Some people may know of Steven Muir, a passionate cycle advocate in Christchurch and winner of CAN's 'Cycling Champion of the Year' award in 2012. Several years ago he ran an annual 'Supermarket Challenge' which challanged cyclists and car drivers to pick up various items from supermarkets around town in the shortest time. He was also involved in workshops helping people create their own cycle trailers and still continues to sell trailer kits. Instructions on building a range of different trailers yourself can be found on his website (http://www.cycletrailers.co.nz/html/instructions.html). He's also been involved in Icecycles which amongst other things has fixed up and given out around 200 bikes to those in need of one.

When I lived in Christchurch Steven and I cycled a lot together but it's been many years since we caught up. This weekend however Steven came to visit on his way to the Abel Tasman and with only one afternoon to introduce him to mountain biking in Nelson I suggested that we rode the Coppermine.

It was a stunning day and The Coppermine did not disappoint despite my lack of fitness and the track being the roughest I've seen it for a long time (presumably due to the race a couple of weeks ago) as well as the obligatory puncture. This ride is certainly a challenge and it would be a mistake to underestimate it and attempt it without being prepared in terms of clothing (the weather can change quite dramatically) as well as equipment and water. The sight of two children that couldn't have been more than 10 years old on their small mountain bikes as we approached the saddle was however testament to the fact that this ride is quite accessible and is within the reach of anybody with moderate fitness and confidence in cycling over rocky terrain.

If you just had one afternoon to showcase Nelson to a cyclists from out of town, where would you take them ?