2: Tour of New Zealand - April 2012 (South Island Itinerary)
Entries are now open for the most dramatic, accessible multi-day cycling stage race ever to hit New Zealand. It's an 8-day amateur event designed to celebrate everything good about cycling, scenery, competition and community, played out on some of the best roads the country has to offer.
This Tour has truly got something for everyone, from occasional riders looking for a motivating, achievable goal, through to hard-core racers aiming for a week of perfect suffering. And it's supported by some of New Zealand's cycling celebrities, including pro road racer Hayden Roulston and international track heroine Ali Shanks. They all want to see you get on your bike...
And when you do get on your bike we've got a real adventure lined up for you.
You'll ride the length of one of New Zealand's magnificent islands...you choose which one... over 7 days of stage rides, and meet for a head-to-head criterium in the grounds of the Beehive to decide the winners in each category.
This final blast around the 1.5km criterium course will start and finish on the steps of Parliament, under the watchful bronze eyes of past Prime Ministers.
You can enter individually to compete on every stage, or choose your team and enter 3 or 4 or 5 bikes on each daily stage. The team structure is completely flexible, so if someone gets tired or can't make the schedule you can bring in substitute riders any day you want. The goal is simply to get your team colours to Wellington and have brilliant fun along the way.
Each day you will be road riding for between 4 and 6 hours.
In the South Island you will pedal past mountains, conquer high country passes, and glimpse the iridescent blues of the Southern Lakes. The thousands of dairy cows and high country sheep will probably ignore you as you pass by, but the townsfolk will be out in force to cheer you on.
In the North Island you will swoop through ancient Kauri forests, admire the fabulous beaches of Northland, and catch a whiff of the sulphur that bubbles around the Central Plateau as you head towards the magic of the Whanganui River and its kilometres of bush-lined, birdsong-bathed roads.
You will have an opportunity to raise money for charity along the way.
Are you up for the challenge? You might see it as a self-propelled holiday with a bunch of like-minded people...or you might have felt a shot of adrenaline as soon as you realised that this is a stage race, a real stage race that you can take on and win.
Enter now your 3, 4 or 5 bike team and choose your category. If you haven't got a team, enter as an individual looking for a team and we will do our best to team you up. Or go hard and ride the entire race as an individual. It's up to you, but first you need to, become a site member then fill in the online entry form or individual's entry form.
Thursday 12 April 2012 - Arrive Queenstown
Upon arrival at Queenstown Airport you will receive a shuttle transfer to your accommodation.
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, Queenstown's reputation as the adventure capital of the world is well earned. Here you can bungy jump, whitewater raft or surf, jet boat down canyons, tandem hanglide or parapente...! More sedately enjoy long walks, a four wheel drive trek, or cruise on a majestic steamboat; try your hand with a gold pan or a fishing rod, visit the Arrowtown Museum, and explore the Wakatipu Art Trail.Overnight accommodation in a hotel
Friday 13 April 2012 - Queenstown to Invercargill.This morning collect your motorhome from the nearby motorhome depot. Then drive via Lake Wakatipu to Invercargill (2 hours 30 minutes drive) and prepare for the start of the Tour. Overnight accommodation in motorhome.
Invercargill is Southland's principal centre and the country's southern-most city. It is known for its elegant old department stores and wide, easy-to-navigate streets. Local food specialities include Bluff Oysters and blue cod. The museum has a Tuatara house and an excellent exhibition about New Zealand's subantarctic islands.
Saturday 14 April 2012 - Bluff to Queenstown.Make your way south to Bluff (20 minutes drive) for the start of the Tour of New Zealand.
Day 1 of Tour from Bluff to Mossburn (cycling distance 139 km). Upon arrival in Mossburn drive onto Queenstown (1 hour 20 minutes drive). Overnight accommodation in hotel
Sunday 15 April 2012 - Queenstown to Wanaka.The tour begins today in the magnificent surroundings of Queenstown.
Day 2 of Tour from Queenstown to Wanaka (cycling distance 82 km)
Lake Wanaka located right at the heart of the southern lakes, is the gateway to the Mt. Aspiring National Park, internationally renowned for its glaciers and magnificent tramping and climbing. The mountains surrounding the lake provide a winter snow-lovers paradise featuring top ski fields and heliski facilities and the town itself features a pretty shopping village with a wide variety of ambient areas to relax, eat and imbibe. Overnight accommodation in motorhome
Monday 16 April 2012 - Wanaka to Twizel -This morning drive the short distance to Tarras (20 minutes drive).
