ABOUT THE TOURS
Our tours represent excellent value because they include so much! They are “all-inclusive” meaning your meals, accommodation, bike hire (electric or standard mountain bike) and transport costs are all included in the price.
We provide the highest level of support you can get on these trails. We have 2 professional guides on every tour with 1 providing full vehicle support and the other supporting our guests riding on the trails. We set up morning teas and picnics, make sure your bikes are clean, fully charged and working well each day and look after any problems that may arise. You don’t need to worry about anything!
Our tours are not just about cycling through beautiful scenery. Depending on the tour, it may include a helicopter flight, jet boat ride, boat cruise, scenic train trip, hot pools, wine tastings and/or visits to must-see attractions. These activities are listed on the relevant tour page and included in the overall price you pay for the trip.
All included meals are listed in the tour details. While you are riding on the trails we provide drinks breaks (soft drinks, sparkling water, juice, tea and coffee) and snacks (fresh fruit, mixed nuts, muesli and oat bars, biscuits, sweets and lollies). Lunch is either a make-your-own picnic (depending on the weather) or a visit to a local café. For dinners we either eat at our accommodation or take you out to fabulous local restaurants (dinners are typically 2 courses).
What is NOT included?
When we visit café’s or restaurants, any alcohol or drinks you order (hot or cold) are not included in the price. That’s it! Everything else is included in the tour price.
We have been operating in the South Island for over 15 years and know all the best places to stay, where to eat and the sights to see. We accept nothing less than the best quality in all aspects of our tour. Please have a look at our reviews!
Yes! We offer group discounts for Group Bookings which increase depending on the number of people in your group. We usually take a maximum of 12 guests on each tour but if you have a group of 10 people in your group, we will run the tour for your group only.
We also offer all our returning guests a discount.
Our cycle tours are “fully-supported”. We always have at least 2 tour guides on every tour (more if we are training guides). Generally 1 guide drives the van and trailer, carrying tools, equipment, 2 spare bikes and all luggage. Anyone who wants to take a break from riding or skip a section can jump in the van and catch up with the rest of the group at the next morning tea or lunch stop. The other guide supports the group while they ride the cycle trails. Where the trail is close to the road, the guide may drive a van at the back of the group, stopping to take photos and check on the group from time to time. On more remote sections of trail where there is no vehicle access (and limited phone coverage), the guide rides a bike at the back of the group, carrying tools, first aid and emergency equipment. They deal with any punctures, bike problems or accidents. They also provide support and encouragement to any nervous or less experienced riders. This allows us to cater to a wide range of skill levels.
Before each section of riding, we ensure you are comfortable on your bike, have everything you need and provide clear instructions where to go. We check battery levels and can swap out batteries if necessary. We like to let you ride the trail at your own pace. You do not need to ride together as a group. You generally only need to carry your phone, a water bottle and maybe a rain jacket or an extra layer of clothing on your bike. We have 2-3 breaks each day – morning tea, picnic lunch and sometimes an afternoon tea. We set these up with picnic blankets and camp chairs and a pagoda/gazebo if it’s raining, to allow everyone to catch up, rest and and make sure everyone is having fun!
Our cycle tours take you into areas of outstanding natural beauty around the South Island. There are no 5 star hotels or Michelin starred restaurants in these places. We generally stay in rural villages and choose top quality boutique accommodations, with lots of local character and charm. They are typically bed and breakfasts, country cottages, or lodge-style accommodations. We choose places based on their unique location, amazing food and excellent standards of hospitality. They are always exceptionally clean and comfortable and usually exceed people’s expectations. Please check out some of our reviews on Google for our guests’ perspective.
Almost all guest rooms come with their own private en-suite bathroom. But there are 2 exceptions. On the first night of the Alps 2 Ocean and the 3rd night of the Around the Mountains we stay at remote high country stations in incredible places. On these occasions there may be some sharing of bathrooms – no more than 2 rooms per bathroom. We know this is not ideal, but we stay at these places because they are unique experiences staying in amazing locations and often people consider them a highlight of the trip.
