Tiff is part of a group that call themselves “The Bike Bitches” (pictured above on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Great Ride). They embarked on their first adventure together on New Zealand’s very first Great Ride, the Otago Central Rail Trail, almost a decade ago.  

Since then, it has become a tradition for the group to escape into the outdoors on adventures both on and off-trail. 

Though it’s more challenging for adaptive rider Tiff, she has managed to “accidently” collect several Great Rides, mostly with The Bike Bitches.

The West Coast Wilderness Trail,  the Clutha Gold Trail, Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail (pictured right), Timber Trail and Whakarewarewa Forest Loop are among them. 

Near her hometown of Hamilton, Tiff also regularly rides the 65km Te Awa River Ride.

In fact her family trust helped that come to fruition.  There’s even a bridge – the iconic 120m suspension bridge called the Perry Bridge – named in their honour. 

The Bike Bitches have even ventured offshore to ride in Samoa. 

“Shirl, who we call our event co-ordinator, organises everything and gives us all an itinerary before we head off. No-one ever reads it, we just turn up at the airport and off we go.” 

The Bike Bitches are looking to tick off their next Great Ride, Tasman's Great Taste Trail, in Nelson in March. They then plan to head further south to ride the Lake Dunstan Trail near Queenstown. 

“The adaptive bikes and the trail network mean the outdoors is accessible to everybody. It feels awesome to be out there riding, I just love it.

“I think back to our first Great Ride, the Otago Central Rail Trail, and it brought me to tears being on the trails for the first time.”  

A water ski accident in her 20s left Tiff (pictured right with friend Shaz Brikmanis on the West Coast Wilderness Trail) in a wheelchair. She is a T7 paraplegic, which means she doesn’t have use or sensation of the body below the waist, but she does have normal upper body movement. 

Adaptive bikes haven’t been around for that long, which meant Tiff wasn’t able to get into the outdoors and among nature for many years.  

“Since our first cycling adventure I’ve ridden a number of adaptive bikes. My latest bike is an off-road bike called a Lasher and it can go most places, which makes the trails so much easier.” 

As an adaptive rider Tiff is well aware she can’t do the trails without support. And there have been times when she’s called on her friends’ help. 

“Sometimes bollards can get in the way. On one trail we came across a washout. The girls had to lift my bike and come back and lift me to get through it.” 

It’s all part of the adventure with The Bike Bitches and Tiff finds it all exhilarating.

“It's great to go away and explore New Zealand. Seeing all these places that I just never would have anticipated visiting. It has really opened my eyes to what’s possible.” 

While the entire group loves to be active, it’s just as much about the camaraderie, the socialising afterwards and off-trail experiences and accommodation. 

“We've done scenic boat cruises, tree walks, stayed in many types of accommodation... it’s not just a ride, it’s an experience. 

"And the team bonding is awesome. When we’re away, we all do a download of where we’re at in life, we support each other if we’re going through something.  

“There’s been relationship hiccups, there’s been this that and the other thing, it’s all part of it.” 

Collecting the Great Rides, socialising with friends while being out in the fresh air and experiencing some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes gives Tiff that sense of freedom. 

Most of all, those experiences have created lifelong memories. 

“Shirl brings her selfie stick and makes us stop along the way to take group shots. I have so many photos, I’ve even got Snapfish books that sit on my coffee table of the first few trails we did.

“We have some awesome memories of what we’ve done so far, and we will carry on creating many more.” 

Above: The Bike Bitches enjoy some down time at a pub on the west coast. Below: The group ahead of their ride in Samoa

All of our 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand are at various stages of their accessibility journeys. Check out our adaptive riding hub to plan your next adventure now.

Start collecting the Great Rides at your pace, or get your friends and whānau together and ride and socialise with off-trail experiences.