Exciting opportunities for cycling in New Zealand are about to open up with the announcement of a new direct daily Continental Airlines flight from Houston direct to New Zealand. The new service will start in November 2011. New Zealand is a cyclist’s paradise and now more Americans than ever will have the opportunity to experience the diverse landscape and natural beauty on offer.
Tourism New Zealand research shows that US visitors are New Zealand's most satisfied international travellers, rating their visits at 9.4 out of 10, and the majority of visitors from the US (97 per cent) said they were likely to recommend New Zealand as a holiday destination.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
It takes Two!
Yes it has been a while since the last blog. We have been busy at ICT, but now with the start of autumn things are starting to ‘cool off’ and we have some time for reflection.
There have been plenty of highlights for us over the season, tour numbers are up and new challenges have presented themselves.
A particularly interesting guided tour got underway soon after Christmas. Initially I thought that a group of 22 on tandems would be fairly straightforward, little did I know that I would be introduced to a whole new world of cycling, personalities and even language!
Some of the group (all couples) had been riding tandems for many years. I was impressed with the mindset that people develop when coping with the particular challenges of successful tandem riding. You might expect that there would be lots of frustrations, reactivity and disagreements, but the impression was of remarkable serenity, tolerance and kindness. Pilots work hard to keep their stoker happy. Stokers do their best to attend to the needs of their pilots. Off the bike the serenity continues. I found myself dreamily wishing that I was not operating my ‘half bike’ (as they called it) and sharing the experience with another on the same machine.
The leader of the group and passionate tandem rider explained that the tandem ‘solves all kinds of problems’ and allows people of varying abilities to ride together. For info on their bikes
The tour ended up being extremely enjoyable both for the clients and the guides. We are really looking forward to more.
On a more personal note, the mid summer also held an opportunity to compete in New Zealand’s first ‘brevet’ ride. These rides are popular in Europe and the states and take on a number of forms. The inspiration came from mountain bike legend Simon Kennett who had competed in the 4000km Great Divide Race.
The idea was to cycle an 1100km route round the top of the South Island using (where possible) off road options and all cyclists had to be self supported, but of course could pay for food and accommodation along the way. At the start of February some 60 odd people lined up in Blenheim on a sunny day and commenced their odyssey. Those wanting to make the distance in the best possible time would ride 15 plus hours per day, eating frantically and sleeping where they could. The first rider made it home in a remarkable 4 days 2 hours.
An interesting arrangement was that each rider carried a SPOT GPS tracker; this not only improved safety and kept things honest but also allowed those at home to get minute by minute updates as to where the riders were since the positions were displayed on Google Maps. In one hilarious incident one rider missed a crucial turn off, soon his phone was ringing because the people in his office had been following his progress and informed him he had made a wrong turn. Another rider accidentally tripped the emergency button on his tracker and within minutes a helicopter was hovering overhead. On discovering the error he canceled the call and the helicopter made its way back to base. I never found out if he had to end up paying for the mis-communication. It is gratifying to know that the emergency services are readily available. Details of the event can be viewed here
That’s all for now. All the best from Kim, Paul and the crew at ICT
There have been plenty of highlights for us over the season, tour numbers are up and new challenges have presented themselves.
A particularly interesting guided tour got underway soon after Christmas. Initially I thought that a group of 22 on tandems would be fairly straightforward, little did I know that I would be introduced to a whole new world of cycling, personalities and even language!
Some of the group (all couples) had been riding tandems for many years. I was impressed with the mindset that people develop when coping with the particular challenges of successful tandem riding. You might expect that there would be lots of frustrations, reactivity and disagreements, but the impression was of remarkable serenity, tolerance and kindness. Pilots work hard to keep their stoker happy. Stokers do their best to attend to the needs of their pilots. Off the bike the serenity continues. I found myself dreamily wishing that I was not operating my ‘half bike’ (as they called it) and sharing the experience with another on the same machine.
The leader of the group and passionate tandem rider explained that the tandem ‘solves all kinds of problems’ and allows people of varying abilities to ride together. For info on their bikes
The tour ended up being extremely enjoyable both for the clients and the guides. We are really looking forward to more.
On a more personal note, the mid summer also held an opportunity to compete in New Zealand’s first ‘brevet’ ride. These rides are popular in Europe and the states and take on a number of forms. The inspiration came from mountain bike legend Simon Kennett who had competed in the 4000km Great Divide Race.
The idea was to cycle an 1100km route round the top of the South Island using (where possible) off road options and all cyclists had to be self supported, but of course could pay for food and accommodation along the way. At the start of February some 60 odd people lined up in Blenheim on a sunny day and commenced their odyssey. Those wanting to make the distance in the best possible time would ride 15 plus hours per day, eating frantically and sleeping where they could. The first rider made it home in a remarkable 4 days 2 hours.
