Cycling in New Zealand
Discussion
I thought I'd post on here as it's a good a place as any with the hope that someone has some experience or can recommend something.
In short, I'm planning on taking a trip to New Zealand in September/October time with the hope of taking my trusty 2-wheeler with me (road bike). I want to plan a week/two weeks biking on the south island, but would ideally like to plan it myself flying solo.
Is there anybody on here who has ridden in NZ, can recommend any set routes, what to take, where to stay along the way etc? Or alternatively, point me towards a bike forum maybe where someone has posted any past trips and what they did?
The other option is to book with a guide tour company and rent a decent bike, so any recommendations would be gratefully received as well.
Any help whatsoever would be really appreciated!
Many thanks.
Drew
In short, I'm planning on taking a trip to New Zealand in September/October time with the hope of taking my trusty 2-wheeler with me (road bike). I want to plan a week/two weeks biking on the south island, but would ideally like to plan it myself flying solo.
Is there anybody on here who has ridden in NZ, can recommend any set routes, what to take, where to stay along the way etc? Or alternatively, point me towards a bike forum maybe where someone has posted any past trips and what they did?
The other option is to book with a guide tour company and rent a decent bike, so any recommendations would be gratefully received as well.
Any help whatsoever would be really appreciated!
Many thanks.
Drew
I haven ridden much in the South Island (just a bit around Hokitika, where the in-laws live), but that's definitely where you want to be going. The roads are a lot quieter in the SI so it's much nicer if you're riding on the main roads. The only bit that might not be so fun is the East coast between Dunedin and Blenheim - busier, fewer secondary roads to escape to. With your timeframe, I'd be sticking to Nelson/Malborough/West Coast and the Queenstown area. Although getting down into the Caitlins (in Southland) would be well worth it.
Are you planning on a cycle tour type arrangement or slinging the bike on the back of a car and doing a few rides in each place?
This book is probably the best you'll find for off-road cycle trails: http://www.kennett.co.nz/product/classic-new-zeala... and there is also one on road rides; http://www.kennett.co.nz/product/classic-new-zeala...
If you end up passing through Wellington, drop by and say hello
Are you planning on a cycle tour type arrangement or slinging the bike on the back of a car and doing a few rides in each place?
This book is probably the best you'll find for off-road cycle trails: http://www.kennett.co.nz/product/classic-new-zeala... and there is also one on road rides; http://www.kennett.co.nz/product/classic-new-zeala...
If you end up passing through Wellington, drop by and say hello
It's a bit hilly in places
In all seriousness whilst I didn't do any cycling when I was over there there were lots of people on bikes. The Kiwi's are generally an athletic bunch so many are into healthy outdoor pursuits like cycling so you should be well catered for. As others have said the roads are generally quiet and the scenery is stunning. Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers, hops, grapes, etc. along the way Only other thing I'd say is that on some of the more isolated roads it can be many many miles between petrol stations, towns etc. so plan accordingly ensuring you have enough fluid and food. The insects can be a bit of a PITA in some places too some make sure you've got some decent repellent.
In all seriousness whilst I didn't do any cycling when I was over there there were lots of people on bikes. The Kiwi's are generally an athletic bunch so many are into healthy outdoor pursuits like cycling so you should be well catered for. As others have said the roads are generally quiet and the scenery is stunning. Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers, hops, grapes, etc. along the way
Only other thing I'd say is that on some of the more isolated roads it can be many many miles between petrol stations, towns etc. so plan accordingly ensuring you have enough fluid and food. The insects can be a bit of a PITA in some places too some make sure you've got some decent repellent.Its a pretty awesome place for cycle touring, many people do it, yes its hilly in places.. 
Head over to vorb, the main nz cycling forum.
http://www.vorb.org.nz/rez_display.php?c=1&mod...
I dont road cycle just mtb myself sorry, but can advise on places/routes
Head over to vorb, the main nz cycling forum.
http://www.vorb.org.nz/rez_display.php?c=1&mod...
I dont road cycle just mtb myself sorry, but can advise on places/routes
Thanks for the posts guys, really appreciate it!
I've been doing a bit more research on the net... It looks like the best place to experience the south island in terms of cycling is to head down the west coast.
Looking at what the tour guide companies set out, you fly to Christchurch then hop on the Transapline train to Greymouth then head south to Queensland stopping at various places on the way.
I found a company called Natural High who either provide an all inclusive tour or a 'self-guided' one in which you get a set route/itinerary along with a Garmin.
I was looking at cycling for a maximum of 5-6 days so some of their tours do fit the bill.
Here is a self-tour I was looking at:
http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/cycle_tour/sg3-5-day-...
And also an all inclusive, which if you take everything into consideration doesn't look too bad. The only down side is that the 6-day tour doesn't follow the west coast.
http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/cycle_tour/gr023-6-da...
If would be good to get people's opinions. Would you ride solo, or go for a guided tour?
Thanks again for your time!
I've been doing a bit more research on the net... It looks like the best place to experience the south island in terms of cycling is to head down the west coast.
Looking at what the tour guide companies set out, you fly to Christchurch then hop on the Transapline train to Greymouth then head south to Queensland stopping at various places on the way.
I found a company called Natural High who either provide an all inclusive tour or a 'self-guided' one in which you get a set route/itinerary along with a Garmin.
I was looking at cycling for a maximum of 5-6 days so some of their tours do fit the bill.
Here is a self-tour I was looking at:
http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/cycle_tour/sg3-5-day-...
