Cycling NZ

Hello out there,
wanna return (!) to new zealand for a couple of months – probably four (09 – 12 / 2017) where i spent already some time with the love of my life …
wanna ask you guyz several questions – cause i lost lot of my power in pre-organizing stuff … i just want to make a trip with the least effort possible :-)

any tipps where i can borrow a bicycle in Auckland with a good combination of price/quality for long term? Or also buy uses ones able to use them for couple of months?

also looking for used (!) water-proof (!!) cycling bags?

and – please give me another answer – remembering i think it is easy and allowed to camp country-wide, correct?

last but not least – of course i would be glad about tipps bout nice places/people where one can stop over for a night easy just to rest and maybe take a quick shower?

So – thank you so much in advance – enjoy every hour of your dayzs :-)
Best wishes from good old little tiny austria,
Ce

No, you can't just camp country-wide. Some places only allow camping if you are in a fully self contained vehicle. Farmers might run you off if they think you're doing the wrong thing. Any camp ground might let you rest and have a quick shower if you pay for a tent site.

Hi chri

I'm not sure where you could "borrow a bike" - perhaps if know some people here in NZ, they might be able to lend / borrow you a bike suitable for touring in NZ.

Check out Trademe for cheaper 2nd hand deals on bikes and associated touring gear. Quiet often folks who are done touring in NZ will list all of their gear for sale before they leave. That could be a option worth investigating. http://www.trademe.co.nz/

As for wild / free camping - many do it and it is a roll of the dice. There is no harm in knocking on the land owners door and asking if you can pitch a tent for the night. Explain your circumstances, promise to clean up and leave no trace and you'll be surprised with some good kiwi hospitality. Otherwise, wait until dusk, be covert and be up and gone when the sun comes up - good luck with that.

Here is a nice site for you to help with some basics of touring in NZ and some GREAT route options if you need some assistance. http://www.cycletour.org.nz/

Join up to Warmshowers site and you will find other cycle tourists who are willing to let you camp on their land, take a warm shower (obviously), let you re-charge devices, feed you and help you out.
https://www.warmshowers.org/

There is also couchsurfing - https://www.couchsurfing.com/

Hope that helps.

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