Every bike trip starts with a spot of fishing…

Dear

We learnt how to fish during Covid. It was the case of having to. We'd dangle the hook and see how many bites we got.

If you haven't figured it out - you are the fish.

In our last newsletter we baited up a new Victorian trip in October. We got a good response, so that's now guaranteed (for cyclists and Team Mac). Dean and Kat would love you to join them. Full itinerary here.

More fishing - USA Gravel - June 2027

We've been thinking about a gravel trip to the States for quite a while. Our American guides are a big part of the RH family and have worked for us for well over 15 years.

Starting and finishing in San Francisco. Dates are 17 to 29 June 2027

Featuring the best gravel in California. Expect spectacular scenery, quiet backroads, amazing food, lakeside recovery rides and the relaxed, social Ride Holidays atmosphere. Finishing with the iconic Truckee Tahoe Gravel event.

Tour Highlights

	San Francisco & Golden Gate Bridge
	Marin Headlands & Mt Tam gravel
	Mendocino coastal redwoods
	Sierra Foothills & Nevada City
	Lake Tahoe & Donner Summit
	Truckee Tahoe Gravel event

OK… from here - We need expressions of interest. There are only 12 spots so even a small group of friends could take all the seats. Express interest here.

We raised the USA gravel trip on social media earlier this week and had some negative push back. The only people hurt by boycotting the States are the good people like Ryan and Jen who will lead this trip. They work hard and through no fault of theirs - are struggling. It's a fantastic country to ride a bike. Unbelievable scenery and the drivers are about 1000 times better than ours. We will continue to support our USA trips and personally I can't wait to get back to Utah this September.

Rat Traps - your own trap?

Wow - that was popular. In the last newsletter we celebrated our latest worthy Rat Trap recipients. As Martyn Masterson said - he takes comfort in knowing that the last thing a rodent will see is his name.

We had a few people ask for their own traps. Not a problem. Flick me an email and we'll make it happen. They cost $250.00 each (tax deductible though) and that includes all the artwork, maintenance and everything else that goes into keeping our birds protected.

Wellington Free Ambulance - 15 Nov

Is our chosen charity for the Ride Holidays Martinborough Fun ride which you can now enter. Every year this event puts over $15k back into the community. I'm sure you'll agree that WFA are a very worthy recipient - let's go for $20k in 2026.

Enter here… (Do me a favour - please enter now. Entering the week before is really hard work for us as organisers. Thanks)

More good stuff…

The Raetihi Gutbuster will be on the 10th of April next year. Another stellar community event. We'll have accommodation and grazing packages so please pop in your diary. Entries for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on 28 Nov are open. We'll have a good crew there. For those in Australia (or the South Island) we've got you covered with our short mini-tour ex Auckland. Otherwise - flick me an email for the 15% discount code and ride for Team RH.

Santos Tour Down Under - Boys and Girls

Common sense prevails in 2027. For the first time - the women's and men's races will overlap. It's astonishing that it's taken this long. Details here.

Dates are still to be confirmed although we're pretty sure we have it right. Book here for $100.00. There are 8 spots left.

All good things start in Upper Hutt

Our 60th school is Upper Hutt Primary. We've had 14 people (mainly my UH school friends) donate a full bike, helmet package over the past few weeks. If you know someone from the Hood, please forward this newsletter to them. I bet they rode to school when they were kids… I need to buy another 6 bikes for this magnificent school. 

Europe 2026

France, Le Tour and Ventoux is still there. As is Alpe d'Huez. Italy and the Stelvio remains magnificent. Flights in some cases are cheaper now than 6 months ago (we can give recommendations). It's not too late, need some training maybe? Need a holiday? definitely! We can guarantee it will be awesome. Availability here.

Tight lines…. (see what I'm doing there?)

Karl, Dingo, Dean and Rhonda