Touring New Zealand
Discussion
So, heres the deal, in early November a firend and I are flying out to New Zealand to travel the length and breadth.....on push bikes.
Having no real experience of bicycle touring (I've only ever been a keen MTB'r and a roadie) I guess I've got a few things to learn...
As we are only in the early stages of planning the trip, I'm fully open for hints, tips, any suggestions and probably a bit of p1ss taking! All that has been set in stone so far is when we will be flying out, that we will be cycling (obviously), and carrying tents to camp where we end up each day.
Anyone who has any experience of anything like this, if you'd like to share your knowledge that would be great!
Over to you guys
Cheers Alex
Having no real experience of bicycle touring (I've only ever been a keen MTB'r and a roadie) I guess I've got a few things to learn...
As we are only in the early stages of planning the trip, I'm fully open for hints, tips, any suggestions and probably a bit of p1ss taking! All that has been set in stone so far is when we will be flying out, that we will be cycling (obviously), and carrying tents to camp where we end up each day.
Anyone who has any experience of anything like this, if you'd like to share your knowledge that would be great!
Over to you guys
Cheers Alex
Edited by tree guy on Wednesday 25th January 19:42
Everytime I see a loaded up cyclist puffing his way along a narrow busy single track road I wonder why they do it. They always look pained and anxious and you have to concentrate so hard just not to die.
We have so few roads here that you can't get right away from the traffic (the South Island only really has 3 roads that run top to bottom so you must ride on one of them) and I've seen some awfully close moments too often to recommend this as a good idea.
Alarmist I know but you did ask.
Would you hire a motorbike instead? They look much happier.
Or buy a 2k MX5 and camp (no pun intended). That'd be brilliant fun.
Or kayak in Abel Tasman or hike somewhere like the deserted Hakataramea?
We have so few roads here that you can't get right away from the traffic (the South Island only really has 3 roads that run top to bottom so you must ride on one of them) and I've seen some awfully close moments too often to recommend this as a good idea.
Alarmist I know but you did ask.
Would you hire a motorbike instead? They look much happier.
Or buy a 2k MX5 and camp (no pun intended). That'd be brilliant fun.
Or kayak in Abel Tasman or hike somewhere like the deserted Hakataramea?
tree guy said:
Ahh, Cheddar, thankyou for your prompt and to-the-point post, is it really that bad over there?
No - It's incredible, better than the postcards and very quiet relative to blighty but I travel the South Island every week and my heart is in my mouth watching the cyclist/lorry/car/campervan interface and the cyclists really do look anxious and tired.I'm sure someone will come along shortly and tell you that I'm scaremongering.
Didn't you like my 2k MX5 idea?
cheddar said:
No - It's incredible, better than the postcards and very quiet relative to blighty but I travel the South Island every week and my heart is in my mouth watching the cyclist/lorry/car/campervan interface and the cyclists really do look anxious and tired.
I'm sure someone will come along shortly and tell you that I'm scaremongering.
Didn't you like my 2k MX5 idea?
I can understand you concern for two fellow cyclists, but with all due respect your not exactly painting a great picture of NZ for me, from the way you describe the place it sounds like there are huge busses, lorrys and vans hairing round every corner hellbent on running down the next cyclist they see...I'm sure someone will come along shortly and tell you that I'm scaremongering.
Didn't you like my 2k MX5 idea?
And as for the MX5 idea, I may have not have specified, but I thought u would have gathered from my username Im a bloke, so no.
I'd question the benefit of tents when there are great hostels everywhere that cost barely more than a tent pitch. There's a few free campsites but a lot more "no camping" signs especially near popular spots.
As said, the vast majority of roads are either big busy ones (the ones that actually go between towns) or gravel ones that are usually for access, but sometimes go between the bigger ones. Getting from the top to bottom of the south island though is going to involve a lot of the former, and usually sharing the road with big logging trucks and inept campervan drivers.
Pick up some maps and have a look on Streetview to see what you think - it may be possible to ride more away from the main routes than many do (or realise) but the british thing of having nice quiet meandering country lanes that criss-cross everywhere doesn't hold true in NZ.