Food is one of the most important parts of our tours! All meals are excellent quality, made from fresh local produce, with lots of variety. Meals may be provided at the accommodation or at local restaurants, where you may be offered a set menu or a la carte (usually 2 courses). Breakfasts are usually cooked but may be continental, depending on the location.
For lunch we often have a picnic at a beautiful spot along the trail. We are famous for our make-your-own picnics with a selection of fresh bread, wraps, cold cuts, cheeses and salads. We often include humus, sauces and dips. We vary the ingredients to provide plenty of variety. At other times we visit top local cafés and restaurants. We also provide unlimited snacks – mixed nuts, fresh fruit, muesli/granola bars, biscuits, sweets and candy to keep you going!
We cater to most dietary requirements, including vegetarians and vegans. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies we need to know about, please let us know in our tour questionnaire which each person must complete when you book.
About You:
If you are riding an e-bike, only a very moderate level of fitness is required. Our customers tend to be more mature (50s-70s), well-travelled people with active lifestyles. We’ve had some people in their 80s! You don’t need to be a regular cyclist, but it helps to have a reasonable base level of fitness. E-bikes make a massive difference. They take all the hard work out of cycling long distances and let you zip up hills with minimal effort. They reduce the cycling effort by around 50%, compared to a push bike.
If you want to ride a standard mountain bike (non-electric), you’ll need a much higher level of fitness. You must be a regular cyclist used to riding 50-70km per day on gravel trails with some big hills. We strongly encourage all our guests to choose an electric bike. Many people who choose to go non-electric find the tours are much harder than they expected and can’t keep up with the rest of the group on ebikes. This can spoil your enjoyment and disrupt the timings of the tour for everyone else. If you insist on a non-electric bike, please don’t be offended if we ask you about your level of fitness and experience. You’ll be doing very well to keep up with the ebikes!
A typical day on our Cycle Trail Tours might involve 35-70km (roughly 3-5 hours) of riding, with breaks for morning tea, lunch, and sometimes additional breaks, depending on the day. You can ride each section at your own pace (within reason). You always have the option to ride in the van if you want to take a break or skip a section.
If you have any doubts, please call us to discuss.
A lot of people have doubts about this. If you’re on an ebike you’ll be able to keep up with everyone easily. In fact, they might struggle to keep up with you! Ebikes add a significant boost to your cycling speed and compensate greatly for a moderate fitness level. If you have any doubts about your fitness, you must choose an e-bike.
Make sure you talk to your tour guide! If you’re finding it tough at any point, there are a number of things we can do to help. We can sometimes slow down the pace of the tour, give you a little extra resting time and may even adapt the itinerary for you. You can always jump in the van and take a break. Our guides know all the best places to access the trails so you can ride the best parts and skip any challenging sections, if need be.
We design our trips so that everyone has a reasonable time to ride each section and have regular breaks to allow the slower riders time to catch up and have a rest. We encourage you to take it easy and enjoy the scenery.
Plenty of our guests have never ridden an ebike before. And many are a bit apprehensive about it! Ebike technology has come a long way in recent years. Newer models are lighter, handle better and have batteries that last much longer. You can choose between a more sporty ebike with a traditional frame, or a “step-thru” ebike with no top tube and a more upright riding position.
Before we start riding on the first day, we adjust your bike to fit you, explain how to use them clearly and give you the opportunity to practice before we start riding on the trails. Anyone who can ride a bicycle can ride an ebike. They are smooth, very easy to handle and lots of fun to ride. Most people love them within the first few seconds! Others might take a minute or 2 to get used to them. They make cycling much easier overall. At the end of the tour, you will be sad to say goodbye to your bike!
We are very confident that you will love riding our bikes. But we do strongly recommend that you get out and do a few practice rides before your tour. Particularly if you haven’t ridden a bike for a while, or if you are not used to riding on gravel mountain bike trails. It’s very different from riding on a road! You must be comfortable riding on gravel trails for up to 2 hours at about 15-20km/hr. There are some sharp corners, steep hills and creek crossings involved. You must be comfortable getting on and off the bike, using brakes and changing gears. A few big training rides will make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the tour!
