Mountain Biking?

[ralf-nz]

Is it common to commute with a bicycle in NZ?

In our town it isn't for mainly two reasons: Length of commute and topography of the terrain here. The majority of people live somewhere uphill and just don't enjoy the climb after their workday.
I did it for a couple of years though as our place is not too high above sealevel. However now my body just doesn't allow for it anymore.

[krag]

We brought our bikes over (Orange 5 and a Ragley Mmmbop) from the UK when we were just travelling around the North and Sound Islands to begin with. Cardboard bike boxes are fine, bit of pipe lagging around the forks and bubble wrap around everything else and had no bother, just take the bars off and tape them to the frame.

I didn't think much of Woodhill to be honest, some of the woodwork stuff is ok and some nice jumps but the singletrack was just ok. South Island was ace, heli biking, gondola access and shuttling in Queenstown was amazing.

I live in Wellington now and for a city the riding is ace: Makara (trail centre/XC type riding), Mount Vic (DH and XC runs), Miramar (same) all withing cycling distance of the city. Wainui is a short drive and has some good sketchy tracks too. There's a good community spirit, I go to a dig day once a week and it's a good craic.

Recently returned to the UK for a wedding and brought another bike back with me, again no worries in a cardboard box and no problems with customs/biosecurity just make sure you clean it first


"Is it common to commute with a bicycle in NZ?"

Certainly where I live in Wellington it is, plenty of people ride into town but riding back up the Ngauranga gorge every night is hard work!

[fayevalentine]

That's good to know as I am planning to head to Wellington. Are there any nz cycling forums where they organize rides for leisure riders?

[dbonnett]

That's good to know as I am planning to head to Wellington. Are there any nz cycling forums where they organize rides for leisure riders?

I would start with Vorb (www.vorb.org.nz) - there are a lot of Wellie riders on there and people who have asked about group rides etc. Depending on where you end up in the area, there may be different clubs to contact.

Another cool thing for commuting around Wellington is: http://www.journeyplanner.org.nz/ which will help you figure out low traffic, walking/riding safe routes from home to work. It is constantly updated and enhanced, so it is definitely worth a look.

[krag]

Second the vorb and also check out the facebook groups of the mountain bike areas, they usually have dig days or social rides on there:

Wellington ones I know of are:
Makara peak: http://www.makarapeak.org/
Miramar tracks: http://www.facebook.com/MiramarTrackProject
Wainui trail project: http://www.wtp.org.nz/

There's probably similar for other areas around the country.

[dbonnett]

Second the vorb and also check out the facebook groups of the mountain bike areas, they usually have dig days or social rides on there:

Wellington ones I know of are:
Makara peak: http://www.makarapeak.org/
Miramar tracks: http://www.facebook.com/MiramarTrackProject
Wainui trail project: http://www.wtp.org.nz/

There's probably similar for other areas around the country.

Great suggestions! I'll offer up the link for the Nelson/Tasman site we are putting together now (once I get things sorted on my end): www.mtb-buddies.org - We will have trail info, group rides, working bees, forums etc. The new site should be live by the end of this week.

[chocolate cake]

Is it common to commute with a bicycle in NZ?

Auckland wise not that common, despite the weather which is never too cold. The main reason is the roads and general std of driving.

[fayevalentine]

Hey guys, thanks for sharing!

Will def go check out vorb. I don't do races but I do enjoy cycling. So would love to join a leisure group to cycle and enjoy the scenic view of NZ

[Atkinnt]

Take it!!!!!!!!!!!

[Char]

Wonder how much it costs to ship a bike. I have a pretty new one but perhaps it costs more to ship than the bike itself?