Touring New Zealand ???

[RoadRaven]

I might live here, but I actually know very little about cycling here other than road racing and training in Hawkes Bay. Come here, the cars are getting used to us, and even the local council has agreed to start erecting signs on our regular race routes.

I would agree that the South Island is stunning - I traveled for 3 weeks around it last year. I would love to have cycled it instead - lots of long open roads.

There are two great books available in most bookshops here called "Cycling round the North Island" and (surprisingly) "Cycling round the South Island". These books give you cycle distnce/times between centres and towns, places to stop and look at, bike friendly homestays and motels, and cycle shops. if you are not joining an organised tour, then these books would give you some great guidance.

[nomummytummy]

I'm in Wellington, but a born & bred Sydneysider. I have found riding in Wellington mostly great. I've felt safer than I imagined & found drivers to be mainly polite. May have something to do with the crazy roads where patience is requierd whether you are giving way to a bike or another car.

[Susan Otcenas]

We did a two week self-supported tour on the South Island of NZ a few years ago. Here's a link to my trip travelogue:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/adventures/nz.asp

This was my second trip cycling in NZ. The first one was mostly on the North Island.

Susan