Saturday, March 29, 2008

Rangiora to Queenstown (Via Arthurs Pass) March 2008

This is our 5th South Island Tour, it was short, the passes and West Coast scenery were spectacular. We also had exceptionally good weather with only one night of rain and very light winds. The route is pictured below. For more photos click here (Check out the map view in Picasa)>>

Day 1: Rangiora to Springfield, 65km
Day 2: Springfield to Bealey, 77km
Day 3: Bealey to Moana(Brunner), 80km
Day 4: Moana to Greymouth 39km
Day 5: Greymouth to Ross, 70km
Day 6: Ross to Franz Joseph, 110km
Day 7: Franz Joseph to Lake Paringa, 99km
Day 8: Lake Paringa to Haast Village, 54km
Day 9: Haast Village to Makarora, 82km
Day 10:Makarora to Wanaka, 69km
Day 11: Wanaka to Queenstown, 74km

From Cycling Rangiora to Queenstown pictures...

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Central Otago and Canterbury January 2007

This is our 4th South Island Tour, which started and ended in Christchurch and took in the Central Otago Rail Trail. The Rail Trail is great fun and highly recommended! The route is pictured below. For more photos click here (Check out the map view in Picasa)>>

Day 1: Christchurch to Ashburton, 93km
Day 2: Ashburton to Timaru, 77km
Day 3: Timaru to Oamaru, 87km
Day 4: Oamaru to Palmerston 62km
Day 5: Palmerston to Middlemarch, 82km
Day 6: Middlemarch to Ranfurly, 63km
Day 7: Ranfurly to Alexandra, 89km
Day 8: Alexandra to Naseby, 87km
Day 9: Naseby to Kurow, 90km
Day 10:Kurow to Timaru, 112km
Day 11: Timaru to Mt Somers, 85km
Day 12: Mt Somers to Christchurch, 117km

From Central Otago 2007 Pictures...

Saturday, February 28, 2004

Coromandel and East Cape Tour February 2004

This is our second North Island Tour, and it was beautiful with spectacular scenery. We also had exceptionally good weather - while we were enjoying the sun and swimming there were huge floods in the lower 1/3 of the North Island! Click for Pictures>

Day 1: Hamilton to Paeroa, 70km
Day 2: Paeroa to Waiomu, 53km
Day 3: Waiomu to Coromandel, 40km
Day 4: Coromandel to Kuaotunu 37km
Day 5: Kuaotunu to Hahei, 43km
Day 6: Hahei to Whangamata, 67km
Day 7: Whangamata to Katikati, 65km
Day 8: Katikati to Te Puke, 73km
Day 9: Te Puke to Ohope Beach, 98km
Day 10:Ohope Beach to Opotiki, 50km
Day 11: Opotiki to Waihou Bay, 103km
Day 12: Waihou Bay to Te Araroa, 48km
Day 13: Te Araroa to Tokomaru Bay, 88km
Day 14: Tokomaru Bay to Tolaga Bay, 40km
Day 15: Tolaga Bay to Gisborne, 58km
Day 16: Gisborne to Morere, 61km
Day 17: Morere to Kotemaori, 91km
Day 18: Kotemaori to Napier, 80km

From Coromandel and East Cape Pictures...

Thursday, January 30, 2003

Taranaki and Central Plateau January 2003

This is our first North Island Tour, in many respects it exceeded our expectations - the roads were less busy, the scenery more astounding and places more interesting than we expected. We also had exceptionally good weather!

Day 1: Okaiawa to Opunake, 35km
Day 2: Opunake to New Plymouth, 70km
Day 3: New Plymouth to Stratford, 43km
Day 4: Stratford to Whangamomona, 63km
Day 5: Whangamomona to Taumaranui, 96km
Day 6: Taumaranui to Tokaanu, 61km
Day 7: Tokaanu to Taupo, 57km
Day 8: Taupo to Papakai, 81km
Day 9: Papakai to Raetihi, 65km
Day 10:Raetihi to Wanganui, 99km
Day 11: Wanganui to Waverley Beach, 56km
Day 12: Waverley Beach to Okaiawa, 68km

From Taranaki and Central Plateau; Ce...

Sunday, January 30, 2000

Central Otago Loop January 2000

This loop ride around the centre of the Otago Province of the South Island offers lots of variety. It is a fairly gentle 524km ride which offers plenty of places to explore and a some fantastic scenery. We split the trip into 7 days, but you will want to spend a few days in Queenstown at least. Queenstown is New Zealand's number one visitor destination and it has lots to offer everyone. We used B'n'B, camping ground cabins and motels for accommodation on this trip. All of the places we visited are good places to explore and enjoy.

Day 1: Dunedin Airport to Balclutha, 45km
Day 2: Balclutha to Gore, 73km
Day 3: Gore to Kingston, 122 km
Day 4: Kingston to Queenstown, 46km
Day 5: Queenstown to Alexandra, 72km
Day 6: Alexandra to Milton, 124km
Day 7: Milton to Dunedin, 42km

From Central Otago Loop...

Saturday, January 30, 1999

Queenstown to Wellington January 1999

The route from Queenstown to Picton, via the South Island West Coast is beautiful! The lakes, passes, mountains and coastline are almost second to none. The subtropical rainforest in the south is lush and then the Nikau Palms further north are almost tropical. The Haast Pass is best experienced with some rain - which is likely! The Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers are an absolute must see. Take your time and enjoy this ride.

Day 1: Queenstown to Wanaka, 59km
Day 2: Wanaka to Haast, 143km
Day 3: Haast to Bruce Bay, 60 km
Day 4: Bruce Bay to Franz Joseph, 88km
Day 5: Franz Joseph to Harihari, 62km
Day 6: Harihari to Hokitika, 73km
Day 7: Hokitika to 12 Mile Bay, 60km
Day 8: 12 Mile Bay to Westport, 49km
Day 9: Westport to Owen River, 109km
Day 10: Owen River to Blenheim, 145km
Day 11: Blenheim to Picton (Wellington), 28km

From Queenstown to...

Friday, January 30, 1998

Wellington to Christchurch January 1998

Wellington to Nelson was our first cycle touring trip with our Tandem in the South Island. It is a fairly gentle 450km ride which offers plenty of places to explore and a bit of wilderness touring. We split the trip into 6 days, but the stretch over the Rainbow Station between St Arnaud, 80km, could be done in one day. This means you would not need to camp out and could use cabins, hostels, backpackers or B'n'B for accommodation. All of the places we visited are good places to spend a day or two if you had time.

Day 1: Wellington to Nelson, 128km
Day 2: Nelson to Brightwater, 30km
Day 3: Brightwater to St Arnaud, 80km
Day 4: St Arnaud to Coldwater Creek, 40km
Day 5: Coldwater Creek to Hanmer Springs, 40km
Day 6: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch, 137km

From Wellington to Christchurch...