Originally Posted by fblum
We were on a New Zealand South Isle tour (not exclusively cycling) last summer and from the window of our van we were glad not to be cycling on many stretches. They have a limited number of roads and often there is no alternative to the main highway -esp. on the west coast there are long stretches where I wouldn't be happy riding I would really read up about the different routes and be prepared to skip a few of the more remote west coast stretches. Otherwise it is a great place to visit, watch for orcs at night!
I agree with you. There are places I wouldn't ride either. Our local main road, I only ride under protest. Yet I see tourists on it every day, which is crazy as there is alternatives for all but 25 of the 90 km. We have stoped and talked to some of them. But they either don't have maps at all or have ones with a huge scale, that don't show the small roads.
I'me in the process of writing up the alternative route to go a a friends touring web site. Hoping the message will get out there.
Cheers Brian