We rise early for a 1 hour vehicle transfer to Cape Reinga to begin our cycle tour. 90 Mile Beach leaves strong memories in the minds of all Tour Aotearoa riders – a crazy way to start… but there you have it. I hope we get a north-easterly!

Cycling Distance: 85km.

Its time to start preparing our hill legs for the journey ahead… The day promises stunning NZ bush and views of the Hokianga Harbour on a 10 min ferry to Rawene. 

Cycling Distance: 111km

The Kauri Coast cycle way fully immerses us into the far north – riding through the Waipoua sub tropical forest dominated by giant kauri. This is the epitome of the far north with quiet roads, quiet towns, wild beaches and some great swimming opportunities.

Cycling Distance: 110km

What a clever way to get to the centre of Auckland while avoiding the traffic! We head south down the remote and quiet Pouto Peninsula through farmland and the mouth of the Kaipara inland harbour. We cross the harbour by boat (3 hrs tide dependent) and pedal into Parakai.

Cycling Distance: 69km

We’re not in the far north any more! But suddenly in the centre of NZ’s largest, busiest and traffic craziest city. Thanks to Auckland Transport for the convenient cycle routes for getting us there alive!

Cycling Distance: 84km

Negotiating the city traffic + tricky navigation out of Auckland city is not everyone’s cup of tea… and the support vehicle is available for those who opt out. Once clear of the city we ride around the firth of Thames finishing on a short stretch of the Hauraki Rail Trail.

Cycling Distance: 117km 

We get our “groove on” riding the smooth surface and gentle gradient of the Hauraki Rail Trail. We ride the historic railway across the Hauraki Plains then divert west all the way to Cambridge.

Cycling Distance: 126km 

Rest day. It’s your choice… visit the Hobbiton movie set that’s close by or take a walk and explore Cambridge.

We make a B-Line for the lovely Pureora Forest Park and the topographical centre of the North Island. And then the fun begins! The Timber Trail is famous for stunning stands of virgin forest bush saved from logging in the 1970s. Remote cycle trail and cool bridges bring us to the Timber Trail Lodge. 

Cycling Distance: 85km

We ride the the second half of the Timber Trail on cycle trail and historical milling tracks down to Ongarue and then onto Taumaranui for the night.

Cycling Distance: 69km

We ride the lesser-travelled farming roads linking the Timber Trail to the Mountains to Sea Route, sharing the roads with the local farmers and their sheep.

Cycling Distance: 82km

Option: Ride the Bridge to Nowhere trail +jet boat. Ride to the Bridge to Nowhere then hop on a 1hr jet boat ride which brings us down the stunning Whanganui River Valley, then ride back to the accommodation. 

Cycling Distance: 69km.

The Whanganui River Valley has a climate of its own. Take your time rolling up and down (it’s got to be more down than up right?) through this lush river valley down to Whanganui. 

Cycling Distance: 98km

Whanganui Rest Day, Local Sightseeing. Explore the galleries and art walks around Whanganui, or maybe it’s time to give your bike a bit of love?

With a bit of a quirky start to the day we warm up heading east out of town on nice flat quiet farming road. It wouldn’t be NZ without a couple of hearty hills to get your heart happy before hunkering down at the Hunterville Hotel.

Cycling Distance: 67km

Some smooth seal starts the day, but soon we’re back onto a mix of gravel and farm roads. Taking us from Hunterville to Fielding

Cycling Distance: 93km

Leaving Fielding our legs spin like windmills as we crank over Paihitua track. What a wonderful thing a wind-powered bike would be! 

Cycling Distance: 60km

If we get a northerly you’ll have a Porters Pinot in your hand soon after lunch. If we ride into a southerly breeze you’ll just have to wait until dinner time! 

Cycling Distance: 114km

After a warm-up on flat farm roads we meander up the Remutaka Cycle Trail through disused rail tunnels and take in other cool history. Then its down, down, down into the Hutt and cycle trail it all the way into the big smoke.

