Testimonials
"Just wanted to say thanks for Saturday.
It all worked out really well- we had a great time!"
Libby Bayly, Napier - August 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"A fabulous way to explore your own country"
Rebecca Butts, Wanaka, NZ - May 2010 - 3 Day Hawkes Bay Highlights
"Don't dream about biking the Hawke's Bay, just do it with the best...Takaro Trails!"
Dianne Barron, Auckland, NZ - May 2010 - 3 Day Hawkes Bay Highlights
"It was really great Jenny, we enjoyed it all. The bikes and all the equipment were of the highest standard (the boys did complain a little about their saddles), the organization superb and everything worked just so smoothly. Transfer of luggage, picking up our purchases and all the little touches, as in the trail mix and wine bags were very much appreciated. The directions for each day worked extremely well and there was no need for some animated discussion amongst us as to which way to go!!! We loved the Rotary pathways the best I have to say, and it will be great where there are more of them around. But all in all, a great experience - thank you. We would have no hesitation in recommending to others and I really hope that you will be very successful with your venture - you fully deserve it."
Gail Hofmann, Auckland, NZ - April 2010 - 3 Day Hawkes Bay Highlights
"The Diverse Hawke's Bay tour was an invigorating experience introducing us to the delights of the back country. It was well structured and very well supported by Jenny and her team. We recommend it to all."
Richard & Noreen Jewell, Wellington, NZ - April 2010 - 5 Day Diverse Hawkes Bay
"I wanted to thank you SO much for your kind gesture of letting us your bikes while in Napier. We had a blast! Now, you may be to blame for having an Ecuadorian totally in love with your beautiful corner of the World. All worked well with the bikes, no mechanical problems whatsoever, got lost when at the bridge (turned left instead of right), but we just followed your map and found our way back to Ormlie Lodge. I've never experienced another place as great as yours, and the reason is probably because the quality of its people. Please know you have some new friends in South America!"
Francisco Dousdebes - Quito - Ecuador - March 2010 - Coastline and Taradale
'What better way to enjoy the Hawke's Bay sun and wineries than by bike! We started the day with champagne breakfast and then our first winery tasting at 10am. The whole day was perfectly organised and made entertaining visitors from out of Hawke's Bay a breeze! It was a load of fun and I can't wait to do it again soon!"
Cat Wealleans - Local Hawke's Bay Girl - March 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"I like bikes,
and red wine is so devine,
on a summers day in the bay,
hey hey hey"
Jefcoate Dickie - Wellington Red Wine Lover - March 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"Excellent organization, right down to the last detail, - I personally liked the name tags- nice touch! Also nothing was too big of an ask. 5 stars, would go back."
Hayley Pardoe - Auckland Advertising Extraordinaire - March 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"Thanks for a great day - service, equipment and route instructions were all fantastic and we'll make sure we flag you up on tripadvisor.com when we get back to England in early April." Jonathan Turner, UK - March 2010 - Coastline and Taradale wineries
"Very enjoyable day, will be back soon."
John & Alison Kirkham, Bedfordshire, UK - March 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"The world looks better on a bike!"
Ben & Jackie Smith, Queensland, Aus - March 2010 - Leisurely Gimblett Gravels
"Just wanted to say thanks so much for looking after us in the manner that you did, we really appreciated your friendly hospitality. The TAKARO TRAILS hire gear was brilliant as were the awesome and sweet single track trail network.
Already planning a return trip to get back there and do it again.
Once again, thankyou, Takaro Trails was truly a great experience that my son and I will always cherish."
Shayne and Nic Howe, Sth Australia - February 2010 - Mountain Biking
"The one phrase that typified the support from Jenny was "No problem" Whenever we needed wine pick-up or mechanical back-up that was always her response. The five day tour is aptly named "Diverse" as this is what the countryside and level of cycling challenge is. Every day was so different, no-one could ever get bored with the riding on this tour. I came home feeling strong and proud of myself."
Sue Bewley, Rotorua, NZ - January 2010 - 5 Day Diverse Hawkes Bay
"The multi-level support from Jenny and her team was brilliant. I have no hesitation in recommending this cycle trip and Takaro Trails to anybody - and have already done so. "Diverse " really sums the whole trip up and that was a wonderful feature of the 5 days. Thanks Jenny. Very best wishes for your exciting business."
