Our teams are out checking for storm damage across the entire Trail Network. Please ride carefully and contact us via Facebook or email if you come across any hazards.
Bob and his wife Connie, had visited Connie’s parents in Kaiaua for over 30 years, and always loved the quiet seaside village feel. Surrounded by nature and yet only an hour from Auckland and Hamilton.
Having raised six children and 40 years of hectic careers in the IT and Aviation industries, Bob and Connie were both ready for a change and eventually decided Kaiaua was it.
Bob started thinking about business opportunities, and saw a gap in the Hauraki Rail Trail which ticked a lot of boxes. Having tinkered with bikes since a kid, Bob undertook a basic mechanics course, researched fit for purpose quality bikes to invest in, set up Shorebird Cycles and engaged their son Corey to build a website.
We swung by for a cuppa to hear more about the business, what makes the Shorebird Coast so special, and a few of Bob’s personal picks when riding the Trail.
What’s special about running a business right on the Hauraki Rail Trail? How does the Trail community shape what you do?
I have always enjoyed travel, the great outdoors and interacting with people. Being able to give these travellers such a great experience just makes this even more satisfying.
However the experience is only made great by the sum of every small business in the Trail community delivering a quality service. As newcomers we have “lucked in” to be part of this welcoming and sharing group of people.
The Shorebird Coast is such a stunning spot. What do you love most about this unique part of New Zealand?
It’s diversity. The Shorebird Centre is unique in it’s own right, but then surround it by forests, lakes, thermal activity, sea-life, history and culture, and we really are one of New Zealand’s least recognised wonders.
What can visitors expect when they stop in at Shorebird Cycles?
Sometimes visitors will find an unmanned store on the waterfront! We live just 500 metres down the road, and my sister-in-law lives behind the store and helps out when we are out and about on the Trail. So service is only ever a few minutes away.
You’ll also find Bike Hire and passenger accessories for any age of rider, with a workshop capable of basic repairs, tune-ups and retail parts supply.
And before or after your ride, there’s a handy Garage/Supermarket, Cafe, Garden Bar, and Fish’n’Chip shop right next door.
Have you had any memorable customers or funny stories on the Trail that stand out?
My most memorable customer would be an 80 year-old Dutch lady that biked to Kopu Bridge and back (70km) in a day, and on a mountain bike!
We love how your business fits so naturally into the local landscape. How important is sustainability or local connection in the way you operate?
Our family has a long connection with this area, so protecting it while showing it off is important to us. We donate a portion of revenue each year to environmental Not For Profit’s, gift vouchers for community fundraisers, highlight local business as much as possible, and do our bit to keep the Trail clean.
When you're not fixing bikes or helping riders, where might we find you on your own bike? Any favourite rides or hidden gems along the Trail?
My favourite ride (that I always take visiting friends on) is from our store south to the bird hides via the Shorebird Centre. We then head up to the Stray Dog for a coffee, view the art gallery and coast out over the Firth. Next up, we ride back to the Pink Cafe for lunch, shoot up the coast road to Quarry Lakes, the HMS Hinau shipwreck, and into the Hunua’s at Waharau Regional Park, before heading back to the Bayview Hotel for a cold one in the garden bar. It doesn’t get much better!
If someone only had one day to explore this part of the Trail, what would you recommend they do, see or eat while they’re here?
I would recommend my ride above, but food wise, here is my personal picks:
Cafe Ruru - for Best toasted sandwich.
Stray Dog - for Best Coffee and a bathroom that Hundertwasser would rate.
Kaiaua Fisheries - for epic Fish’n’ Chips.
Pink Cafe - for their Bacon and Egg Rolls, Savoury scones and Fresh fruit Ice Cream.
Bay View Hotel - The whole menu!
And finally for a bit of fun, if your bike had a personality, what would it be? Or what would you name it?
That’s a good one! The first name that sprung to mind I’m too embarrassed to say. But my family would probably pick it, and I might reveal over a drink one day haha.
« Back to articles
