Tandems East - Tandem Bicycles, Tours, Custom Wheels and More

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"Small groups, great guides, superb holidays”

“New Zealand 2010 T.E.A.S.E”

New Zealand - Tandem East Adventure South Experience - 1/1/10 > 1/18/10

Starting out of Christchurch, this itinerary takes us on a train journey to Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps before cycling down to the rainforest clad shoreline of the West Coast. After visiting the limestone structures at Punakaiki we ride to remote Karamea where we spend two days before flying over the Kahurangi National Park to Golden Bay and a night on a local farm. After hiking in the Abel Tasman National Park we cycle inland to Lake Rotoiti and then follow the majestic Buller River before traversing the Lewis Pass to Hanmer hot springs. Its back to the coast at Kaikoura where we have the option of whalewatching or dolphin swimming before our final ride on quiet rural roads takes us back to our starting point for our final two days in the garden city of Christchurch.

- a diverse 18 day tour that explores quiet roads seldom cycled by others

- enjoy a warm-up spectacular ride along the Port Hills above the city with magnificent views of the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains, the city, the Pacific Ocean & Lyttleton harbor.

- relax on a scenic train journey into the heart of the Southern Alps

- walk around the unique Pancake Rocks formed by wave action on limestone shores

- cycle alongside the little visited and rugged coastline of the northern West Coast, blasted by the wild Tasman Ocean

- spend two nights in remote Karamea before flying over the beautiful Kahurangi National Park

- discover the magic of hiking or sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park with its beautiful golden sand bays

- stay a night with some “Kiwi” farmers, enjoy their down to earth hospitality and take a private tour of their farms.

- ride in a raft or on your bike through the mighty Buller Gorge

- soak those tired muscles in the hot pools at Hanmer Springs

- take an optional whale watching or dolphin swimming tour in Kaikoura

- spend two days exploring Christchurch, known as the Garden City it is renowned as the most English city outside of England

Quotes from the 2006 & 2008 T.E.A.S.E. tours

“ The tour was all we expected and more – we will be back!” …(and they were in 2008 & now 2010!) - Mel & Barbara Kornbluh, Tour Organizers, Tandems East, 2006.

“The air is fresh, the water is excellent and the scenery is fabulous. Tim & Helen were always positive and encouraging to us, very competent, knowledgeable and fun tour guides” – Geri & John Stanton, 2006 .(…they also came back in 2008!)

“Adventure South did a great job of incorporating the ‘best of the best” on this tour. The guides were fantastic, knowledgeable, patient, available and with a great sense of humour. Combined with the amazing scenery & culture it makes for a wonderful tour experience.” – Judy Knudson, Jan 2008.

“I want to praise the guides who always made us feel like we were the most important group they have ever had, we felt like we were truly immersed in New Zealand.” – Carol Anderson, Jan 2008

Daily Tour Notes

(included meals, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Day 1 - Friday – 1/1/2010 - Christchurch

Today is designated as an arrival day, we will pick you up from the airport & deliver you to your hotel. The day is free allowing you time to acclimatise from the long flight, assemble your bikes and take them for a test ride on the local bike trails. Dinner tonight is our first chance to get together as a group as we dine at a local brew pub.

Accom - Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue, Riccarton, Christchurch.

http://www.chateau-park.co.nz (D)

Day 2 - Saturday – 1/2/2010 Christchurch

At lunchtime we meet at our depot for a ‘working lunch’. Our Guides will facilitate the trip briefing and introductions. They will give you a full understanding of the itinerary, terrain and any operational issues we need to deal with. This is the time to fit your rental bikes or fine tune your own Tandem before we turn some pedals on a warm-up ride in the spectacular Port Hills above the city, providing wonderful views of Lyttleton Harbor, the Pacific Ocean & Southern Alps. Tonight you have the option of taking in a local Maori Cultural performance.

Ride – 42km/27 miles

Accom - Chateau on the Park, Christchurch.

http://www.chateau-park.co.nz (B, L)

Day 3 – Sunday – 1/3/2010 - Christchurch to Hokitika

This morning we take the scenic Tranz-Alpine train,….

< http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/tranzalpine.aspx >

….to the village of Arthur’s Pass, nestled in the midst of the Southern Alps. Our ride starts with an easy climb to the summit followed by a wonderful descent into the rainforests of the West Coast. We emerge from the forest at the Tasman Sea and continue southwards through the rural countryside before reaching the craft center of Hokitika, home of the local jade known as Pounamu, or Greenstone.

