Tour Aotearoa – North Island

Tour Aotearoa – North Island takes riders the length of the North Island, from the Cape Reinga lighthouse to Wellington's harbourfront, over 14 days of riding and 1,400 km. The route strings together five of New Zealand's 23 "Great Rides", including the Hauraki Rail Trail, Waikato River Trail, Timber Trail, sections of Mountains to Sea and the Remutaka Rail Trail, alongside Ninety Mile Beach, ancient kauri forest and a Kaipara Harbour ferry crossing.

Terrain mixes sealed road, cycle trail, gravel and beach or forest single track, with a rest day in Whanganui after the Whanganui National Park stage. Nights are spent in a rotating mix of hotels, holiday cabins and lodges, with most meals covered.

They cap the tour at eight riders and provide one guide/driver plus a support vehicle, though it can't reach every section of trail.

Highlights:

• Ride Ninety Mile Beach and visit Tāne Mahuta in the ancient Waipoua Forest
• Cross Kaipara Harbour by ferry from Pouto Point to Helensville
• Link three Great Rides in succession: Hauraki Rail Trail, Waikato River Trail and Timber Trail
• Climb the Kaiwhakauka Track to the Bridge to Nowhere, then jet boat down the Whanganui River
• Finish over the Remutaka Rail Trail and into Wellington via the new Te Ara Tupua coastal path

Surface and terrain:
Roughly 35% sealed road, 30% cycle trail and 25% gravel, the rest beach or forest single track. Terrain is variable with an average riding speed near 15 km/h. Some days involve 1,500–2,000 m of climbing and descending. Hardtail/full-suspension MTB, gravel or touring bikes with wide tyres suit best.

Suitable for:
Seasoned cyclists capable of around 100 km/day over varied, often off-road terrain, comfortable with gravel, single track and sustained climbing.