A Nation-Wide Cycling Route in New Zealand?

Letter to the Editor, The Herald
April, 2009



Did you know that New Zealand is considered a world-class destination for cycle touring?

I have completed long distance cycle tours across the US, around Europe, in Bolivia and in New Caledonia. All said and done, New Zealand is one of the best places I have ever cycled.

Surprisingly, most Kiwis I met during my 3-month trip were unaware of the fact that NZ is number one for cyclists around the world.



Now, before you Kiwis laugh off the proposed economic stimulus plan for such a cycling route, I would like to share that I actually quit my well paying sales job in America to come to New Zealand for 3 months during this economic crisis to have my holiday. I spent upwards of $10,000 US dollars, including airfare, food and other equipment that I bought here in order to complete my trip. I will also tell you that during my trip I met a minimum of one, and up to thirty, new and different cycle tourists each day from places like France, Germany, US, Australia, Taiwan, Scotland and Holland. Many of these people were repeating trips that had done year after year, and staying a minimum of six weeks.



The question is, what kind of cycle route will New Zealand build to bring in more cycle tourists like us?



Let's consider for a moment the cycle tourist. I know you have seen us on the edge of your peripheral vision as you were driving recently. We are the kind of poor sap you feel sorry for when looking out the window on a rainy day because all their earthly possessions covered in plastic and strapped to a wobbly bicycle.



By God, Marge, what is that?! A wayward cow?



No, we are the people who choose to enjoy the scenery from the saddle. We are huffing and puffing the hills and flying down the descents with tears of joy. We have radars for the best takeaways, biggest cookies and can gobble up entire boxes of muesli bars in one sitting. Not only are we bloody starving, but we are also craving the best and most scenic routes that New Zealand has to offer (Pedaler's Paradise is a one of a kind cycling notebook with distances and elevations, created by and for cycle tourists right in New Zealand. Note to bookstores and bike shops: start stocking these books! Better yet, put this info online...) All we really want are some routes set apart from traffic so we don't become roadkill and perhaps some more of the considerate gestures like the bicycle assembly station you have at the Christchurch airport.



As someone who would definitely be back with more money to spend in the future, I thought you might like to at least consider what people like me might want in such a route. That is, a one-of-a-kind route in a world's best cycling destination, in case you forgot.



First, cycle tourists don't want to "just get there." The road is the destination. So please don't just create a route that is the shortest distance between point A and B. The beauty of cycle touring is freedom to choose, to stop easily, to be closer to the landscape and nature all around you. Did you know the East Cape is considered by many as the best coastal scenery for cycling on the planet? Oh, and don't worry, we know mountains go up; that's why we ride them. So don't leave out the freewheeling descents of the Coromandel, Otago and Banks Peninsulas, as well as the ascents of Mt Cook and Haast Past. Just because the road is flat doesn't mean it's any fun.



Second, consider how the route will connect up with the plethora of affordable accommodation options. Cycle tourists are more flexible then your typical backpacker, and we like to go where the tourist buses don't go. Typically cycle tourists are self supported, and New Zealand is well equipped with a plethora of low cost camping grounds with clean bathrooms, hot showers and comfortable kitchens.

In the US, at best, you get running water and a composting toilet. As for backpacker hostels, if I had known that I could have a bed and a roof over my head every night for the same price as camping, I would have left my tent and camping stove at home. For cheap beds, New Zealand has Europe beat by miles! As for the credit card cyclists, you've got superb B & Bs should one prefer to pay more so they can carry less. With all these options, New Zealand can attract just about any kind of cyclist out there in budget, age and travelling preference.



If you build it, we will come! Come to think of it, why not just begin with a few more conversions of rail trails or some cycle lanes in the more popular scenic routes?



Just remember that we choose travel this way because we like the wind in our wheels, and, please, don't ever feel sorry for us. Instead, the next time you see someone on a bike who is battling wind and rain to pedal over some mountain with sweat pouring down their face and heart thundering in their chest, give them a thumbs up.

You can be sure this person is not only having the time of their life, but may also be New Zealand's economic future.