"Le Race" to the "Grape Ride Tour"
988km over 9 days
proposed tour, a draft itinerary
summary is,...
Friday March 19 – meet group in Picton ex 11.35 a.m.
ferry
- drive
to Kaikoura, lunch at The Store , Kekerengu
- cycle
the inland Kaikoura Road to Waiau, up to 85 kms
- drive
to Christchurch
- option
for participants to join (fly in) in Christchurch p.m.
- own
dinner & lunch
- accom –
Camelot Motor Lodge
Saturday
March 20 – Le Race – own arrangements < http://www.lerace.co.nz/
>
- accom –
Camelot Motor Lodge
- own
meals all day
Sunday March
21 – drive to Greta Valley, cycle to Hanmer – 103 kms
- included meals – Breakfast (B ) & Lunch (L)
- accom –
Alpine Motor Lodge
Monday March
22nd – cycle to Reefton over Lewis Pass – 141 kms (B,L)
- accom
Lantern Court Motels
Tuesday March
23rd – cycle to Punakaiki via SH6 – 125 kms (B)
Wednesday
March 24th – cycle to Murchison via Buller gorge – 123 kms
- accom –
Murchison Motels (B)
Thursday
March 25th – drive to Motueka
- cycle
Motueka to St Arnaud via Motueka valley, flat & then uphill – 109 kms
- accom
Alpine Lodge (B,L,Dinner)
Friday March
26th – cycle on downhill ride to Blenheim – 102 kms (B,L)
- included lunch at Winery
- accom
Blenheim Motel to be decided
Saturday
March 27th – The Grape Ride – own arrangements < http://www.graperide.co.nz/
>
Sunday March
28th – deliver riders to terminal by 9.00 a.m. for 10.00 a.m. Wellington ferry
(B)
- drive
to Kaikoura, own lunch at The Store , Kekerengu
- cycle
the inland Kaikoura Road to Waiau, up to 85 kms
- drive
to Christchurch & deliver to airport or local lodgings (not
included)
Provisional
price is NZD $2188 per person based on 8 > 14 pax.
- includes meals as indicated
- one Adv
Sth driver/guide
- 9
nights based on two per room/unit with private bathrooms
- single
supplement is NZD $536 (one per room)
- Note –
accommodation is of a higher standard than the proposed Gilbert tour based on
two per unit & including some very nice venues a.g. Punakaiki Resort.
- We
could downgrade lodging to reduce the price but my understanding is that you are
talking couples which does not work well in shared apartments or backpacker
style lodges. Please advise.
- non
riding participants can be accommodated with hikes & visits during the day
to local sights etc. based on the assumption that riders are strong &
independent
- vehicle
support is also an option for riders who want to cycle the best sections but not
all of the route
Note – the
tour price remains the same if riders do Picton > Picton or Christchurch >
Christchurch or Christchurch > Picton