https://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/2024/07/14/winter-on-the-little-river-rail-trail/ Regular people riding bicycles Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:27:39 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/2024/07/14/winter-on-the-little-river-rail-trail/#comment-163361 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 21:47:15 +0000 https://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/?p=35330#comment-163361 A winter ride also means you evade the leks of lake flies, mostly males trying to mate with one female. I carry a mesh bag which fits over my cycling helmet to tuck into my top to avoid swallowing these. DOC also is very involved in the management of Te Waihora/ Lake Ellesmere. A very good example of co-governance which has been in operation ever since the Ngai Tahu Settlement Act. The native vegetation around the lake is being restored. It was the Wahine Storm which ripped out all the eel grass beds which led to the decline of the water quality of the lake and a massive reduction of the geese numbers in addition to agricultural run off. The railtrail is actually providing a really good buffer zone along the lake edge. You need to carry a good supply of water as there is none which is potable between townships.

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