New Zealand vs UK

Steve_F

Anyone done any biking in NZ? Thinking about a trip over there and heard it is good, and it looked it on Drop In but I was wondering if this was as good and as easily accessible as it is here (especially in Scotland)

z1ppy

Not cycled over there (visited twice and love the place though), access is definitly not on par with scotland - where as the UK has had centuries of drover paths & such like, that have been used to create footpath/bridal ways/etc - this has not happened in NZ.
There are lots of hugh national parks but MTB'ing is not allowed in them - no idea how they react to 'cheekiness' though. Definitly don't try any cheekiness on privately owned land, as gun ownership is prevelent & tests to get a gun license not that hard (according to a m8 who migrated)
I know there is good riding to be had, but just don't expect the almost open access (if you ignore the red socks) we enjoy here.

Lovely country though.

A NZ local should appear soon and let you know some good NZ-mtb forum to visit and ask for more info - and maybe expand on my comments (or strick them down as rubbish...)

Surf-Matt

Spent a few months there - no cycling but loads of surfing and hiking.
Both islands look amazing for cycling - and you HAVE to go there even if you don't ride - stunning place, great people, cheap, uncrowded, etc, etc.

Kiwi Kranker

Local here though living in the UK

Just a very quick link for you but ride here

http://www.riderotorua.com/index.php

Gun comment above more than a little exaggerated to say the least, the key thing is to always ask. Being polite will get you a long way. Cheekiness wont get you far as some of the farms and land is very isolated and in recent years thefts of farm equipment has been going up so farmers will likely be very angry if you just ride and go and dont ask.

Ill try and dig up a few more links for you. The thing to keep in mind is mtbing in NZ is still in its infancy compared to here (If you are talking trail centres) but if you scout around there are some epic rides unmarked rides. Local bike shops especially in Queenstown and Wanaka will sort you out with where to go or guides if you after one.

Oh and an apology from all us Kiwis if you come across horrific muppets. Just like in any other country but just spread out a whole lot more.

Kiwi Kranker

A book you may find very handy.


http://www.kennett.co.nz/index.php/Books/ClassicNewZealandMountainBikeRides

Kiwi Kranker

This pic might be a bit hard to see (the rider is top right) I have ridden here and its stunning. Also managed to take a 63 beige VW Beetle with a 1.3 no performance engine along the 4WD only route that runs through there too....but thats another story.

nicklouse

pop onto http://www.vorb.org.nz/forums.html

Kiwi Kranker

http://www.bikepark.co.nz/home.html



http://www.vorb.org.nz/

Good luck, this is making me home sick

RobDickinson

Theres some biking for sure, parks & trails, but DOC keep the MTB's out of most of the main reserves, though some are opening up a bit now, it';ll be a long and slow process.

Plenty of places to rent bikes over here.

I've only just started but ariound Christchuch theres a lot of flatish tracks (mcleans/bottlelake etc) and a ton of rocky single track on the port hills and some good flowy DH stuff at vic park(aparently) and some crazy mad stuff.

Also plenty at Hamner, Queenstown etc.