Ride - 103kms/64 miles.

Accom - Jade Court Motor Lodge, Hokitika.

http://www.jadecourt.co.nz (B, D)

Day 4 - Monday – 1/4/2010 - Hokitika to Punakaiki

We head north today through rural countryside to Greymouth. After we cross the Grey River the coastal ride becomes spectacular as the road hugs the coast with its many river mouths and bush slopes. This afternoon you will have time to visit the famous local Pancake Rocks, created by wave action on the local limestone coastline. If the Tasman Ocean swell is up the blowholes are an amazing sight.

( B, D ) Ride – 84kms/52 miles

Accom – Punakaki Resort, Punakaiki http://www.punakaiki-resort.co.nz/

Day 5 – Tuesday – 1/5/2010 - Punakaiki to Westport

A relaxing start this morning with an option to hike on a coastal walkway or for those keen to get in some paddling, there is a lovely easy kayak trip into the Porari River valley surrounded by the limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park. After a midday break we continue along the coast. One of the trips many highlights is the coastal riding as we head northwards to Westport, the riding is pure quality – with enough hills to keep you honest. This evening we visit spectacular Tauranga Bay, we take a short walk to visit a seal colony before dining at a restaurant by the sea.

(B, L, D) Cycling distance – 56kms / 35 miles

Accom – Chelsea Gateway Motel, Westport http://www.chelseagateway.co.nz/

Day 6 – Wednesday – 1/6/2010 - Westport to Karamea

Today is cycling heaven as the road travels north alongside the Tasman Ocean on very quiet roads. At Summerlea we head inland with some challenging climbs made enjoyable by the beautiful surrounding scenery. We return to the coast for the last flat section into the isolated village of Karamea, our base for the next two nights. (B, L, D)

Cycling Distance – 97 kms/60 miles

Accom – The Last Resort, Karamea http://lastresort.co.nz/home.aspx

Day 7 – Thursday – 1/7/2010 - Karamea – Rest Day

The peaceful village of Karamea is a great place to rest up. For those keen to ride there is a lovely coastal ride of 25 miles each way north of the village and there are a host of local activities from tours through the local Honeycomb Caves to kayaking on the rivers and walking on the beach at sunset. Bird watching, golf & visits to local craft galleries are also options. Your guides & bikes will leave you this afternoon for the long drive around the Kahurangi National Park so as to meet you from your flight the next morning. (B)

Accom – The Last Resort, Karamea http://lastresort.co.nz/home.aspx

Day 8 – Friday – 1/8/2010 - Karamea to Motueka

This morning you will fly over the Kahurangi National Park, the views from your plane are spectacular as you cross the wilderness surrounding the Tasman Mountains before landing at Takaka in beautiful Golden Bay. Here you will rejoin your guides & bikes, the ride takes you through the quaint village of Takaka before you challenge the biggest climb of the tour over the Takaka Hill. This is a serious climb but as always the sag wagon is available for a ride to the top and a chance to enjoy a glorious descent. You will be picked up late afternoon in Motueka by your farmstay hosts and taken to their homes for an evening in a rural Kiwi household & a tour of their farm. (B,L,D) Cycling Distance – 67 kms/ 42 miles

Accommodation – Various Farms, Motuere & Motueka Valleys.

http://www.ruralholidays.co.nz/index.cfm/Tour_Group_Stays/South_Island_Group_Stays

Day 9 – Saturday – 1/9/2010 - Motueka to Nelson

Today is a hiking day although there is some optional local riding for pedal addicts. Your farmstay hosts will deliver you back to Motueka & from there we drive to the golden sand beach of Kaiteriteri and board a waiting water taxi. We travel along the magical coast line to the heart of the Abel Tasman National Park where we are dropped off to hike back to Marahau. The hike travels through pristine native forest and alongside the beautiful coastline, with options to drop down into secluded bays for a picnic or swim. For those who like to sea kayak there is also an option to paddle instead of hike today. Late afternoon we take the short drive to Nelson to rest up for a couple of days. (B, L,D)

Sea Kayaking - http://www.kahukayaks.co.nz

Accommodation – Rutherford Hotel, Nelson - http://www.rutherfordhotel.co.nz/

Day 10 – Sunday – 1/10/2010 - Nelson

The craft focused town of Nelson is a great place to rest up for the day, for details of local attractions visit, http://www.nelsonnz.com/(B)

