Saturday, December 26, 2009
Depart Home

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Travel Day. Crossing the international dateline causes us to lose a day en route to New Zealand.

Monday, December 28, 2009
Arrival Day. A chance to recover from the flight and enjoy the scenery as we transfer from Christchurch airport and head south to the small farming town of Geraldine [population 2,000]. Having settled into your accommodation there will be time to stretch your legs before bike assembly. Geraldine is famous for its local fruit wines. Following a tour briefing, the first group dinner will round off the day.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A relatively challenging days cycling to start us off on the adventure with 2 climbs of 300-400m [1000-1300ft] and an overall altitude gain of 600m [2000ft] as we leave the Canterbury Plains behind. As we climb the rewards come in the form of spectacular views of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo has an incredible azure blue color caused by glacial runoff.
Today's ride distance: 54 mi

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Today’s route takes us on a pleasant, gently rolling ride alongside Lake Pukaki for much of the day - then by the canals and the glacier fed Southern Lakes of the McKenzie Basin toward the looming bulk of Mt Cook. The final part of the day is a gradual climb to the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain [3800m/ /12500ft] – first along the western shore of Lake Pukaki, then alongside the Tasman River. There are wonderful views from Mount Cook village, our destination for the night.
Today's ride distance: 60 mi

Thursday, December 31, 2009
Another generally relaxed day, retracing our lakeside route for the first stretch before rolling on south to Omarama, a small country town named by local Maori origin as ‘place of moonlight’ due to its clear skies and spectacular mountain backdrop.  This is sheep country renowned for the quality of the Merino wool that they produce. The good thermal currents around Omarama make it a popular gliding destination.
Today's ride distance: 60 mi

Tour Details:
14 Days / 13 Nights

Travel Dates:
December 26, 2009 - January 10, 2010

Trip Start / End Location:
Christchurch, New Zealand

Cost:
$2995* per person / $5990* per tandem team

Average Mileage:
Approximately 60 miles per day

Friday, January 1, 2010
From Omarama we follow the Ahuriri River upstream as we ride west. The ascent becomes increasingly demanding as we approach the Lindis Pass [1000m/3300ft].  Once over the pass, 20km/12miles of gentle descending takes us to the Lindis River and the scene of New Zealand’s first gold rush in the mid 1800’s.  After a short, sharp 2km climb over Cluden Hill, it’s a relaxed flat ride along Lake Dunstan to the vineyards and fruit orchards of Cromwell.
Today's ride distance: 72 mi

Saturday, January 2, 2010
From Cromwell we follow the course of the Kawarau River through the gorge of the same name. The scenery in the gorge is stunning with jagged rock formations projecting from the canyon walls. At the southern end of the gorge is the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, site of New Zealand’s oldest and most popular bungy jumping operation – a chance for adrenaline junkies to get their fix! Continuing west we cross the Shotover River and make a final ascent before dropping down into the heart of beautiful Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, if not the world.
Today's ride distance: 42 mi

Sunday, January 3, 2010
Surrounded by glacier-rounded hills and rugged mountain peaks, Queenstown is the country’s major resort centre, and the base for a variety of excursions and side trips into the surrounding mountain country. There are numerous adventure activities including bungy jumping (jump naked and it’s free), rafting, jet boating and mountain biking. For something a little more relaxing you might enjoy taking the steamer T.S.S. Earnslaw, brought to Lake Wakatipu in 1912, on an excursion around the lake. On the north-west side of the town, an aerial cableway rises 446m up Bobs Peak to a restaurant from which there is a magnificent view over the town and the lake.

Monday, January 4, 2010
Today we have a classic “Tour de France” climb on the Crown Range Road, the country’s highest highway, from 300 to 1100 metres (1000ft-3650ft) over 9 miles of hairpins & switchbacks. The scenery, if you can catch your breath long enough to drink it in, is fabulous! We recover from the climb as we cruise down to Wanaka. The town, which is the gateway to the Mount Aspiring National Park offers the chance to take in the lovely lakeside scenery of Central Otago at a less frantic pace than that of Queenstown.
Today's ride distance: 46 mi

Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Today we leave Central Otago and head west for the rugged scenery and ancient forests of the Southern West Coast (also known as the “WET Coast”), an area renowned for lush native forests and wild beaches. The day starts with a series of climbs before a gradual descent to the coast and a marked change from the open countryside of east of the Alps to the native forests and the unspoiled beaches of the west. The day starts with a ride alongside lake Hawea before crossing the saddle known as the Neck and then continuing above lake Wanaka. There is a climb to Haast Pass and a great descent beside the Haast River to meet the coast at Haast Junction.
Today's ride distance: 87 mi

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Three short climbs early in the day are the prelude to a flat to gently rolling ride with towering mountains to the right, and  wonderful coastal vistas to the left. We pass through ancient lush native forests and countryside from a largely untouched world. Three long, single lane suspension bridges span raging rivers as we approach Fox Glacier. An after dinner walk to the glow-worm grotto provides your entertainment for the evening.
Today's ride distance: 85 mi

Thursday, January 7, 2010
A short, but demanding days cycling allowing plenty of time to visit and appreciate the stunning scenery of Fox & Franz Josef glaciers. Options include guided glacier walks through scenes reminiscent of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ or you might like to hike to Lake Matheson and enjoy one of the most famous panoramas in New Zealand, with postcard views of the mountains and their reflections in the waters of the lake. There is also the opportunity to visit a seal colony at isolated Gillespies Beach.
Today's ride distance: 15 mi

Friday, January 8, 2010
An undulating series of moderately demanding climbs starts the day, followed by a relaxed ride along the coastline to the historic gold mining town of Hokitika, the second largest town on the West Coast [population 4,000].  Much of the ride is through thick rainforest. Hokitika offers a chance to view the local jade [locally know as Pounamu/ Greenstone] workers at their craft or the wander the stunning beaches for the last time, as we prepare to leave the West Coast.
Today's ride distance: 66 mi

Saturday, January 9, 2010
We pack up the tandems prior to departing Hokitika for Christchurch via a bus transfer. The route takes us from the forests & beaches of the west via the Southern Alps (and Arthur’s Pass) to the open farmland of the Canterbury Plains. Once in Christchurch, we can wander the ‘Garden City’ - attractions such as the Art Centre and Botanical Gardens offer gentle relaxation to recover from and reflect upon the great ride of the previous days.

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Transfer to Christchurch Airport. Depart. Arrive in US on same day.

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