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5 benefits of a fully supported cycle trip you may not have considered

Perfect spot for a photo stop along the trail | Lachlan Gardiner

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From the North to the South, there are so many wonderful cycle trails to explore around New Zealand.

We've outlined 5 benefits of a fully supported cycling trip that you may not have considered below, to help with your planning process for the summer ahead.

1. Pre-booked accommodation

With borders still closed to NZ, you may be surprised to hear that accommodation is already filling up in key locations on cycle trails such as the Alps 2 Ocean and the Otago Central Rail Trail. This is especially true in March and April and other public holiday weekends.

On a fully supported tour, all of the accommodation is pre-booked and has been tried and tested. This means once you've picked a date, all you have to do is press go, and you know you'll be staying somewhere comfortable and relaxing.

When you book yourself, you will often have to wait for 5 different accommodation providers to get back to you, only to find that one isn't available and starting the process all over again. With a self-guided operator you may have to settle for backpacker accommodation, ride an extra 20km or delay your trip to the following year.

We work with a huge range of accommodation providers which are mostly 3 star boutique hotels, farm stays and family owned motels, so variety is guaranteed. Meet some of our accommodation providers here.

2. Snacks and hot drinks set up along the trail

Our vehicles are loaded with snacks | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

Adventure South NZ's famous morning and afternoon tea stops are a welcome sight along the trail.

Picture yourself 15km deep into a trail... it's a hot day... your starting to feel a bit peckish... and then boom - you see a table covered in what looks like cold drinks, tea, coffee... maybe even some snacks?

No, it's not a mirage. On a fully supported trip, guides have a sixth sense for knowing the perfect spot to stop for a breather and a cuppa. This saves you carrying a heavy thermos and snacks and lets you enjoy the freedom of a light load on the bike.

3. Avoid mission impossible - that is trying to get a group of adults to agree on the same thing!

Our guides are always there to let you know where to go | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

We hear all to often the story of the eager soul who decides they will be the organiser of a 6 day Alps to Ocean Cycle Trip with 8 couples, grandma and Sarah from next door.

Next minute, they're 2 wine's deep into a google search with tabs open for places to stay, where to hire bikes and where to eat. The time comes to present it to the group -- only to be pushed 10 steps backwards by 1000 differing opinions.

Of course, if you're up for this go for it, but if you'd prefer to avoid it, you can present them with a fully supported itinerary, make a few tweaks where needed and away you go. Afterwards you can even take the credit.

4. It's value for money

Going solo isn't always cheaper. Fully supported tours include transfers to and from trails, bike maintenance, the best 3-4 star accommodation rates, hand picked restaurants, never ending snacks and refreshments, and invaluable advice and support from an experienced team. These all add up while out on a solo trip and hidden costs can appear mid trip.

With cycling tours ranging from 5 to 14 days, we do our best to to pack as much value into our tours as possible, adding additional highlights both on and off the trail.

Value for money was excellent. The bikes, accommodation, food for the guides were excellent. Nothing was a problem and we weren't rushed at any stage. - Reg and Louise S, Australia.

5. Visit highlights that are out of trails reach

On a fully supported trip, the support vehicle is not only there for resting your legs, but allows you flip the direction of a ride if there is a strong head wind, and will get you to all of the hidden gems along the trail that are out of pedals reach.

Highlights we travel to off the trail:

West Coast Wilderness Trail: Hokitika Gorge, Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and Lake Brunner
Otago Central Rail Trail: Curling in Naseby, Ophir, Queenstown Trails, St Bathans Blue Lake
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: Hooker Valley Track walk at Aoraki/Mt Cook, Omarama Clay Cliffs
Nelson Great Taste Trail: Marlborough wineries, Nelson township, eternal flame experience, Abel Tasman walk and sail

Whether you plan your trip on your own or choose to go fully supported, we look forward to seeing you out on the trails this summer! If you have any questions, feel free to email our team here

or give us a call on 0800 00 11 66.

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