Our final breakfast together in the North Island before bidding farewell.  For those continuing on we will take the ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton.

YOU – RIDE . NAVIGATE . ENJOY . EAT . SLEEP .

WE PROVIDE:

• Daily ride information.
• Digital navigation and cue notes.
• Mechanical and first aid support.
• Carry your luggage.
• Ride sweep.
• Sag Wagon.
• Breakfasts, lunches, water and riding snacks (and some dinners).
• All the logistics.
• And all Accommodation

Whether you choose to ride the full length of New Zealand or just one Island at a time – we’ll sort the nitty gritty. Before your tour begins, we will organise all the logistics and book all accommodation.   

We will give you daily digital route maps, that you can follow on your phone or GPS, and route cue notes so that you can ride at your own pace, stop when you like to smell the roses and grab a coffee when the opportunity presents, while always knowing that we are there if you need us.

On tour, your awesome Escape Adventures support crew will have your breakfast ready for an early start and provide snacks for you to carry with you.  They will provide daily ride information and ride sweep with first aid and mechanical support.  Our support vehicle will carry your luggage, and on most days set up a ‘floating picnic lunch’ on route so that you can dine’n’dash and top up on water and snacks.  The support vehicle is also there if you need first aid or mechanical support, or if you need a break from the saddle.

This cycle tour includes rides of 60-126km per day.  Please do read about the daily riding distances taking note of the riding terrain in the itinerary below and prepare accordingly. 

The more prepared you are the more you will enjoy your adventure!  Preparing for your cycle tour should involve:

– riding on gravel, unpaved terrain and hills. 
– riding 3-4 times a week with rides of 40-80km in length.

Support: Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, has lunch, snacks and water at hand, and is there if you need a break from the saddle.

The ideal bike for the tour is a hardtail mountain bike or a touring bike with off road tyres. A gravel bike is also an option – but only if you are familiar with riding one on unpaved surfaces! You will need to be able to carry up to 1.5-2L water, a jacket and snacks in a backpack, front roll or frame bag.

Escape Adventures have a small fleet of bikes and E-bikes available for hire available for hire in S M L & XL. (Bookings Essential).

Trek X-Caliber mountain bikes $950
E-Bikes  (Brand and model tbc) – $1600

When you hire one of our bikes – they are maintained by us and kept in excellent running condition.  Contact us if you plan on hiring a bike.

Included in your tour: All breakfasts and riding snacks, most lunches and two evening meals. (3 lunches are not included).
Three lunches and most of the evening meals (as per the tour itinerary) are in places where there are dining and wining options available – therefore at your own cost and choosing. (This gives you more control over the cost of your tour AND spreads the love supporting local businesses!).  We are most definitely able to cater for vegetarians and special diets. If this includes you, it is essential to advise us of this before your tour begins, so that the support vehicle can be stocked with the necessary supplies.

Typical Included Meals:

•  Breakfasts – Fresh fruit, muesli, toast and spreads, hot drinks.
•  Lunches – Picnic style lunches, fresh salads, cold meats, cheese & bread.
•  Snacks – Fresh fruit, salty snacks, home baking.
•  Evening Meal – Prepared by your tour leaders or local accommodation.

All accommodation for the duration of your tour is included. Accommodation is included for all 21 nights of the cycle tour. Our job is to explore and find the most fitting accommodation to work in with the riding route. Sometimes there is lots of choice, sometimes very little. We will be staying in a combination of motels, hotels, lodges, holiday houses and holiday park cabins. When possible these will have ensuite bathrooms, however in some cases – in holiday houses and holiday park cabins it will be necessary to share bathrooms.

Travelling Solo? We do not charge a single supplement! 
Accommodation is on a share twin basis. If you’re traveling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another biker. If you do not wish to share a single supplement is available. *Single room options may be limited in some locations.

This trip has 6-12 bikers, plus two experienced Escape Adventures tour leaders.