WHAT TO PACK:
Recommended Gear List
- A high quality breathable, waterproof jacket suitable for cycling is essential, preferably one with an adjustable hood which can fit over your helmet. A pair of breathable waterproof trousers (or shorts) is recommended but not essential.
- One set of robust comfortable shoes suitable for cycling on flat pedals. They may get wet or muddy but can be dried out overnight. Open-toed sandals, jandals or flip-flips are not suitable!
- Padded cycling shorts (2 pairs for longer tours), used together with “Vaseline” or similar lubricating product to minimize chafing and discomfort. Please note – cycle shorts are designed to be worn without underwear!
- Layers: 2-3 next-to-skin/underlayers, a mid weight insulating layer (eg windproof vest) and an outer shell (waterproof jacket). We recommend quality outdoor fabrics/materials.
- A pair of long cycle leggings/trousers – jeans/cotton not suitable.
- At least one pair of cycling gloves with padding is essential. A second pair of full fingered warmer gloves is recommended, particularly in spring or autumn.
- A hat, neck scarf and/or face covering. A thin wool or polypropelene beanie to wear under your helmet can be great if it’s cold or windy.
- Sunglasses, sun cream, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, moisturizer and chapstick.
- You are encouraged to bring your own drink bottle (to reduce plastic waste). If you don’t, we will provide you with one.
- Toiletries, medication and PJs – most rooms have private en suite bathrooms, but some have shared bathrooms.
- Phone/camera, chargers etc – WIFI is provided in most but not all accommodation.
- Swimming costume for the hot pools! Towels are provided.
- A set of warm casual clothes – It gets cold at night. We will be going out to restaurants. But please don’t bring a whole wardrobe!
- There will be opportunities to do laundry in some locations, but please do not expect to wash your clothes every day.
We have limited space in our vans, especially if a tour is full. Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase per person (<18kg) or one large suitcase between 2 (<25kg). Please leave any excess luggage with your accommodation in Queenstown. We do not have room for bike transport bags or boxes.
We recommend you bring a small day pack (<20L) each which you can use to carry spare clothing while riding, or leave it in the van. You will not be able to access to your suitcases easily during the day.
ABOUT THE BIKES & EQUIPMENT:
We stock top quality front-suspension mountain bikes, in a full range of sizes, well maintained and in excellent working condition. Our bikes are serviced after every tour by bike mechanics replacing parts before they are worn out.
We have 2 types of electric mountain bikes in our fleet:
- Merida eBIG TOUR 400 EQ – a more sporty/performance position, with a “low-step” mountain bike frame, 29″ wheels (S-XL)
- Merida eSPRESSO 500 EQ – a more upright riding position, “step-thru” frame (no top tube), 27.5″ wheels (XS-M/L)
All ebike have the latest Gen 2 Shimano Steps technology with a powerful EP6 (85Nm) motor, large capacity 630 Wh battery and 10-speed Linkglide drivetrain. The batteries have sufficient range to make it through each day, but we always carry 2 spare ebikes and a couple of spare batteries in the trailer just in case. We fit adjustable stems and comfort grips for more adjustability and suspension posts for a more comfortable ride on bumpy sections.
Ebikes cut the effort required by around half. They let you you zip up the hills and glide through the terrain with ease, turning the trip into a pleasurable ride even for those with less fitness or riding experience. Alternatively if you want more of a workout, you can dial back the level of pedal assistance and work just as hard as if you were riding a non-electric bike (and more!).
If you are an experienced mountain biker with a VERY high level of fitness (this is essential) you may like to ride one of our non-electric mountain bikes. We stock Merida BIG NINE 200s in a full size range. With a Shimano 10-speed drivetrain, 100mm air-fork, 2.2″ fast rolling tyres. These excellent bikes are light, quick and amazing fun to ride. Please note, we do not recommend you choose a non-electric bike unless you are extremely fit!
Over the years we have experimented with many different styles and chosen the most comfortable gel seats available. 95% of our guests find them very comfortable by themselves and we rarely have any problems. We carry extra gel seat covers just in case anyone wants double up on the gel! We also carry a couple of alternative styles in the trailer (a hard plank and a cushy sofa) just in case anyone wants an alternative.
