January 15, 2025
The Route
The idea to ride in New Zealand was conceived in Colorado while riding the Great Divide Trail. We were stopped at small lodge/campground to grab a snack where we met Grum and Juliet, a riding couple from New Zealand.
We started talking and I expressed how much I want to travel to New Zealand. Grum said the riding is amazing and we exchanged contact information. We ended up connecting several times after that and he gave me some routes to explore once I returned from the trip.
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I was interested in doing something similar to the Great Divide Trail and the tour I've put together should come close. I'm expecting that the scenery will undoubtedly be mind blowing!
I'll fly into Auckland and join the Tour Aotearoa (Tour New Zealand in Māori). The TA travels the entire length of both Islands and it's connected by a ferry from the North to South Island.
This route is the vision of a rider named Jonathan Kennett who designed and launched the route in 2016 and it's gaining popularity. "It follows a combination of cycle trails, tracks, paths and lanes connected by the most enjoyable country roads available." (TA Official Guide)
The TA route itself is 3000 km if you head up to the tip of the North Island and finish at the south end of the South Island. I considered doing this but the hassle of getting a shuttle up north solo dissuaded me. Instead, I'll cut that 400 km off of the trip and add the Sounds to Sounds Route on the South Island.
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On the South Island I'll get to see parts of both sides of the Island. I plan to first ride the TA route to Wellington and then take the ferry to Picton. I'll then likely cut off the small top section of the Sounds to Sounds and start riding it from Picton; this is a on route decision as I might take another ferry up and start the S2S at its start.
I plan to ride the S2S it to its completion in Milford Sound, and then double back and pick up the point where the two routes intersect. I'll then ride the TA route northbound returning to Picton.
When we rode the Tour Divide in August 2024 we averaged 112 km and 1300 m of elevation gain each day. This planned route is roughly 4000 km. If I travel at the same speed it should take 36 days of riding where the Great Divide took us 40 days of riding. I have roughly 44 days of riding available so my goal this time is to create more space to see some sights. I actually want to ride a bit further each day if possible, creating even more rest days. I'll take my rest days in the towns along the way and hopefully do a whirlwind 1 day tour on foot and by transit.
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Of course, I bolded the word should because if I've learned one thing riding bikes up big hills and variable terrain. You aren't in control. The terrain, wind, rain, and sleet will determine how far you travel. I'm hoping though that I've given myself a bit of an advantage for this trip. I am riding a gravel bike instead of a mountain bike with 2.8" tires. With the reduced rolling resistance and a higher % of pavement I should make good time in many sections.
If you want to take a deep dive into the route you can find all the information here:
http://www.touraotearoa.nz/p/home.html
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