On a bicycle made for two

German tourists Anne and Al Binder have just completed one bike ride and now they're setting out on a second.

And their vehicle of choice is a tandem cycle.

Geoff Omnet, of Alps 2 Ocean Cycles, Oamaru, taxied the bike to Mount Cook so the couple could start their Alps2Ocean ride to Oamaru and yesterday the pair were off again.

This time, their aim was to ride the Otago Rail Trail, with a train ride from Hyde to Dunedin included. For this ride, Mr Omnet will taxi the pair and their bike to Cromwell, a starting point for the Otago Rail Trail.

Mr Omnet said the tandem is among the selection of bikes for all ages which he offers and this is the first time the tandem has been used.

"It is great to see it out and about," he said.

But for Mr and Mrs Binder, who are finishing three weeks' holidaying in New Zealand, riding a tandem bike is second nature.

The couple have a tandem bike in Germany and find riding a tandem much more friendly.

"We are both on the bike and we can chat as we go along," Mrs Biner said.

Although the pair had ridden the yet-to-be completed Alps2Ocean ride, both Mr and Mrs Binder gave the ride great reviews.

"It was excellent and although it is not quite finished, it is a great ride," said Mrs Binder.

The only casualty along the trip was a broken wheel spoke, which was quickly fixed to enable the couple to start on the second half of their adventure.