North Island Tour-New Zealand

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

The 16-day tour begins in Auckland on the North Island and ends in Christchurch located on the South Island.  New Zealand’s North Island has many quiet and paved secondary roads leading to a wide variety of scenery from coastal vistas to native bush clad hills, lakes, mountains and rolling farmland, and to New Zealand’s largest cities of Auckland and Wellington.  The range of natural scenery, the undulating terrain, and the wonderful lodgings, plus the bonus travel down the east coast of the South Island and back to Christchurch, make for a memorable tour.

The riding starts with a loop ride on Day 1 through countryside outside Auckland and taking in views of the rugged West Coast beach of Muriwai.   On Day 2, we start with a van transfer to the village of Clevedon located south of Auckland, and a mainly coastal ride to the Coromandel Peninsula, known for its lush native bush, hills, and beautiful beaches.  From the Coromandel Peninsula, we transfer to the outskirts of Waihi to avoid heavy traffic, and then cycle on quiet roads through the Hauraki Plains, past Lake Taupo, then cycle down to Tongariro National Park.  Mount Ruapehu is one of the three active volcanic mountains of the dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park.  The route continues southwest to the coastal town of Whanganui, passing through some of the toughest farming land in the North Island. We then transfer to the small country town of Ashhurst to cycle on to the Wairarapa, an area known for its excellent farmland and vineyards.  We spend two nights in the attractive harbor city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. We then travel by ferry to the South Island where we cycle to the town of Havelock and visit vineyards, particularly famous for their sauvignon blanc.  We travel on to Kaikoura, situated on a beautiful piece of New Zealand’s coast.  Kaikoura is famous for its crayfish.  We then cycle in the pleasant country of North Canterbury and finish the tour with a transfer back to Christchurch for our last night. For a brochure describing each day in detail, and for an Excel spreadsheet detailing daily distances and elevations, please contact the Ride Coordinator. 

RIDE RATING: The rating overall for this trip is 3C.  The following days exceed the 3C rating for mileage:  Day 6 (56 miles and 3600 feet); Day 7 (74 miles and 5000 feet);Day 9 (82 miles and 3900 feet), and Day 10 (73 miles and 3100 feet).  For the 12 days of cycling, the average cycling distance is 52 miles and the average elevation gain is 2600 feet.  We'll cycle 621 miles over the 12 cycling days of this 16-day trip. If a participant took all the shorter options, the average distance would be 40 miles, and the average elevation gain would be 1738 feet for a 2B rating.  The distance and elevations are based on driving the route, and actual distances and elevations may vary.

BIKES: If you bring your own bike, we strongly recommend it be equipped with tires of 700 x 28c or wider due to the many chip seal roads of New Zealand. The climbs are steep, though usually short, with some at 15 degrees.  Your bike boxes will be transferred to Christchurch at no additional cost. Both road and hybrid bikes are available for rent for NZ $300, and tandems are available for rent at NZ $600.  You must make rental arrangements directly with NZBicycletours (bicycletours@xtra.co.nz).

LODGING:  We stay at unique accommodations along the way:  Okoroire Spa Hotel with its natural hot water mineral pools; Out in the Styx, family lodge near a predator free bush reserve; and Chateau Tongariro, one of New Zealand’s oldest and grandest hotels situated at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. 

LOGISTICS:  We will begin this tour in downtown Auckland at the Sebel Suites with a happy hour and dinner.  Airport transfers will be available on Saturday, March 7 from 8:00am-5:00 pm, and on Sunday, March 8th from 8:00am-11:00 am. Transfers from the Orari Bed and Breakfast to the Christchurch Airport will be available on March 22, 2020. 

NZBicycletours will provide vans that will transport us to our routes, but will not function generally as SAG vehicles.  Riders will be expected to complete the assigned route for the day absent injury or illness.

WEATHER: The temperature in March is temperate and the weather at this time of the year is generally known for its lack of wind and rain with long and fine spells but changeable weather. Temperatures in March in the North Island are typically a comfortable 75 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night.  Remember the weather is unpredictable in New Zealand, so you will need to bring clothing for a wide range of conditions. As always, you will need warm and water-proof clothing for cycling and walking.

COSTS: The tour cost of $4900 per person and is based on the New Zealand dollar being valued at US $0.70.  Currency fluctuations may affect the price. The price includes 15 nights of lodging with breakfast, nine lunches and 12 dinners, arrival transfers on Day 1 from 8:.00 – 10:00 am and Day Zero 8:00 - 5:00 pm.  The tour price also covers departure transfers to Christchurch airport or hotels on Day 16, vans to transport us and luggage, cycling snacks, drinks and water, maps and route notes and happy hour expenses featuring NZ wines and craft beers and the Interislander Ferry ticket Wellington to Picton.  The price does not include airfare to Auckland or any other flights, entry fees to optional activities, beverages at included dinners or everyday gratuities. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: A limited number of solo supplements are available at approximately $1680. It is recommended that a single who wants a roommate try to find their own.  After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until September 1, 2019 to find a roommate.  If you are unable to find a roommate, you will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1680 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  

If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Coordinator will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by September 1, 2019. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $100 BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant cannot be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  In addition to BAC’s cancellation policy, after January 31, 2020, the amount of USD $1400 paid to NZBicycletours is not refundable if the participant is not replaced. BAC strongly encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Coordinators are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Coordinator.  While on the ride, support your Ride Coordinator with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Coordinator informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Coordinator’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Coordinator will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $2000 by credit card. The second payment of $1500 is due on June 1, 2019, and last payment of $1400 is due on September 1, 2019.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Coordinator, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.