Cancelled - South Island Tour-New Zealand

This Ride has been Cancelled

† 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

 New Zealand’s South Island and its West Coast have been popular with overseas and local cyclists for the last 30 years.  The range of natural scenery, the undulating terrain, and the wonderful lodgings make for a memorable tour.  April is generally a drier time of the year on the West Coast, but this part of New Zealand is a rainforest, and rain is likely at some point on the tour. 

The 16-day tour starts and ends in Christchurch. Upon leaving Christchurch, we ride up and along the Port Hills overlooking the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. From there, our tour route travels north and west to capture several scenic highlights, namely Hanmer Springs, Buller Gorge, Pancake Rocks, before heading south on State Highway 6 to the Glaciers, and the big lakes of Otago.  We cycle through the yellow and brown tussock hill country of Central Otago and the MacKenzie on the East Coast. Where possible, we have selected quiet roads to maximize your enjoyment and safety.   April is a quieter month for tourist traffic and enjoys good weather. 

RIDE RATING: The overall ride rating for this trip is 3C.  The average distance per day for the 13 days of riding is 64 miles and the average elevation gain is 2825 feet.  For the long-distance aficionados, six of the 13 days exceed the “C” rating of 65 miles: Day 3 (81 miles); Day 4 (84 miles); Day 5 (76 miles) ;Day 8 (84 miles); Day12 (89 miles);and  Day 14 (93 miles).  Four days exceed the 3 rating for 3500 feet for elevation: Day 4 (4915); Day 5 (4330); Day 12 (5500); and Day14 (4528).  If a participant took all the shorter options, the average distance per day would be 42 miles with an average elevation gain of 2028 feet for a 2B rating. The distances and elevations were calculated by driving the route, and your actual riding distances and elevations may vary.   For a brochure describing each day in detail, and for an Excel spreadsheet detailing daily distances and elevations, please contact the Ride Coordinator. 

BIKES: If you bring your own bike, we strongly recommend it have 700 x 28c tires due to the many chip seal roads. There are a few steep, but short climbs with some being at 15 degrees.  Bike boxes will be stored free of charge in Christchurch. 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 will be staying at unique lodgings, many with great views.  These include Distinction Hotel at Fox Glacier, Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, and Lake Ohau Lodge with its wonderful views of the lake and mountains. 

LOGISTICS: The tour begins at Happy Hour at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 25 at the Orari Bed and Breakfast in central Christchurch with introductions, and a safety and tour briefing.  Our New Zealand support team will provide transfers from Christchurch Airport throughout the day by prior arrangement (bicycletours@xtra.co.nz) They will be available to fit rental bikes. 

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

WEATHER: Temperatures in late March and April in the South Island are typically 63 degrees during the day and 45 degrees at night.  Remember, the weather can be changeable in New Zealand, so you will need to have suitable clothing for a wide range of conditions.  As always in New Zealand, you will need warm and water-proof clothing for cycling and walking.

COSTS: The tour cost is $4900 per person with twin occupancy and the costs are based on the New Zealand dollar being valued at US$0.70. Currency fluctuations may affect the final price. This includes 15 nights of lodging with breakfast, nine lunches and 12 dinners, arrival transfers on Day One and departure transfers to Christchurch airport or hotels on Day 16, vans for shuttles and transporting luggage, cycling snacks, drinks and water, maps and route notes and happy hour expenses featuring NZ wines and craft beers and admission to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pool.  The price does not include airfare to or from Christchurch, entry fees to optional activities, or beverages at included dinners or everyday gratuities. 
  
SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: A limited number of solo rooms are available at approximately $1820.   It is recommended that singles that want a roommate try to find their own. However, 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 they are unable to find a roommate, they 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 that 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.

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 are expected to share the 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.  Do keep the Ride Coordinator informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Coordinator’s decisions.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The BAC overseas ride registration fee and payment processing fee is 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 cancelled or recovered.  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 when the replacement participant pays their fees.  If the cancelling participant is not replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other tour costs that cannot be cancelled or 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 deposit amount of USD $1400 paid to NZBicycletours is not refundable if the participant is not replaced.   BAC strongly encourages participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

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.