openroad
11-14-08, 03:19 PM
IVE GOT FIVE WEEKS TOURING IN NZ and would like to know which island would be best. i have a mate in Queenstown ,so would drop in on him.
Also any ideas on routes,
cheers
Also any ideas on routes,
cheers
Australia - New Zealand - north or sth Island NZ in January
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gnome
11-18-08, 01:57 AM
IVE GOT FIVE WEEKS TOURING IN NZ and would like to know which island would be best. i have a mate in Queenstown ,so would drop in on him.
Also any ideas on routes,
cheers
I haven't ridden in the North Island so I would say the South Island.:D I biked up and down the East Coast of the South Island and it took me about four days to go from Christchurch to Picton (ferry crossing to the North Island) and four days back.
The coast road was very nice to ride. If you are not biking in the middle of summer then the inland scenic route from Kiakoura to Waiau. It is a nice road, but in summer it will be very hot and there is no shade for most of the ride.
One thing to be aware of in NZ is the drivers. I hate to say it but they are pretty bad; not indicating and passing too close or passing in unsafe spots. Wear bright clothing if possible.
If you choose the South Island be aware that on the East Coast the Canterbury plains are flat and moderately boring to ride across. I did a short holiday down to Geraldine on year and the straight roads on the plains were a bit boring at 20kmh. I don't know what the roads are like to ride further south.
Good luck with your tour.
Also any ideas on routes,
cheers
I haven't ridden in the North Island so I would say the South Island.:D I biked up and down the East Coast of the South Island and it took me about four days to go from Christchurch to Picton (ferry crossing to the North Island) and four days back.
The coast road was very nice to ride. If you are not biking in the middle of summer then the inland scenic route from Kiakoura to Waiau. It is a nice road, but in summer it will be very hot and there is no shade for most of the ride.
One thing to be aware of in NZ is the drivers. I hate to say it but they are pretty bad; not indicating and passing too close or passing in unsafe spots. Wear bright clothing if possible.
If you choose the South Island be aware that on the East Coast the Canterbury plains are flat and moderately boring to ride across. I did a short holiday down to Geraldine on year and the straight roads on the plains were a bit boring at 20kmh. I don't know what the roads are like to ride further south.
Good luck with your tour.
clipperton
11-27-08, 02:37 PM
like gnome i've only done the south island. i did about 3 weeks from christchurch down to queenstown and then up the west coast in december last year with a bunch of friends and had a ball. as gnome said, the canterbury plains are kinda rolling and not quite so "dramatic" as what you get a little further south. real highlights for us were the canal route out of lake tekapo passing lake pukaki and mt cook and the whoopin'-hollerin'-70+kms/h-on-a-fully-loaded-bike downhill from lindis pass.
the climbs on the way down to queenstown were all nicely graded but if you have to tackle haast pass or arthur's pass (and even some of the climbs around the glaciers) then be sure you've got a nice granny gear.
didn't have so many problems with drivers - for the most part the bulk of traffic was campervans and they seem to appreciate having somebody else to blame for their only doing 20kms/h.
get hold of a copy of "pedaller's paradise" - it's a guidebook that gives great information specific to cycle touring. costs $12 and you'll get your money's worth before you even leave.
http://www.paradise-press.co.nz/ppguides.html
you going alone or with others?
the climbs on the way down to queenstown were all nicely graded but if you have to tackle haast pass or arthur's pass (and even some of the climbs around the glaciers) then be sure you've got a nice granny gear.
didn't have so many problems with drivers - for the most part the bulk of traffic was campervans and they seem to appreciate having somebody else to blame for their only doing 20kms/h.
get hold of a copy of "pedaller's paradise" - it's a guidebook that gives great information specific to cycle touring. costs $12 and you'll get your money's worth before you even leave.
http://www.paradise-press.co.nz/ppguides.html
you going alone or with others?