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If you’ve always wanted to experience the ‘world behind handlebars’,
dreamed of leisurely cycling with the sun on your back, the sights
and the smells up close, being able to stop and enjoy the scenery
when it suits you...but held back from making the ultimate commitment,
maybe it’s time to revisit this wonderful way of travelling.
You only need a reasonable level of fitness and health for the introductory
level, with a gradual increase in fitness dependent on one’s daily activity,
hours of cycling, and terrain. The more challenging trips might include
some walking and hiking. Or consider the magic of a ‘heli-cycle’, being
air transported to some special area with your return journey by cycle.
Most introductory and moderate level trips involve cycling at a slow and
steady pace and could be up to 4-5 hours in one day. Most trips use well
graded paths, trails and sealed roads. In general, main or busy roads are
avoided, but from time to time these thoroughfares may need to be used.
So experience riding on these roads is beneficial.
Cycle touring bikes provided are comfortable, modern 21-27 speed
hybrid vehicles with good road wheels – or mountain bikes, suited to the
conditions you are likely to encounter. A range of different sizes for male
and female ensure you ride the correct fitting bike. Certain guided trips
have electric bikes, perfect for those who want to participate but are
concerned about their level of fitness or ability to stay with the group.
GUIDED OR SELF-GUIDED BICYCLE ADVENTURES
Each guided trip has a local guide, a back-up vehicle, driver and a
support driver. And if you feel like it, you can opt out at any time and
travel in the support vehicle. So you’re still enjoying and participating in
what the cycling group are doing that day. Or, organise a cycle trip that
is centre based, so that those of you who do not want to cycle, can do
your own daily exploring, cooking schools, visiting gardens, markets or
brocante fairs, whilst the cyclists can ride. If you want to make it a family
holiday, there are vehicle free cycle trails in Europe. There are children’s
bikes, bike trailers for the littlies and trail-a-bikes that can be attached to
your bike, so your child can cycle with you.
Cycle
with the Experts
United Travel Whitianga 75 Albert St
(07) 866 4397 or 0800 58 57 58
Guided trips are designed for small groups, encouraging shared
experiences, riding support and sometimes nurture life-long friendships.
There are self-guided trips for those wanting greater flexibility, with route
maps, instruction manuals and information on the local places of interest.
Wineries and historical sites and along the way the routes are way-
marked, making your itinerary easy to navigate.
Private groups are another great way to travel, make up your own party,
choose your own destination. The route and best itinerary features can
be designed for you, self-guided or guided, with back up vehicle and pre-
booked accommodation and sightseeing.
Cycling holidays are designed around the regions visited, seasonality and
the best time to experience them. There are opportunities to immerse
yourself in the local culture, experience majestic scenery, from iconic
trails to history packed pathways. Enjoy gourmet treats, art studios and
picturesque villages. Cycle from the seaside to the mountains. Combine
your cycle trip with walking or trekking. Or indulge in a Bike and Boat
holiday. Relax on board a barge or small ship after your day’s cycling, the
perfect match when your partner is not a cyclist and wants to relax, but
your idea of a holiday is a bit more active.
Best of all can be here at home, where we can cycle ‘our Place at our
Pace’. Ride the new cycle trails of New Zealand, along disused railway
lines, old coach roads, coastal tracks, quiet back country lanes and
off-road trails. Cycle independently, create your own group or join a
guided trail, such as the Otago Rail Trail. Bikes and equipment are widely
available to hire. There’s a cycle trail for all ages and ability from the
North to the South Island.
There’s a whole world of cycling, and it’s all only a pedal push away!
How to live
your dream
and enjoy a
cycling holiday
Monett Johnston
Travel Options
United Travel Whitianga
Left: Cycling ‘light’ in the
Italian Alps, the Dolomites
vineyards’ region.
Her heavy side bags?
Transported by the group’s
support van. And if she
gets tired, she is welcome
to jump aboard and sit out
some kms.
Right: “Are we there yet?”
Many options allow the
travelling cyclist to include
the littlies. Here, one mum tows a hidey tent trailer (a trail-a-bike), and the
helmeted tot is getting a map lesson.
Can’t get abroad? Why not hire this setup from a Coromandel bike shop
and bike our local trails?
Monett Johnston, an award winning travel agent, has owned Travel Options
United Travel in Whitianga for over 30 years. (Winner of Marketer of the Year
2013, Diploma in Unique experiences and this year, United Travel Agency of the
Year and Cruise Agency of the year.) See her or one of the knowledgeable team
to plan your cycle adventure or holiday – here or overseas. Travel is their passion!
56 Albert Street • Whitianga • Ph 07 866 5527
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