Sharon Ross, Rotorua, NZ - January 2010 - 5 Day Diverse Hawkes Bay
"I felt exhilirated and accomplished when I finished the 5 day biking tour. As the least fit and most vulnerable of the group (that's my assessmnet) I never at any time felt unsafe or a liabilty. By day 3 I was in the zone and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Thanks to Jenny for her constant back up and support. I would do it again in a flash!"
Mary Carroll, Rotorua, NZ - January 2010 - 5 Day Diverse Hawkes Bay
"Hi Jenny A 'bunch of roses' to you!
Just a note to say how much Patrick and I enjoyed out 5 day Takaro Trails cycle holiday/tour of Hawkes Bay over New Year. We were keen to have a unique experience - and you ensured this was exactly what occurred! From the superb bikes, helmets, scroggin and panniers to the pre-booked accommodation and clear, exact instructions...(phew, thank goodness!) we managed to navigate our way through the breathtaking countryside with each day being quite different... I have to say my personal favourite was Day 4 when we visited numerous vineyards :-)
Not only did we feel well looked after, we decided the experience and service provided by Takaro Trails was of a quality and level that others should benchmark against. So - thank you again for assisting us enter a new year in a highly memorable way! We wish you all the best with your venture... and many tourism awards!!!"
Jane & Patrick Kennelly, Orewa, NZ - December 2009 - 5 Day Diverse Hawkes Bay
"Hi Jenny, Once again we wanted to thank you for arranging and outfitting our three day biking tour of Hawkes Bay. Right from our first contact, your willingness to modify our three day package to meet our personal and fitness needs to the completeness of directions and quality of equipment have left us with a truly enjoyable and memorable experience. We will heartily recommend your services to our friends and acquaintances."
Ken & Sharon Sky, Toronto, Canada - December 2009 - 3 Day Hawkes Bay Highlights
"Thank you for a lovely afternoon's entertainment on the bikes. I will certainly promote Takaro Trails to others and the experience."
Martin Birrell, Hawkes Bay Regional Business Co-ordinator New Zealand Food Safety Authority
Corporate Activity for 30 participants - December 2009
"What a wonderful fun adventure riding in Hawke's Bay with Takaro Trails turned out to be. When I booked in for a three day cycle tour I was not even a cyclist! With one practice session over 20Km, I knew I could still stay on a bike and change gears and hoped that my general fitness would carry me through. After 3 days of cycling through the orchards and countryside and by the sea I had covered 128Km in beautiful sunny weather, visited a cheese factory, a chocolate factory(for an energy boost), and world class wineries and had a picnic lunch on the banks of the Tukituki river. Jenny Ryan who owns Takaro Trails makes it all so easy with great bikes and accommodation, detailed route instructions, a friendly airport pick up and a luggage and wine purchases transfer service. Nothing is too much trouble. I highly recommend Takaro Trails. "
Adrianne Cranshaw, Auckland - November 2009 - Hawkes Bay Highlights Tour
"Thanks to Jenny and the team at Takaro Trails, we had a fantastic time exploring the single tracks in Hawkes Bay MTB park, and there is stacks of it too. Good quality bikes and a great pick up and drop off service polished an excellent outing. Highly recommended."
Rob Merkel, Victoria, Australia - November 2009 - Mountain biking package
'Thanks for a great trip. We all thoroughly enjoyed our 3 days with Takaro Trails. It was great to do this as a family and we appreciated your flexibility in letting us do the first ten kms the day before to get Lucy used to it. We were really surprised by how well Lucy did! '
Sally Brasell, Auckland - October 2009 - Hawkes Bay Highlights Tour
'Excellent organisation and great fun.'
Pete Hay, Auckland - October 2009 - Hawkes Bay Highlights Tour
A message from Sam Bewley
Sam Bewley was a member of the NZ Team Pursuit Olympic Bronze medal team in Beijing 2008.
"Tākaro Trails to me seems like the best possible way for anyone and everyone to see and experience the beautiful wine country of Hawke's Bay! What makes it even better is that it caters for everyone's abilities and I believe it is an aspect of cycling that will encourage more and more people to ride their bikes, it will really highlight the enjoyable side cycling has to offer. What a great way to see Hawke's Bay, the wine, the sun and the beauty of this great place. I can't wait to take my own tour with Tākaro Trails!"
Beijing Olympic Games Bronze Medal Cyclist, Sam Bewley (far left)
