The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

New Zealand South Island Road Highlights

March 31st to April 15th

Ride Coordinator: Aaron Rosenthal
Report by: Marylu Lehman

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takimano”
“My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective”
*Organized, thoughtful, tenacious, steady leader.
*Organized, thoughtful, tenacious, steady, experienced, energetic 3rd party support
team.
*18 adventurous, bike loving individuals gather to share a journey.
When it all clicks...the Maori proverb rings so true, days melt together, we climb every
mountain, outwit every challenge and have a barrel of fun!
First, THANK YOU to the amazing support team New Zealand Bicycle Tours! True
Kiwi’s: Brian Farrent, Carol Gibb, Lynette Hartley. Brian, founder of NZBT, lifelong
bicyclist, knows most every inch of the islands, always stayed several steps ahead of
the group to keep us safe and informed. Carole, NZBT manager, dietitian, cook
extRORdinaire…kept us happy and well fed! Lynette! Ask her any flora, fauna, trail or
ornithological question! Incredible! They spoiled us rotten and seriously went above
and beyond throughout!
New Zealand should be on everyones’ bucket list. Friendly proud people, the
landscape varied and beautiful. With many side trips to experience, some that stand
out include: Parks, museums, memorials of Christchurch, pools of Hamner Hot
Springs, kayaking Lake Moeraki and an educational walk/talk through its’ tropical
forest to a river cove that houses the worlds largest fresh water eels, Pancake Rocks
(picturesque coastal phenomenon) and our last day surprise visiting a working sheep
farm, our tip - save sheep, buy more wool!
Three extra-cost unforgettable trips: Heads up, each trip/weather dependent.
1)Glow Worm Caves -The caves are three levels, each with its own story. They are like
viewing a beautiful galaxy, as you float slowly downstream on inner tubes. Sounds
crazy but worth every moment!
2)Fox Glacier Heli-hike - The flight, short and sweet, glacial formations up close are
jaw- dropping and we each filled our water bottles with for-real glacial water -YUM.
The experienced guide enjoyed our enthusiasm.
3)Milford Sound- If you can stomach a Cessna, DON’T MISS THIS. So lucky to have
all three excursions go. An incredible viewing.
Trip descriptions explain, in good detail, about our daily riding. Not mentionedweather,
50-70 degrees, from rain to beautiful sun. Road conditions, well done chip
seal. Traffic in April definitely lightens up from the summer, but experience is necessary
for these 2 lane rural highways. There are few roads to choose from, and with
significant distances between accommodations, it was proven by a handful of the
riders, that every mile CAN be completed. I praise the van drivers for always being
there. One day, three of us realized the stunning valley of roadside waterfalls and
tropical foliage and became mesmerized by the beauty. Oops, we earned a ride to the
next stop. After a quick mid morning tea, off we rode up Haast Pass, a very doable but
challenging effort.
Accommodations! As I’ve found with the few BAC trips I’ve been on, they’re well
thought out. We landed some pretty awesome locations that make you smile at the end
of a long day of cycling. Many had laundry facilities, which always seemed to avail
themselves at the perfect time.
Our leader Aaron, delivered on the beautiful, adventure packed, tour that he led with
his heart and soul. From detailed pre-trip information and communication, to always
providing a well thought out answer, to the upbeat bicycling and adventure quotes to
begin our happy hours. We know there were days that sanity was tested, but Aaron
always showed up. I, for one, am so grateful….Tena rawa ate koe (thank you:)