Lonely Planet Cycling New Zealand (Lonely Planet Cycling Guides) (Paperback)

by N. Wells (Author), N. Irvine (Author), I. Duckworth (Author) "c 950 AD - The legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe discovers NZ and names it Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud), before re home to..." (more)
Key Phrases: cyclist chapter, cable adjusting barrel, tourist flats, New Zealand, North Island, New Plymouth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This informative guide steers you along 34 of the best cycling routes in New Zealand. Explore spectacular coastal roads, rugged mountain passes and rich dairy country with rides ranging from leisurely one day trips to challenging extended tours.

• 103 days of New Zealand's best riding
• how to pack and transport your bike
• on-the-road maintenance tips and where to find help
• where to stay - from camping to cosy B&Bs
• where to eat - from bakeries to bistros
• what to see and do out of the saddle
• selected mountain bike rides

From the Publisher
As the premiere title in Lonely Planet’s new cycling series, "Cycling New Zealand" is an informative guide that steers you along 34 of the best cycling routes in New Zealand. With this book in tow you can explore spectacular coastal roads, rugged mountain passes and rich dairy country with rides ranging from leisurely one day trips to challenging extended tours. Most rides described are accompanied by a map that shows the route as well as any attractions and possible side trips.

There is a special section called ‘Your Bike’ which provides vital information on bike selection, preparation, maintenance and transport. In addition there is pertinent information on staying healthy, medical problems and treatment, and safety on the bike. "Cycling New Zealand" is a comprehensive tool for the dedicated cyclist for whom the cycling itself is the main focus, as well as for the traveler to the area who wants to do some cycling.

• 103 days of New Zealand’s best riding
• how to pack and transport your bike
• on-the-road maintenance tips and where to find help
• where to stay - from camping to cozy B&Bs
• where to eat - from bakeries to bistros
• what to see and do out of the saddle
• selected mountain bike rides

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; illustrated edition edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186450031X
• ISBN-13: 978-1864500318
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,044,113 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Riding in Circles, October 15, 2000

By	"bikermitch" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

As a big fan of cycle-touring and Lonely Planet guide books, I was quite excited to find the LP Cycling New Zealand book. I'm leaving on a 2 month cycle-tour throughout New Zealand soon, and figured this book would be all I'd need guidewise. Structured the same as regular LP guides, it gives all the basic info for New Zealand, including cycling specific info wherever it fits. The sections on taking your bike on trains and busses within New Zealand was especially helpful.

The routes however, were a bit disappointing. While each individual route is well laid out, almost none of the routes are connected. If your plan was to cycle the North Island from Auckland down to the Southern tip of the island, it would be impossible to follow the routes highlighted in the book. Also missing is an overview map showing all the routes. On the positive side, each route description is well done, including distance/navigation info, elevation profiles, accomodation, and sightseeing info.

If you are looking to do a series of shorter tours, I would recommend this book. If your goal is an extended tour covering long distances, Bruce Ringer's "New Zealand By Bike" book is a better choice.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars nearly useless, July 28, 2005

By	Dennis Ketterling (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've bicycle toured solo in Ireland, Britain, France, Germany, Austria and New Zealand. I've yet to see a cycling guide to a country that is worth taking along, and this book is worse than most, because of the "loop" configuration of the rides, and the confusing maps (look hard to see which way is north!). In my travel journal, I made a reference to the "nearly useless" LP Cycling Guide.

My recommendation for any country is to take a look at the general information overview in any cycling guide, make notes of any peculiarities of that country (ie, NZ requires all cyclists to wear a helmet. You cannot leave the airport on your bike until you've purchased a helmet at the airport shop), then buy the GENERAL (not cycling-specific) tourist guide that suits your style. I used the Rough Guide New Zealand (best maps and budget accommodation info; I don't camp), after rejecting the Lonely Planet guide. In Europe the best has consistently been Let's Go, with Rick Steves' being an excellent series for inside information (even though his hand-drawn maps are mediocre, his inside info is excellent.)

Buy maps when you get there. You'll find great maps ("Kiwi Maps"(?) spiral-bound booklet) in service stations in the countries you go to. When you can look them over in the country they were made for, you'll find they're cheaper, and you can then assess exactly what suits you. You can generally go to Tourist Information in the airport for good information on where to go first, then buy a map when you're situated.

I had high hopes for this guide when I lugged it along, but after a couple of outdated references to gravel roads (that didn't materialize), and weird warnings about dangerous roads (that weren't) I gave up on it early on. Kiwis are the friendliest ("toot-toot") drivers I've come across, the roads are better than most in the U.S., and get up and go--it's a dream for scenery, and if you've never travelled abroad, there is NO culture shock (It's got a strong Colorado vibe)!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book needs to be updated!!!, June 27, 2005

By	Andrew R (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

I bet if the people who rated this book highly were polled as to what year they utilized its guidance there would be a direct correlation to how close they were to the release of this only edition...hint hint Lonely Planet editors...UPDATE THIS BOOK!

I don't know where to begin but who in the world rides loops when they are bicycle touring. While I admit that the Southern Alps loop was pretty cool I couldn't overlook the out of date information and sometimes inaccurate terrain profiles in this book. I quicky learned not to rely too heavily on this book and transitioned over to the, much lighter, Pedaller's Paradise. That wafer thin book of goodness in conjunction with the NZ AA maps (which are free to anyone who has an Autoclub memmbership) were much more informative and enjoyable. I am not sure if Amazon carries that book but you can easily search for "pedaller's paradise."

Lastly, I took a Lonely Planet New Zealand guide book as well and found that not worth its brick-like weight in my pannier. I found the New Zealand Tourist Information centers and the people who staff them much more informative and much more fun to engage. The first thing I usually did when rolling into towns was to b-line directly for the Tourist Information.

One more thing...if you like to mountain bike as well pick up the Kennett Brother's book, Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides, by searching for "kennett bros classic."