Reigniting My Mojo Flashpacking Central Otago’s Cycle Trails

Was flashpacking Central Otago’s cycle trails the antidote needed to alleviate symptoms of depression and reignite Denise’s mojo? Read on to find out.

Riding a bike has been a pivotal part of my life since I was a young child. And that sense of freedom, adventure, and opportunity for exploration when riding a bike has never wavered.

From commuting to school or work, racing BMX and mountain bike, that one criterium and triathlon, cycle touring holidays, to gravel riding and bikepacking/ flashpacking adventures – I have loved them all.

Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Mountain Biking

And now I’ve roped Shaun the Sheep into a life on two wheels

Let’s Go on a Flashpacking Adventure

For me, there’s nothing more mind-cleansing and rejuvenating than a spin on my bike of choice, which these days is the mountain bike, gravel, or bikepacking bike. Some free time, suffering from depression, and knowing how beneficial bike riding is for me, were the catalysts for deciding to visit one of my favourite places, New Zealand, and spend a week flashpacking five of Central Otago’s cycle trails.

Time to get the bike back in its happy place

With a little over a week to plan the on-ground logistics, knowledge from previous trips to the region gave me some peace of mind and assisted with planning. Back in 2012 and 2020 I’d cycled most of the trails I was planning to ride again, but not consecutively or on a loaded bike.

A cycling adventure in a new location would have been great but I don’t think I could’ve managed something new and out of my comfort zone right now. New Zealand was a comfortable choice.

Read more: New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides Are A Bike Touring Dream

Can’t say no to these views either

Time to Hit the Trails

The first morning of my eight-day flashpacking adventure I was nervous. Which was a little baffling. I knew I could ride a bike and do it well, even though time on the bike had been minimal of late. Maybe I was nervous because riding a bike is something I‘ve always done with confidence and ability. I didn’t want to lose that, didn’t want to ‘fail’, whatever that looked like.

With each day, I progressively found my ‘groove’. Although the technical challenge was minimal, the mental challenge was ever-present.

Over the eight days and 300km, there were unexplained nerves and self-doubt, too much thinking about the past and future, tears, guilt, and pep talks with myself.

Read more: Science is Proving The Healthy Influences of Nature (Now Go Hug That Tree)

We mentally and physically made it out the other side

Rabbits in plague proportions, a shoe malfunction, home-baked biscuits from a trail-side stall, good ol’ Kiwi hospitality, meals made with the freshest home-grown produce, and pats and chats with friendly dogs, all contributed to a rewarding ride.

The scenery was diverse. There were tunnels, farmland, forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers, old rail bridges, and a jet boat ride to top it off. Gravelly goodness in the form of quiet country roads and smooth flowy descents with a fresh breeze kept things real and made me feel alive.

Ridin’ next to rails

Except for a chilly temperature of 15 degrees on day one and a day of 30km/h winds with gusts of 50km/h – which had me contemplating returning to Ranfurly and seeking out a lift – I was blessed with warm, sunny weather and clear blue skies for most of the ride.

So, did this multi-day ride reignite my mojo?

It did, but it took a few days to relax, be present, appreciate, and focus on the now. To slow down, soak in the nature and scenic beauty, and enjoy the time on the bike. I needed to be patient and let the journey unfold, to find the joy and be in the moment.

I reflected on some of the sessions with my counsellor and remembered to capture those daily glimmers. I revelled in the fresh air, big skies, wide open spaces, diverse scenery, glorious weather, peace, and freedom.

Lots of room to exhale

After my trip I acknowledged that the journey to combat depression is a tough one and cannot be ‘cured’ by one bike adventure. However, finding the time to do those things that I love, the things that make me feel good are so important.

And it doesn’t have to be a trip overseas. It can be as simple as a ride on the local trails or a jaunt to coffee with friends. I just need to keep pedalling towards a healthy me. Focus on the here and now and less on the past and future.

*Flashpacking is essentially the same as bikepacking, except tents and sleeping gear are not required, swapping these for a comfortable bed in a pub, hotel or BnB.