And also an all inclusive, which if you take everything into consideration doesn't look too bad. The only down side is that the 6-day tour doesn't follow the west coast.
http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/cycle_tour/gr023-6-da...
If would be good to get people's opinions. Would you ride solo, or go for a guided tour?
Thanks again for your time!
Never done it, but after having a week and a bit driving round the South Island, I wish I could.
The roads seemed relatively good in terms of quality, and reasonably wide. There wasn't a huge amount of traffic either, so imagine it would be pretty pleasant.
There can be large gaps between settlements, so make sure you look ahead WRT water and food.
Also, I think in some cases the trains and the road share bridges, so make sure you avoid dropping in ling grooves, and make sure you can get over the bridge before a train could come!
The roads seemed relatively good in terms of quality, and reasonably wide. There wasn't a huge amount of traffic either, so imagine it would be pretty pleasant.
There can be large gaps between settlements, so make sure you look ahead WRT water and food.
Also, I think in some cases the trains and the road share bridges, so make sure you avoid dropping in ling grooves, and make sure you can get over the bridge before a train could come!
I'd do the self-guided one myself. The Tranzalpine is an experience in itself, and would be more enjoyable than that first day cycling out of Chch on the guided one.
Rob's right in that the West Coast is famously wet, but oddly enough most of the rainfall is at night - I've never found it to be as bad as it's reputation would suggest. There are a few good detours around the Hokitika area to take you off the main drag as well. I don't think you'd need a Garmin though - it'd be pretty difficult to get lost along that route!
Rob's right in that the West Coast is famously wet, but oddly enough most of the rainfall is at night - I've never found it to be as bad as it's reputation would suggest. There are a few good detours around the Hokitika area to take you off the main drag as well. I don't think you'd need a Garmin though - it'd be pretty difficult to get lost along that route!
louiebaby said:
Also, I think in some cases the trains and the road share bridges, so make sure you avoid dropping in ling grooves, and make sure you can get over the bridge before a train could come!
There's a real beaut just south of Greymouth - long, rickety and narrow. It's scary enough driving over it. Depends what you want to see.
West coast is very lush , rugged coastline, lakes, glaciers (kinda), nice views of mt cook and aspiring at fox/matherson.
Then you would ride through haast pass , lake hawea, wanaka then Queenstown.
The other option is chc to tekapo, mt cook, lindis pass, wanaka, qt - theres a few more solid climbs on that one though I think.
As for navigation, unless you are going somewhere quite off the tracks theres not too many choices for roads anyhow so I wouldnt worry
West coast is very lush , rugged coastline, lakes, glaciers (kinda), nice views of mt cook and aspiring at fox/matherson.
Then you would ride through haast pass , lake hawea, wanaka then Queenstown.
The other option is chc to tekapo, mt cook, lindis pass, wanaka, qt - theres a few more solid climbs on that one though I think.
As for navigation, unless you are going somewhere quite off the tracks theres not too many choices for roads anyhow so I wouldnt worry
The Kennet books are a good recommendation. There are many great off road / gravel routes out there too if that appeals. If sticking to the roads, many of them are surfaced with a very coarse chip, far worse than the UK. On an ultra stiff race machine with narrow tyres pumped up to 100psi you can get lots of vibration, which can take a while to get used to, so if possible go for fatter tyres (as is the current trend) and hopefully your bike is more of a sportive kind of machine.
The scenery is awesome, but if you want to travel long distances some of the roads are not that interesting, in that there can be many long drags on long straight sections of roads. Depending on route other roads will be pretty awesome with twisty climbs and descents.
Its probably a great way to see the country - and if you are staying at homestays / farmstays and fuelling up with pies from local dairies you will see a lot more of the Kiwi lifestyle that many tourists!
The scenery is awesome, but if you want to travel long distances some of the roads are not that interesting, in that there can be many long drags on long straight sections of roads. Depending on route other roads will be pretty awesome with twisty climbs and descents.
Its probably a great way to see the country - and if you are staying at homestays / farmstays and fuelling up with pies from local dairies you will see a lot more of the Kiwi lifestyle that many tourists!
Inspiring stuff. I'd echo the thoughts of others about West coast, the trip down from Greymouth is lovely and there's plenty of other places to see too. Camping is a piece of piss if you're set up for it, sites everywhere.
Spent 2 weeks bimbling round in a van. Amazing time and can't wait to return. Arthur's pass would be a lungbuster but worth it.
Spent 2 weeks bimbling round in a van. Amazing time and can't wait to return. Arthur's pass would be a lungbuster but worth it.
carreauchompeur said:
Arthur's pass would be a lungbuster but worth it.
The OP could get off the train at Arthur's Pass and ride to Hokitika from there: mostly downhill that way 
. The West Coast does get a little "Deliverance" in places, but the locals are pretty friendly if a bit odd. (The one I married is fairly civilised at least...)
Thanks again for the posts, much appreciated.
Would you go to the hassle of taking your own bike and buying all the subsequent touring gear required, or rent a half-decent bike (TREK 1.5) when you get out there as per the company I was looking at?
Is taking a bike on the plane a massive pain? Has anybody had any experience with it?
Would you go to the hassle of taking your own bike and buying all the subsequent touring gear required, or rent a half-decent bike (TREK 1.5) when you get out there as per the company I was looking at?
Is taking a bike on the plane a massive pain? Has anybody had any experience with it?
Edited by DUNNERS on Friday 5th August 17:14
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