Maps and Information: Hmmm - apart from the flat bits, there are a lot of hills...
Useful Links
New Zealand has become adept at marketing itself as a tourism destination, and a quick search of the internet will reveal a plethora of information for intending visitors.
A great place to start looking is the Tourism New Zealand web site, while the cycle tourist will find much useful information on the CycleTour New Zealand website.
An excellent guide book is Nigel Rushton's "Pedallers' Paradise", and the NZ Camping guide has a comprehensive listing of camp grounds and accommodation. I ordered the electronic version by email and installed it on my netbook.
Tourists arriving at Christchurch Airport will find very good bicycle facilities await them. Mobile phones and SIMM cards can be rented at the Vodafone Rentals Kiosk. Luggage Solutions offers services such as luggage storage, excess baggage shipping, and bike boxes. A handy Christchurch Cycling map is available from the airport.
If you prefer a transfer from the airport to your accommodation the Super Shuttle service uses mini-buses with baggage trailers and is very economical.
Bookings for the TransAlpine and other train services can be made on the Transcenic web site.
The Route
Starting from Christchurch my route will cross the Canterbury Plains before heading over Burke's Pass for the highlands and lakes of MacKenzie Country, then over Lindis Pass to Wanaka in the the heart New Zealand's ski fields.
From Wanaka I'll ride down the Haast Pass to the wild west coast, and follow the coast north past the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers to Greymouth.
Leaving Greymouth I'll go a little inland to Reefton, then back east over the Rahu Saddle and Lewis Pass to the hot springs at Hanmer.
After Hanmer Springs I'll turn south back toward Christchurch, but then abruptly west again and tackle Arthur's Pass and the Otira Gorge returning to Greymouth, where I'll celebrate the finish of the tour by taking the Trans-Alpine train back to Christchurch.
Itinerary
This is the plan, but I'm prepared to be flexible if necessary. There are a couple of days buffer at the end in case of any delays -if they are not used I'll spend them sightseeing around the Christchurch area, and perhaps take a trip to Akaroa.
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