Wrapping Up our Tour Aotearoa Bike Ride

This one was a tough ride to wrap up. Not because we didn’t have anything to say about it, but because we had so much to say. New Zealand stole our hearts and we weren’t quite ready to “wrap it up” or let it go.

We chose this ride in August 2024 on a whim, so to speak, knowing little about it and being undertrained due to the time of year in Indiana we would start (winter for us, summer for NZ). However, we rolled right onto the route with joy, vigor, confidence and curiosity. And she didn’t disappoint.

As always, we maintain a data sheet that includes daily mileage and elevation, where we stopped for the night and links to our daily posts that include a video. However, a snapshot of the ride can be seen below. The aforementioned spreadsheet may be helpful to future TA riders, but just remember, we ride, not race and we are both 65+ years old.🤣

What will we miss most about our ride and New Zealand? As with any other extended bike tour we’ve finished, we’ll miss that feeling of accomplishment at the end of a solid day of riding. We will miss the spectacular views in New Zealand and the changing landscapes and seasons as we rode from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island.

The simplicity of living on a bicycle suits both of us well and, of course we’re not going to complain about the cost of living in New Zealand and the strength of the American Dollar. The well equipped Holiday Parks (campgrounds) and the remarkable cleanliness of the country, whether we visited a superette, a petro station, a restaurant, Air B &B or a long dropper – it’s 99% clean. Kiwis take care of their property and their environment.💚

Most of all, however, as always, it’s the people, both the locals and the riders we met along the way , that were the highlight of our ride. The TA was unique from other extended tours in that, from the first couple days and throughout the ride we leapfrogged with our “tramily” or our trail family. Sharing the experience with others, looking out for one another and learning more about their life stories (as well as getting reccs for future cycling) is at the top of both our lists of what we will miss most.

What are we eager to leave behind? Tom says packing up and carrying a wet tent (due to atmospheric condensation) most everyday. I say the narrow roads with no shoulders. We both emphatically agree we will NOT miss the sandflies.

For cyclists considering the TA , there’s a bit of logistics to plan since it’s a linear trail and for many, at the opposite end of the world, literally. There are also at least three, and as many as five water transports for which to plan.

I’m grateful for Tom for both his tour planning AND his approach to bike maintenance. Whereas I’m a “if it’s not broken, don’t fix or replace it”, he’s proactive with preventative maintenance and that’s the main reason we had zero mechanical issues with our Salsa Cutthroats. Trust me, his approach is the one to take.

Click on the image below to view a ride recap video.

And oh by the way, if you ever get the chance to visit New Zealand, her neighbor, Australia is worth a look. We flew to Sydney after our ride and spent six days exploring. Sydney is easy to get around using their public transportation system of ferries, train, light rail and bus. She’s friendly, historic and absolutely stunning. And they have bike rentals, a cool bridge climb and I’m sure you’ve heard of the Sydney Opera House. All are worth a look!