Accommodation – Rutherford Hotel, Nelson - http://www.rutherfordhotel.co.nz/

Day 11 – Monday – 1/11/2010 – Nelson to St Arnaud

Today’s cycling starts in Motueka as we cycle south on the picturesque Motuere River valley road. We travel through a horticultural region especially known for growing hops & kiwifruit before we start a gradual climb through pine forests to the alpine resort of St Arnaud nestled besides Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. (B,L,D)

Cycling Distance – 109 kms/68 miles

Accommodation – Alpine Lodge, St. Arnaud -http://www.alpinelodge.co.nz/welcome.html

Day 12 – Tuesday – 1/12/2010 – St Arnaud to Murchison

This morning early risers will have a chance to hear the “Dawn Chorus” of the native birds in this mainland island reserve. An optional walk besides the lake is a great way to start the day before we head off on a downhill ride to the village of Murchison nestled on the banks of the Buller river, famed for its white water rafting & white water kayaking. Those keen to get wet can enjoy an optional rafting trip in the afternoon. (B, D)

< http://www.rivers.co.nz/rft-rafting.htm >

Cycling Distance – 60 kms/37 miles

Accommodation – Murchison Motels, Murchison http://www.murchisonmotels.co.nz/

Day 13 – Wednesday – 1/13/2010 – Murchison to Reefton

This morning’s ride is alongside the scenic Buller river, as it travels through the rainforests of the Kahurangi National park and through the Buller Gorge. On the way you will have a chance to walk on the New Zealand’s longest swingbridge or traverse the river on a flying fox. At Inanghua we leave the river & continue south through rural countryside to the old gold mining village of Reefton. (B,L,D)

Cycling Distance – 87kms/53 miles

Accommodation – Lantern Court, Reefton, http://www.lanterncourtmotel.co.nz/

Day 14 –Thursday – 1/14/2010 – Reefton to Hanmer Springs

A big ride today as we travel over the Lewis Pass to the eastern side of the Southern Alps. The landscape changes dramatically as we enter the drier eastern slopes that are sheltered by the rain shadow of the mountains, the rain forest turns to beech forest and we travel through the thermal district of Maruia Springs & Hanmer Springs. At the end of a long days ride there is nothing better than a soak in the hot pools at Hanmer to relax those tired muscles (B,L)

Cycling Distance – 139 kms /86 miles

Accommodation - Alpine Lodge Motel, Hanmer Springshttp://www.alpinelodgemotel.co.nz/

Day 15 – Friday – 1/15/2010 – Hanmer to Kaikoura

Spectacular riding today on very quiet roads as we tackle the final serious ride of the tour, the hills will challenge you & you will feel the benefits of the previous two weeks riding as we travel via the Inland Kaikoura road to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Known as a marine wildlife resort due to the deep oceanic trench lying just off shore, those with energy left can walk around the peninsula at dusk to see the seal colony & nesting seabirds. (B,L,D)

Cycling Distance – 141 kms/87 miles

Accommodation – White Morph http://www.whitemorph.co.nz/

Day 16 – Saturday – 1/16/2010 – Kaikoura to Christchurch

Early this morning you have the option of taking a marine wildlife tour,….

Whalewatch - http://www.whalewatch.co.nz

Dolphin or Albatross Encounter - http://www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura

Late morning we drive towards Christchurch & start our ride on quiet country roads, after an initial easy climb we cruise on flat roads as we enter the fertile Canterbury Plains, known as the bread basket of New Zealand. A final shuttle into the city & we are back in Christchurch from where the journey started. (B,L)

Cycling Distance – SH1 to Waikari – 89 kms/ 55 miles

Accommodation – Chateau on the Park http://www.chateau-park.co.nz

Day 17 – Sunday – 1/17/2010 – Christchurch – Free day

A chance to recover & relax, with time for packing your bikes, shopping & local sight seeing. For those that want to ride we can direct you to the local cycle route known as the Long Bays Ride (78 kms / 48 miles). We meet tonight for our final celebratory dinner & a chance to look back in review on a great tour (B,D)

Accommodation – Chateau on the Park http://www.chateau-park.co.nz

Day 18 – Monday – 1/18/2010 Its time for a sad farewell as your tour ends after breakfast - we are available to transport the group out to the airport. (B)

Estimated price for the 2010 New Zealand Tandem-East-Adventure-South-Experience is –

US $3450 per person (excluding airfare)

(Note – the price may change depending on currency fluctuations. A final price will be decided in May 2009)

Included –

• 17 nights/18 days