1 million on a cycleway to twist over the Tararua Ranges, reaching heights of 570 metres, is under consideration, despite missing out on Government funding.

Dubbed "The Missing Link," the track would connect Shannon to Eketahuna, and organisations on both sides of the ranges are excited at the prospect.

Horowhenua District Council is putting together a working party to fund an $80,000 feasibility study into the idea of creating the 40km long and 2.5m wide track.

Strategic and corporate services manager David Clapperton said the track would cross 24km of Tararua Forest Park and require the building of a new track across mostly farmland on the Wairarapa side of the range.

The bulk of the funding for the study would come out of Horowhenua District Council and Tararua District Council's budgets, but the Department of Conservation, and possibly Horizons Regional Council, would also show support.

The group has to fund the study itself after missing out on money from the Ministry of Tourism.

Mr Clapperton sees the track as a tourism opportunity for the area that would also attract multi-sport athletes, combining activities within the Tararuas as well as between the hills and coast.

He said because there was a lack of quality cycling experiences, the region was losing cyclists to other areas and they could be attracted back by the cycleway.

"Tararua Forest Park is perceived as accessible only to the experienced outdoors person – the proposed trail presents a way for people of basic abilities to gain an insight into the natural features of the range."

Moderately fit cyclists should be able to do the crossing in one day, those less fit could go one way, stay overnight and then return the next day, he said.

The concept has businesses on both sides of the ranges excited.

Eketahuna Community Board chairman John Harman said it could benefit more than 30 accommodation businesses in the area. "Anything that can do that is good news for a small community."

Shannon Progressive Association chairman Ross Campbell said it sounded like a good idea to them as well. "Anything that can enhance tourism in the district is great."

As of this morning, 55 per cent of voters on a non-scientific manawatustandard.co.nz poll thought the track was a great idea that would get people active.

Forty-five per cent thought it could be a waste of money.

- © Fairfax NZ News