Follow along on this 7 part series as we set off on an unforgettable 4-week cycling adventure from Auckland to Queenstown, riding the legendary Tour Aotearoa route. We totaled 1,946km (1,209 miles) of riding from start to finish. By far our longest bike tour yet…well, until the next one!
Aotearoa, meaning "Long White Cloud" in the Māori language, is a common name for New Zealand.
Episode 2 took us through one of the most stunning parts of our journey—the legendary Timber Trail! 🌲🚴♂️ The trail is magical, winding through dense forests and over tons of suspension bridges. The whole ride was filled with the sound of birds and the peacefulness of nature, making it a major highlight of our whole tour. After the trail, we made it to Taumarunui and treated ourselves to a beautiful Airbnb nestled in the forest. Finally—hot showers, a warm bed, and a chance to restock on groceries! 🍲 We were in much-needed reset mode and even did some sink laundry.
We hit a little snag, though— we were out of camp fuel and the local stores that were open were out of stock. Eric emailed one of the outdoor stores that was closed, Seriously Outdoors, and they opened up just for us so we could buy the fuel we needed for cooking in the backcountry! Thank you Glen!
Things didn’t go exactly as planned when we found out the Bridge to Nowhere route was closed due to a slip (landslide). The detour would’ve added at least 1 extra day, so we decided to take the train instead. Though the train was sold out online, the train driver was kind enough to sell us tickets for the café car, and we made it all the way to Palmerston North.
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Next episode coming Feb. 10, 2025
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Spanning over 3,000 kilometers in total, this iconic bike route took us through some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes—from lush farmland and rugged coastlines to pristine lakes and towering mountains. Along the way, we met amazing locals, made new friends with fellow cyclists, and experienced the highs and lows of this incredible journey.
It was truly a ride we’ll never forget!
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