Our bikes have flat alloy pedals with small spikes for grip. We recommend robust, comfortable flat-soled shoes that give your feet good protection. Soft or open-toed sandals/jandals/thongs/flipflops will not protect your feet and are NOT suitable for riding
We do not have SPD-style clip-in pedals on your bikes. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals (and shoes) and we will help you fit these to your bike. But they are not necessary and we do not recommend them if you are not experienced using them as they often cause accidents.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own bike, provided it doesn’t have more than 2.5” wide tyres – otherwise it may not fit on our bike trailer. We will transport your bike along with ours on our custom made bike trailers. It will be racked and tied down with straps and bungies in the same way we treat our own bikes. However please note, your bikes (and your luggage and possessions) are not covered by our insurance policy and we do not accept liability for any scratches, damage, loss or theft. Please make sure all your possessions are covered by your own insurance before you bring them on tour. Also note – airlines do not let you fly with ebike batteries!
If you are bringing your own bike, please make sure it is a high quality electric mountain bike with quality front or dual suspension, a full range gears and off-road knobbly tyres. If you’re bringing an ebike, don’t forget your charger and any special tools! If you are extremely fit, gravel bikes are welcome but you may find a few sections very rugged – particularly days 1 and 3 of the Alps 2 Ocean.
You are welcome to bring your own helmet, pedals or seat (not your seat post) and we will fit these to our bikes. But please let us know in advance on your questionnaire.
Each bike comes with a bottle cage, flat grippy pedals (not clip-ins), tyre levers and a spare tube (don’t worry, we will fix any punctures). We provide you with a helmet and drink bottle. You are welcome to bring your own drink bottle, but it may not fit our mountain bike frames.
Usually the van is not far away so you do not need to carry a lot of gear while riding. Each bike has a rear rack with a small bag to carry your rain jacket, a few small items and a spare layer of clothing. You are welcome to bring a small day pack (<15L) to ride with if you want to, but this is not usually necessary.
We supply you with a helmet – in a range of sizes. It is a legal requirement to wear a cycle helmet in NZ. We also carry tools, spare parts, spare seats and gel seat covers in the van. And we carry 2 spare ebikes on the trailer, in case of more serious bike problems.
ABOUT THE TRAILS
The trails we ride are generally very good quality, well maintained and easy riding. They are a combination of purpose-built cycle trails linked up with unsealed gravel roads and occasionally small sections of sealed road. You will encounter a range of different surfaces – predominantly unsealed gravel roads and trails. They are easy to moderate (mostly grade 1-2) but there are a few sections of grade 3, which is intermediate.
The trails occasionally cross small streams and can be damaged by weather and erosion. You may also encounter deep loose metal, potholes, sharp corners, downhill sections, exposed rocks and boulders, tree branches, slips, mud, pools and flooding (among other things). These hazards are infrequent- but they do occur. Where you come across these hazards or if you’re ever unsure about anything, we strongly encourage you to stop, get off your bike and walk your bike around the hazard. You must take care, ride within your limits and use common sense.
You must be confident riding a bicycle and know your limits. We encourage going for a few training rides of 1-2 hours before your tour. This will improve your skills and fitness, helping make your tour more fun and enjoyable. If you are not confident riding on gravel, you might like to practice on an unsealed gravel road or trail.
There are some hills, we will brief you of these before each section. If you’re riding an electric bike, you will hardly notice them. You’ll zip up them with ease and wonder why the non-ebikers have slowed down. If you are riding a conventional bike, you will be working harder. But there are no serious inclines which a moderate level of fitness can’t handle. In a worst case scenario – you can always get off and walk. For the most part, there are not many long climbs or descents, but you will get used to us talking about “undulations” as you pass through the amazing landscapes!
New Zealand’s weather is very changeable. Spring (Nov-Dec) is beautiful as the snow is still melting on the mountains, trees are out in blossom and the fields are filled with lambs. The spring temperature is usually cool-mild (maybe 14-20C). Summers are usually warm and dry (around 17-25C) but it can get both very hot or very cold. The autumn colours come out early-mid April and temperatures cool down again.
