Biking in NZ

[bgd]

Hi folks,

Just found this site.

Biking doesn't seem to be big in NZ, well in Chch at least. Was out there for 3 months over summer and could count the number of bikes I saw on 2 hands. Is this the impact of lower car prices or was I just in the wrong place?

[Slim]

With the South Island on their back doorstep, I imagine all the bikes were out & about in the countryside. :D

There's plenty of bikes up here in the North Island. :)

[wkid_one]

I hope you didn't try and count the bikers on your two hands while you were riding?

[Duke of Rogan]

Originally posted by bgd
Biking doesn't seem to be big in NZ, well in Chch at least. Was out there for 3 months over summer and could count the number of bikes I saw on 2 hands.

did you get around the island?
I'm planning to spend atleast a couple of weeks down there next summer and try and cover most of the countryside, and hope to meet a few others doing the same. :niceone:

[wkid_one]

I'd be keen for an SI trip in summer

[Coldkiwi]

probably cheap imports and perceived cold weather (british riders, don't shoot me down!).

I saw heaps of bikes at wanaka and up the west coast two years agao when I went to the Warbirds air show. that's inspired me to do my own trip down there so if Wkid's going I may well join him!

 

[Duke of Rogan]

I'm 99% certain to go next summer, my Dad owns a chalet/resturant setup in Mt Somers, so I'll probably base myself out of there. I havent seen the place yet, but I know there's plenty of tent space (paddocks :) )

I'd love to get to the warbirds show in Wanaka too, what date was that on Coldkiwi?

[wkid_one]

Count me in - you guys can pick me up on the way through - also gives you aplace to stop over in Wellington for the night.

[georgedubyabush]

i think it's around easter wknd for warbirds. same as goldrush hillclimb. least it was when I did the dunners thing

[bgd]

I was mainly around Chch and it was probably the lack of bike commuters that I noticed. That could be down to the fact that Chch doesn't yet have the traffic problems we have in the UK and (from the sounds of it) Auckland. I got into biking as a way to beat traffic congestion.

On that trip I wasn't on a bike, however as I will be spending more and more time out there I can see a NZ based bike in the near future.

[Marmoot]

Boyd Honda guys (Hamilton) does South Island run (2-week trip) annually. Give them a ring to see what month they're going to go. I think it is around February.

[wkid_one]

Sounds good - keep us posted

[Pickle]

Hi bgd

The South Island of NZ has some of the best bike riding country in NZ, so the reason you never saw any bikes in Christchurch was that they were all out enjoying the roads.

My wife & I have travelled a lot in the South Island & usually take a trip there every year. Next year we are planning to go to Invercargill via the Catlins ( Dunedin to Invercargill via the coast). The West coast would have to be the best, next time you are in NZ splash out & rent a bike you will enjoy it more:niceone:

[wkid_one]

Yeah - certainly some of the best road surfaces for riding I hear.

[Pickle]

Hey Wkid

the surfaces are great BUT really hard on tyres, especially the top of the South but:whocares:

[Pickle]

Oops forgot to say that the roads have a lot of quartz chip which is a bit of a worry first time you encounter it, but it is quite grippy even in the wet:niceone:

[wkid_one]

That is a quandry for me then - if I run the tyres I usually run - I will be looking for a tyre store half way through the journey?