Hello everybody
I'm looking information for biking in NZ, it's better rent or buy a bike? In case to rent where can I find places to rent.
We are two and our plan is to go one month in november.
We are from Tierra del Fuego and maybe is tooo complicated carry 2 bikes from here to there.
All ideas are welcome!
Cheers
Natalia
Here is one link which may be of use if you are looking to tour the south island.
http://www.switchbacktravel.com/new-zealand/cycling-rentals
and one for the north island
http://www.adventure-auckland.co.nz/adventurecycles/serv_rentals.html
Just make sure what sort of cycle you will be getting to rent to make sure it is a suitable cycle for touring. The same applies to the panniers you hire. I have had no personal experience of these places.
It may be a good idea to bring your own saddles and pedals for comfort and have them fitted to your bikes.
Buying a bike for touring is rather expensive unless you go for a cheap mountainbike, in which case you will not have the attachment points for racks. It also takes a little time which eats into your touring time which is limited.
Hi Natalie
you might want to try this link http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/ and check their offers for renting a bike. I planned a New Zealand cycling tour Bluff-2-CapeReinga in 2011. The folks at NaturalHeight were very helpful and skillfull. I could even arrange to pick up the bike in Invercargill and later drop off in Auckland.
As an aside: be extra cautious cycling on New Zealands roads. New Zealand is a fantastic country with friendly people (I used to live there for a while). However, car drivers are not known to be very considerate to cyclists on the road.
Safe cycling
Manfred