Alright, since there's no "NZ" forum on here, but I know that at least a couple Monkies are either from NZ or have travelled there, I'm posting this up to see what ya'll say. I'll probably X-post in the DH forum just in case, we'll see what response I get here.
The dealio: Me and my ladyfriend are heading to New Zealand at the end of Sept/early Oct for 16 days of AWESOME. We're starting to get together our itinerary of things we'd like to see, check out, and do... and wouldn't ya know it getting a couple of days riding is on the list! We'll probably also do a 2-3 day tramp, and get some spring skiing in for at least a day or three as well... she has a friend in Wanaka that works at one of the resorts so we're all set there.
So, what do I want from you b@stardos? Well, anyone that has been or actually lives there or is from there... we'd like some recommendations on where to ride/not ride, places to rent nice bikes, good companies to deal with, that sort of thing. We're pretty sure we'll be there in early spring conditions so where we are able to ride will surely be based on weather so if anyone has insight on that, it would be helpful as well.
A little about us: we're both fairly fit (30+ mile rides at altitude are within our comfort level) and pretty decent on the bike tech wise. I race DH (not pro by any means but I can get down a hill) and she has just started riding DH this year and is picking it up quickly. We're open to all suggestions: epic XC, DH, crazy epic have-to-do roadie rides, whatever.
Prelim research has turned up Rotorua's Whakawerawa Forest as a possibility, but we're planning on hitting both the North and South Islands (we'll have a car on loaner from a ski-buddy of hers that lives in Wellington) so anywhere that's good - we're in to it.
And lastly... if any NZ monkies wanna ride, lemme know!
Okay... 1-2-3-go!
The dealio: Me and my ladyfriend are heading to New Zealand at the end of Sept/early Oct for 16 days of AWESOME. We're starting to get together our itinerary of things we'd like to see, check out, and do... and wouldn't ya know it getting a couple of days riding is on the list! We'll probably also do a 2-3 day tramp, and get some spring skiing in for at least a day or three as well... she has a friend in Wanaka that works at one of the resorts so we're all set there.
So, what do I want from you b@stardos? Well, anyone that has been or actually lives there or is from there... we'd like some recommendations on where to ride/not ride, places to rent nice bikes, good companies to deal with, that sort of thing. We're pretty sure we'll be there in early spring conditions so where we are able to ride will surely be based on weather so if anyone has insight on that, it would be helpful as well.
A little about us: we're both fairly fit (30+ mile rides at altitude are within our comfort level) and pretty decent on the bike tech wise. I race DH (not pro by any means but I can get down a hill) and she has just started riding DH this year and is picking it up quickly. We're open to all suggestions: epic XC, DH, crazy epic have-to-do roadie rides, whatever.
Prelim research has turned up Rotorua's Whakawerawa Forest as a possibility, but we're planning on hitting both the North and South Islands (we'll have a car on loaner from a ski-buddy of hers that lives in Wellington) so anywhere that's good - we're in to it.
And lastly... if any NZ monkies wanna ride, lemme know!
Okay... 1-2-3-go!