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New Zealand South Island - bike hire
hi,
heading over to new zealand (south island) for a week with the family. so far i have negotiated one whole day(!) for mountain biking.
was wondering where to make best use of this generously allocated quality time so basically looking for an awesome trail experience on a decent hired bike (if there is such a thing). i've heard good things about the queens town region but any info would be much appreciated.
thanks
S
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Hey Stefan, both QT and Wanaka (other side of the mountains) are supposed to have excellent MTB trails / rides for all skill levels. The drive to/from QT to Wanaka is stunning too. Google/Bing are your friends me ol' sausage! Go explore.
QT and Wanaka offer plenty and can definitely hire bikes in QT.
Dont overlook Christchurch.
Christchurch also has great trails in the Port Hills. Just need to check if trails are open again after recent earthquake. There is around 450m of vertical with a perimeter track along the crater rim. Most ride up road and down single track but many loops possible and many descent options off perimeter track. Vic Park in this area has jumps and see saws. NZ Councils attitudes are way more progressive, Port Hills trails were established in late '90's by Council, dept. of Conservation and private land owners. One Council sign sums the situation in NZ and Sydney contrast the best 'Warning 40 foot gap jump ahead, in Emergency dial 000 and Park Ranger".
Maps and details can be found on Christchurch City Councils website. There is also flatter XC area at Bottle Lake, again on Councils website.
If around Christchurch a day trip to Craigieburn is also well worth it. Great track descending from bottom of ski field near lodges at top of access road back to highway or loop option over a ridge line. Great views and trail is flowy and pumpy.
Would check out You Tube. Drop In did NZ tour a few years back.
+1 for Christchurch.
I've just had a week mountain biking in and around Christchurch. I did a lot of the Port hills, bottle lake forest, hammer springs, Victoria park and the Wharfdale trail near Oxford. All of them excellent and well maintained trails as has been said, the NZ councils really promote the sport there and it shows through their trails.
I'll write a blog about my trip soon.