Day 3 of Tour from Tarras to Twizel (cycling distance 109 km)
The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park covers approximately 70,011 hectares (over 270 square miles) within New Zealand's Southern Alps, boasting more than 140 peaks over 2000m (6500ft), the highest of these being Mount Cook, 3754 metres, the highest peak in Australasia. Of 72 named glaciers, the Tasman Glacier is the biggest at 27 km (17 miles) long and at places is 3km (2 miles) wide. The ice in this glacier is in places over 600 metres deep. The first ascent was made of Mount Cook by three New Zealanders in 1894. The park is a popular place to engage in a number of outdoor activities: walking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing and hunting. Overnight accommodation in a hotel.
Tuesday 17 April 2012 - Twizel to Geraldine -Today drive the short distance up the road to Pukaki (10 minutes drive)
Day 4 of the Tour Pukaki to Geraldine (cycling distance 128km). Overnight accommodation in motorhome
Wednesday 18 April 2012 - Geraldine to Hanmer Springs. This morning drive across the Canterbury Plains to Methven (1 hours drive).
Day 5 of the Tour Methven to Rangiora (cycling distance 124 km). Upon arrival in Rangiora drive to Hanmer Springs (1 hours 30 minutes drive)
The alpine village of Hanmer Springs is famous for its hot thermal waters, scenic forest walks and adventure activities. First settled in 1858, Hanmer Springs has charmed a steady stream of visitors drawn by the therapeutic qualities of the thermal waters. The springs themselves are the largest thermal water source in the South Island and have been used for therapeutic bathing since the early 1860s. Overnight accommodation in motorhome
Thursday 19 April 2012 - Hanmer Springs to Blenheim.After enjoying the hot springs of Hanmer prepare today for a ride on a backcountry road.
Day 6 of the Tour Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura (cycling distance 125km).In Kaikoura you may wish to enjoy an optional whalewatch cruise (additional expense) before driving through to Blenheim.
Settlement of Blenheim began in 1852, and grew greatly in 1864, when gold was discovered in the Wakamarina River, 30 km to the north-west. The central industry of the region remains sheep farming but the Wairau Plain and nearby river valleys now comprise the countries largest major grape-growing region. Overnight accommodation in a hotel
Friday 20 April 2012 - Blenheim to Wellington -Today is the last day in the South Island.
Day 7 of the Tour Blenheim to Picton via Havelock (cycling distance 70 km). Upon arrival in Picton board the early evening Interislander Ferry (along with your motorhome) and travel across to Wellington (sailing time 3 hours 10 minutes). From Wellington Ferry Terminal drive to your accommodation.Accommodation for three nights in hotel
Saturday 21 April 2012 - Wellington - This morning enjoy the Criterium stage of the Tour as you cycle around Wellington, followed by the prize giving luncheon.
Sunday 22 April 2012 - Wellington. Enjoy a well deserved day at leisure. At some stage during the day you will need to return your motorhome to the depot in Upper Hutt and then make your way independently back to the city centre.
Monday 23 April 2012 - Depart Wellington .Today you will be transferred to Wellington Airport prior to your onward flight.
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PRICE: NZD$1,235.00 per person (based on four people travelling)
A 25% deposit is required to confirm the booking, with final payment due 50 days prior to date of arrival. The package is subject to availability at time of booking, and any changes to accommodation will affect the package price.
Inclusions:
9 Days - Motorhome - Britz Navigator - 4 berth motorhome with shower and toilet
1 Night - Queenstown - Copthorne Lakefront, Lakeview Rooms, room only
1 Night - Invercargill - Lorneville Holiday Park (powered site)
1 Night - Queenstown - Copthorne Lakefront, Lakeview Rooms, room only
1 Night - Wanaka - Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park (powered site)
1 Night - Twizel - MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, room only
1 Night - Geraldine -Geraldine Holiday Park (powered site)
1 Night - Hanmer Springs - Hanmer Springs Holiday Park (powered site)
1 Night - Blenheim - Heartland Hotel Marlborough
3 Nights - Wellington - Copthorne Oriental Bay, Superior Rooms, room only
Arrival and Departure Shuttle Transfers
Interislander Ferry Crossing (including motorhome)
The motorhome rental is based on two couples sharing one motorhome. The Wellington drop off fee is waived for this tour. Bike Rack hire is included. Does not include liability reduction options and diesel tax recovery fees. All other Britz Terms and Conditions apply.
Valid from 10 April to 30 April 2012 (open for bookings until 15 April 2012).
Accommodation and powered sites subject to availability at time of booking.
Hotel accommodation is room only, and is based on two couples in two rooms on a twin/double basis. Hotel accommodation is predominantly 4 star.
Breakfast and other meals can be added as an optional extra.
Contact David Hull now for more information.