The trails pass through some remote areas, close to the mountains. It is often windy, can rain a lot and is always cold at night. This means you will need clothing suitable for every condition – cold, wet, windy and occasionally very hot! Please see our recommended gear list for more info.
Having vehicle support helps a lot with the weather. We monitor the weather during your cycle tour and can adapt the itinerary to suit the conditions. If there is a strong headwind, we can sometimes switch the direction of travel (reverse ride a section). If bad weather is forecast, we can alter the timings or move things around to avoid the worst of it. Or If things get really unpleasant we can always jump in the van and head to a nice café instead. We like to be flexible and tailor the tour to the needs of the group. Having a good tour guide and vehicle support can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of your holiday!
Our tours take you into remote, unspoilt parts of New Zealand, away from the crowds and civilisation. We tend to stay in small villages which usually have a small supermarket or convenience store. However some places we stay have no shops nearby at all (particularly the first night of the A2O). We will let you know in advance of these and try to give you the opportunity to buy any essentials you’ve forgotten. But there’s no guarantee the shops will be open. We strongly advise you to come prepared with all essential toiletries and medicines you’ll need for the duration of your tour. Most places we stay either sell alcohol or you will have the opportunity to purchase it beforehand.
All the cycle trails we operate on are `Great Rides” of New Zealand – they generally have good signage, and fairly regular toilet stops – although they can be quite “basic”. We always give you plenty of opportunities to use bathrooms before and after your rides and brief you on the location of toilets before each section of trail.
TRANSPORT
Our tours usually start and finish in Queenstown, except for the WCW and GSC which start in Christchurch. It is possible to start and finish the A2O from Christchurch using Intercity buses which we can arrange. We can usually arrange pick-ups and drop-offs within the Queenstown/Frankton area, including Queenstown Airport. Other locations will depend on the tour, number of people, how far out of the way you are and timing of other activities eg boats and helicopters. Please let us know if you have any questions. In particular, please ask before booking flights if you are in any doubt what time to arrive or depart.
No, we do not have any parking facilities for your car while you are on tour. However feel free to give us a call and we can discuss options where to leave your car.
Yes, absolutely! If you would like:
- To ride some of New Zealand’s most beautiful cycle trails.
- To share an amazing outdoor experience with friends, family and other like-minded people.
- To enjoy an active healthy holiday with good food and plenty of exercise.
- To see the “real” New Zealand, meet some locals and gain a better understanding of the country.
We are committed to helping you have a great holiday and will go to great lengths to exceed your expectations!
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
We take your safety very seriously throughout the tour and have strict safety procedures in place. We provide you with a full safety briefing before you start riding on the first day. Our guides all have current first-aid training and we carry first aid kits and emergency locator beacons on every tour. Our team is trained to deal with emergency situations and can organise help or rescue quickly and efficiently.
For minor injuries, we are usually close at hand to assist, get you to the nearest van and take you to the nearest medical centre. In a more serious situation, we can coordinate with emergency services and arrange evacuation if need be. We have an excellent public health care system in New Zealand, including cover for accidents under the Accident Compensation Corporation or “ACC” scheme. If any person (including a tourist) has an accident in New Zealand, they usually have access to (almost) free medical treatment. However this does not substitute for appropriate travel insurance. We strongly recommend everyone has full coverage travel insurance to cover you against unexpected events.
If a minor injury prevents you from riding, you are still welcome to attend the tour as a non-rider, or participate in some occasional cycling. You can travel in the van with the tour guide who will keep you entertained. We will keep you involved in all non-cycling activities and you will get to spend plenty of time socialising with the group.
However if you have an injury or illness which prevents you from coming on the tour, please advise us as soon as possible. Cancellation fees are set out in our Booking Terms and Conditions. We strongly recommend you consider travel insurance to protect yourself against these situations.
Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions. These set out your options including substitution, transfer and cancellation. We recommend you consider travel insurance (including cancellation cover) to protect against unforeseen circumstances.