Mountain bike touring in NZ

[snowtulip]

Thanks CC!

[crazycanuck]

Just sitting & pondering more for you..Please don't limit yourself to the South Island

What about renting a touring van (kea campers?) and doing some tracks in certain parts of the north & south island ??

1-The Colville Connection www.colvilleconnection.co.nz

2-The Karapoti classic near Wellington-you can do the course outside of the actual event day

3-Mtn biking in the Rotorua region & beyond..

That's all i can think of..must go to bed..

c

[snowtulip]

That's something we might consider. Our last few trips have involved shear human power (feet or bike) to get us through countries and we are really loving that. But on our last trip, we finished our trek a week early and ended up renting a car that last week and really enjoyed it. So we've been considering doing 2 or 3 weeks human powered, and then the last week take a break and kick back with a rental.

So many options, and then I started to look at the Munda Biddi trail, and am wondering if we should do that!

Too many places to see, too little time!

Thanks for all of your help!

[crazycanuck]

Hey, hmmm..Another thought..mmmm

If you want to do the Munda Biddi until the end you could then do a hike along the Bibbulmun Track..http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

If you need help with logistics, let me know. I'm sure we could find a way to drop stuff off for you at Collie.

c

[DirtDiva]

I'm doing the Queen Charlotte Walkway in four weeks time, so I'll be able to give you a first-hand account. Bear in mind that about half of that is closed to MTB traffic Dec-Feb. There are heaps and heaps and heaps of places to ride in the South Island. If you manage to be here in the school hols I'll even show you some of it. To get the most of the best riding, renting a van or something would be the way to go. You could still do plenty of 2/3 day rides, but you'd miss the best of the singletrack trying to lug paniers or trailers.

A sample of the riding that can be done just on Department of Conservation land: clicky-clicky - everything listed from Nelson/Malborough on is SI.

[snowtulip]

Thanks dirt diva, let me know how it goes! I also appreciate the offer! There looks to be so much wonderful mountain biking in New Zealand! I can't wait. Part of the fun is figuring everything out and all that I want to see.

[RoadRaven]

I'm doing the Queen Charlotte Walkway in four weeks time, so I'll be able to give you a first-hand account.

One of my work collegues who is also a training partner (when we can get it together ) did this with her sister last summer.

She LUUUURVED it, and I was ready to chuck in road racing and take up off-roading only based on her rave review.

[DirtDiva]

Dooooo eeet!

[DirtDiva]

She also said earlier:

Just sitting & pondering more for you..Please don't limit yourself to the South Island

And yes, less work and more dirt.

[snowtulip]

If we end up renting the van, we'll visit north island. If we just tour, I've heard the traffic is killer and should be avoided at all cost. Should it?

Still thinking a mix would be good. Three weeks touring on the bike, then renting the van for a week to hit other spots to just enjoy mountain biking!

[nomummytummy]

If we end up renting the van, we'll visit north island. If we just tour, I've heard the traffic is killer and should be avoided at all cost. Should it?

I think it depends upon where you are actually. I would get a fluro yellow vest or jacket to increase visibility from a distance when touring.

if you come to the Nth Is, we are in Wellington which is where you'd come in on the ferry or by plane. Makara Park is a great place to get off road.
http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places...ak/tracks.html

If you want to meet up with other cyclists for a ride or a meal, do PM me & I can show you around.

L