As said, the vast majority of roads are either big busy ones (the ones that actually go between towns) or gravel ones that are usually for access, but sometimes go between the bigger ones. Getting from the top to bottom of the south island though is going to involve a lot of the former, and usually sharing the road with big logging trucks and inept campervan drivers.
Pick up some maps and have a look on Streetview to see what you think - it may be possible to ride more away from the main routes than many do (or realise) but the british thing of having nice quiet meandering country lanes that criss-cross everywhere doesn't hold true in NZ.
tree guy said:
I can understand you concern for two fellow cyclists, but with all due respect your not exactly painting a great picture of NZ for me, from the way you describe the place it sounds like there are huge busses, lorrys and vans hairing round every corner hellbent on running down the next cyclist they see...
And as for the MX5 idea, I may have not have specified, but I thought u would have gathered from my username Im a bloke, so no.
Who said anything about drivers being 'hellbent on running down cyclists? Or lorry's hairing round every corner? Or huge busses? And as for the MX5 idea, I may have not have specified, but I thought u would have gathered from my username Im a bloke, so no.
The roads are small, every - and I mean EVERY - vehicle has to come down them, unlike the UK they're not separated by motorways and the driving standards can be poor - inattention, lack of anticipation etc - It was friendly advice, you know, like you asked for, not a threat of militant motoring.
I told you that it's incredible here - better than the postcards, sounds exactly like a 'great picture' to me.
As for the MX5/bloke thing, I agree that knocking around on a pushbike in shiny skintight shorts is a much more masculine thing to do.
Sorry if I scared you.
paul.
cheddar said:
Who said anything about drivers being 'hellbent on running down cyclists? Or lorry's hairing round every corner? Or huge busses?
The roads are small, every - and I mean EVERY - vehicle has to come down them, unlike the UK they're not separated by motorways and the driving standards can be poor - inattention, lack of anticipation etc - It was friendly advice, you know, like you asked for, not a threat of militant motoring.
I told you that it's incredible here - better than the postcards, sounds exactly like a 'great picture' to me.
As for the MX5/bloke thing, I agree that knocking around on a pushbike in shiny skintight shorts is a much more masculine thing to do.
Sorry if I scared you.
paul.
You did scare me, I'm going to give up cycling now. But on a more serious note, thanks for the advice, I will take it into consideration...The roads are small, every - and I mean EVERY - vehicle has to come down them, unlike the UK they're not separated by motorways and the driving standards can be poor - inattention, lack of anticipation etc - It was friendly advice, you know, like you asked for, not a threat of militant motoring.
I told you that it's incredible here - better than the postcards, sounds exactly like a 'great picture' to me.
As for the MX5/bloke thing, I agree that knocking around on a pushbike in shiny skintight shorts is a much more masculine thing to do.
Sorry if I scared you.
paul.
Hi - holidayed in NZ with a campervan in March a couple of years ago, and hired a roadbike. I used it once.
I love NZ - we moved out here after our holiday. I love road cycling - I train a lot, and race. We have seen a lot of NZ while on holiday and since moving here. There are very few roads. There are long long stretches that must be utterly boring. The weather on the west coast in November can be nasty (and across the central North Island), and the wind can give you a battering. The road surfaces are a very coarse stone chip (worse than the UK, although few potholes) and can be very unpleasant to ride on, although thats on racing tyres. I've spent a fair amount of time contemplating giving up cycling.
I am not sure the traffic is as bad as has been made out, however around the 'major' centres the traffic is continuous, and driving standards are poor. Cyclists are expected to ride on the shoulders of the road, which are generally wide, but poorly surfaced, and they collect the crap.
Having said that, there are some epic rides, and I would like to ride from Cape Reinga down to Bluff at some point. Partly depends how much you like each others company. There are a few hardy souls out there doing what you intend to do - I don't envy them.
I would be more inclined to hire a car, and hire MTBs to do some of the great rides - look up the 42nd Traverse.
