Tour Aotearoa

Suggested master list of bike baggage, clothing, camping stuff and navigation nic nacs to blast through your Tour Aotearoa.

'Your' TA may be as fast as 10 days, as luxurious as the thirty day maximum, or anything in between.

Some 'in the beginning' navel gazing helps to resolve decisions on bike, gear, training and attitude.

The Tour Aotearoa invites endless excuses to indulge in a new bike plus screes of hi-tech gear and clothing to enhance your tip-to-tail adventure.

Training for most involves some long distance training rides mixed with a 'slow-start' strategy - gaining fitness as you progress down the country.

3000 kilometres on your bike, plus the training miles, burns plenty of calories. You'll often be forced 'to eat what's available when you can'.

Cycling the length of Aotearoa is tough on your body, and your bike. It’s important to have the tools, spare parts and skills to be self-sufficient.

The chances of getting lost on the TA are pretty remote, but it is easy to miss a critical turn off.  Here are a few tips from those who have been lost before.

Your body needs to be well prepared and well maintained to withstand accumulated wear 'n' tear or survivea perfectly executed over-the-handlebars lawn dart.

The TA can easily overwhelm your mojo. Some tricks both 'in training' and 'in anger' can help keep your objectives in perspective.

I’m a huge fan of badly sung music - at the end of a long day with the prospect of a soggy bivy and soggier chips your only reward.