An interesting arrangement was that each rider carried a SPOT GPS tracker; this not only improved safety and kept things honest but also allowed those at home to get minute by minute updates as to where the riders were since the positions were displayed on Google Maps. In one hilarious incident one rider missed a crucial turn off, soon his phone was ringing because the people in his office had been following his progress and informed him he had made a wrong turn. Another rider accidentally tripped the emergency button on his tracker and within minutes a helicopter was hovering overhead. On discovering the error he canceled the call and the helicopter made its way back to base. I never found out if he had to end up paying for the mis-communication. It is gratifying to know that the emergency services are readily available. Details of the event can be viewed here
That’s all for now. All the best from Kim, Paul and the crew at ICT
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Cyclic musings.
Have you ever noticed how cyclists riding on their own, have that dreamy far-away look on their faces? What on earth are they thinking about? Actually, you probably don’t want to know! In my own experience, I know that after a certain number of pedal revolutions, my mind begins to wander, mostly to things nothing to do with cycling. On returning home, I really have no idea what has been going through my mind, but I do notice that all the daily rubbish and clutter has disappeared! I’m sure others have a similar experience.
Of course cycling with others is another thing entirely! I’m sure that there is more to it than a chance to take a draft advantage or comparing carbon fibre components. The chance of exchanging information of all sorts is certainly appealing. From business deals to malicious gossip, the chatter goes on and on. No wonder they call it the new golf!
I recently took a journey to the South of the South Island. It was pleasing to see good numbers of cyclists out and about. Clearly, the number of cycle tourists is on the increase. It’s interesting to see all the different apparatus and technical paraphernalia that cyclists employ to improve the experience of the journey. Various arrangements of panniers and backpacks give way to more extensive trailers and buggies. Minimalists to pure comfort riders are out there sampling the great experiences available to those prepared to put in some effort and take the time to see New Zealand at a more leisurely pace than the harried drivers who zoom past.
As to the goings on at Independent Cycle Tours. We have plenty of self guided tours on their way. We also have places still available for our luxury tour on 10th-20th February 2010. I'm currently guiding a tour of 36 round the South Island who are all on tandems! Should be an interesting way to see in the New Year.
Happy cycling and a great new year.
Have you ever noticed how cyclists riding on their own, have that dreamy far-away look on their faces? What on earth are they thinking about? Actually, you probably don’t want to know! In my own experience, I know that after a certain number of pedal revolutions, my mind begins to wander, mostly to things nothing to do with cycling. On returning home, I really have no idea what has been going through my mind, but I do notice that all the daily rubbish and clutter has disappeared! I’m sure others have a similar experience.
Of course cycling with others is another thing entirely! I’m sure that there is more to it than a chance to take a draft advantage or comparing carbon fibre components. The chance of exchanging information of all sorts is certainly appealing. From business deals to malicious gossip, the chatter goes on and on. No wonder they call it the new golf!
I recently took a journey to the South of the South Island. It was pleasing to see good numbers of cyclists out and about. Clearly, the number of cycle tourists is on the increase. It’s interesting to see all the different apparatus and technical paraphernalia that cyclists employ to improve the experience of the journey. Various arrangements of panniers and backpacks give way to more extensive trailers and buggies. Minimalists to pure comfort riders are out there sampling the great experiences available to those prepared to put in some effort and take the time to see New Zealand at a more leisurely pace than the harried drivers who zoom past.
As to the goings on at Independent Cycle Tours. We have plenty of self guided tours on their way. We also have places still available for our luxury tour on 10th-20th February 2010. I'm currently guiding a tour of 36 round the South Island who are all on tandems! Should be an interesting way to see in the New Year.
Happy cycling and a great new year.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Summer has arrived for ICTNZ
Weekends see the local roads and trails filling with cyclists. The popular ‘Long Bays’ road circuit is seeing the small winter and spring bunches of the hardy-souled burgeoning into brightly coloured pelotons of brilliantly-attired riders. The local port hills trails are getting a hammering and plenty of flash new bikes are about.
This year has seen a push from the local cycling organization, BikeNZ to see a 1.5 metre distance for motorists passing cyclists. It’s interesting to see that even without a law change, motorists in general seem to have taken up the initiative, with only a few ‘letters to the editor’ in local papers with motorists bemoaning having to wait a couple of seconds to pass a group of cyclists.
Probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the cycling is the sense of shared experience and camaraderie amongst like minded individuals. Even the ‘hard core’ roadies are struggling to differentiate themselves from the mountain bikers, cycle tourers and BMX riders. More and more people are having a go at the different disciplines available.
The local trail system on our incomparable Port Hills overlooking
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