[Jezza]

Is anyone here into cycling? I'm planning a bike tour of NZ and am looking for local advice on good routes. I'm thinking of bringing my own bike over - a Dawes MTB hybrid on semi-slicks - and basically doing a north to south with a bit of east to west thrown in as well. I'd be interested in any tips from people who've been cycle touring in NZ.

[Jenny & Mark]

I haven't been on a cycling tour in NZ yet, but I only know of people that have gone south to north as the most mountainous sections are completed first.

Cheers, Mark.

[Jezza]

The mountains are to be interesting, for sure - I live in East Anglian which is flat as a pancake, but windy to make up for it.

Starting in South Island sounds a bit like throwing yourself in at the deep end. At the moment the plan, roughly, is fly into Auckland, 3 or 4 days in the city then out towards Coromandel staying in DOC campsites with occasional backpackers for variety. Then Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Rotorua, Murupara, through Te Urewera NP, Wairoa, then south down the coast to Napier. From there inland again across Kaweka Forest Park to Taihape, then north to Ohakune for some R&R and a refreshing tramp around the Tongariro Northern Circuit. After than, south by southwest.

How does that sound so far? :nice1

[KerryS]

Sounds like an excellent journey. I only took up cycling a few months ago, so cn't help with any advice, but am in awe of your planned trip! I'd love to do something similar if I had the time.

[Moorf]

Not sure how much you like cycling over mountain ranges, but pretty much everyday day I see what we jokingly refer to as "nutters on bikes" heading along the West Coast Road towards the Alps... I can barely DRIVE over them!! :laugh

[zardell]

pretty much everyday day I see what we jokingly refer to as "nutters on bikes" heading along the West Coast Road towards the Alps... I can barely DRIVE over them!! :laugh

Take that to mean you can barely drive over the Alps, not the 'nutters on bikes'..........:laugh

Julie

xx

[Moorf]

:laugh:laugh:laugh

Depends if they're cycling side by side, up hill, on a narrow road - hubby been very tempted to drive over them !!