I love NZ - we moved out here after our holiday. I love road cycling - I train a lot, and race. We have seen a lot of NZ while on holiday and since moving here. There are very few roads. There are long long stretches that must be utterly boring. The weather on the west coast in November can be nasty (and across the central North Island), and the wind can give you a battering. The road surfaces are a very coarse stone chip (worse than the UK, although few potholes) and can be very unpleasant to ride on, although thats on racing tyres. I've spent a fair amount of time contemplating giving up cycling.
I am not sure the traffic is as bad as has been made out, however around the 'major' centres the traffic is continuous, and driving standards are poor. Cyclists are expected to ride on the shoulders of the road, which are generally wide, but poorly surfaced, and they collect the crap.
Having said that, there are some epic rides, and I would like to ride from Cape Reinga down to Bluff at some point. Partly depends how much you like each others company. There are a few hardy souls out there doing what you intend to do - I don't envy them.
I would be more inclined to hire a car, and hire MTBs to do some of the great rides - look up the 42nd Traverse.
Hi Alex
I live in the Christchurch and am a cyclist although more a racer than being into touring. There would be some fantastic places to tour by bike - particularly marlborough sounds and the west coast of the south island. Im not particularly keen on riding on state highway 1 but most other provincial roads are fine for riding on. You will enjoy it as long as the weather is ok.
Aaron
I live in the Christchurch and am a cyclist although more a racer than being into touring. There would be some fantastic places to tour by bike - particularly marlborough sounds and the west coast of the south island. Im not particularly keen on riding on state highway 1 but most other provincial roads are fine for riding on. You will enjoy it as long as the weather is ok.
Aaron
Hey, I've been lucky enough to travel round NZ twice. Both however in powered vehicles (2005 - camper van, and 2008 in a 4x4). On the latest trip we did bump into a guy who was cycling his way round both islands. He was riding solo and towing a small trailer. We got chatting to him and found out that he was a former semi pro road racer, hill climbs being his forte. I'd recommend being very realistic about your daily mileage particularly in the Northlands which is very hilly.
I've only looked at the roads from a motorist's point of view and agree with whats been said before. The main trunk roads arn't huge and are used by road haulage so it best to be careful.
With regards to camping; there are tons of camp sites and hostels. You could forgo the tent if weight/size is an issue and go for a hammock and tarp arrangement. I've used them in the UK without issue, although you'll obviously need some trees to tie on to.
Beware - I took a very lightweight and compact sleeping bag when I went in Sept/Oct/Nov. It was season 1 and it was way too thin for the climate, got a silk sleeping bag liner and it was still too cold.
I can recommend the Abel Tasman reserve - I did a 3 day unguided kayak trip, camping on the beach - it was fantastic.
Cape Reinga at the northern tip of the north Island is amazing as is 90 mile beach.
Auckland isn't all that in my opinion, much like any other western city. Wellington is really nice though, the Te Papa museum if great and free.
Make sure you go for a Hangi in Rotorua as well as the Luge which is fun.
http://www.skylineskyrides.co.nz/rotorua/
How ever you do your tour have a great time.
I've only looked at the roads from a motorist's point of view and agree with whats been said before. The main trunk roads arn't huge and are used by road haulage so it best to be careful.
With regards to camping; there are tons of camp sites and hostels. You could forgo the tent if weight/size is an issue and go for a hammock and tarp arrangement. I've used them in the UK without issue, although you'll obviously need some trees to tie on to.
Beware - I took a very lightweight and compact sleeping bag when I went in Sept/Oct/Nov. It was season 1 and it was way too thin for the climate, got a silk sleeping bag liner and it was still too cold.
I can recommend the Abel Tasman reserve - I did a 3 day unguided kayak trip, camping on the beach - it was fantastic.
Cape Reinga at the northern tip of the north Island is amazing as is 90 mile beach.
Auckland isn't all that in my opinion, much like any other western city. Wellington is really nice though, the Te Papa museum if great and free.
Make sure you go for a Hangi in Rotorua as well as the Luge which is fun.
http://www.skylineskyrides.co.nz/rotorua/
How ever you do your tour have a great time.
Strangely I was just reading this:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&p...
and planning a similar trip in the next few months.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&p...
and planning a similar trip in the next few months.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff