Even though we know our trips and the riding here in the North Island speak for themselves, we know there’s probably a few things you need covered off in your head before you throw it all down and get on the plane to join us. So before you commit to embarking on the best guided biking adventure in New Zealand, we’ll address some of the most common queries we get, and hopefully it’ll help convince you to join us.If there’s something we haven’t answered here, give us a call – you’ll talk to a real person who’s just as keen on biking as you are, and they’re not in an offshore call centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I GET TO NEW ZEALAND?
If you’re traveling from Australia there are regular direct flights to Auckland from Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. From North America, there are direct flights to Auckland from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Vancouver.
When you book your flights, all you need to do is add on the very short domestic flight to Rotorua where we’ll meet you.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN A GROUP?
We like to keep things small and personal, so you can expect there to be around 6 people who will be riding with you on a trip, with a maximum of 12.
HOW WILL WE GET AROUND ON THE TRIP?
We have our own comfortable van and custom built lockable trailer for bikes and luggage.
HOW LONG ARE THE RIDES?
Generally, you’ll find yourself riding for 3-4 hours per day. Some days are a little longer or shorter, and if you find yourself not keen to ride on one of the trip days that’s no problem! On our grade 4 “Hero Dirt” trip, some of the rides are longer than 4 hours.
HOW MUCH CLIMBING IS THERE?
You’ll find the climbs and descents for each ride in each trip itinerary page. Check out all our trips here.
How do I book a trip?
It’s super simple to book a trip with us. Just pick up the phone and call us, or fill in the “hold a space” form on the trip page. We’ll give you a call back, get a few details from you and then sign you up via a personalised booking page. Then all you have to do is let us take care of the rest. The only thing you’ll need to arrange is your flights, and we’ll help point you in the right direction for that too. All of our contact details are here.
How can I get some New Zealand Dollars?
You can change any currency on arrival at Auckland airport, and there are ATMs readily available in loads of places where we visit.
WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIFIC DIETARY NEED?
No worries! We can cater for any dietary requirement so just let us know and we’ll ensure you eat well throughout the whole trip.
WHAT ARE THE TRAILS LIKE IN CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND?
The central North Island of New Zealand is home to well draining volcanic soil that holds together almost better than anywhere in the world. The soil in this area has a deep top layer that holds together in all manner of weather conditions and generally allowing for flowy conditions. This makes it ideal for riding any time of year.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP?
Pretty much everything. If you’re keen to come on a riding trip, the last thing you need to worry about is having to keep digging into your pocket for extra stuff. So we’ve included the whole nine yards – riding, lodging, great food, a couple of cold ones at the end of a ride, transport and all the guiding. If you don’t want to bring your bike, we’ve got that covered as well. Ask us for more information.
What kind of bikes do you have?
We have the choice of Zerode, Trek, Giant, Yeti, and Specialized bikes available. We can cater for any size bike required. We work with many of the local bike shops to get you the right bike to hire for your mountain bike tour.
WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE ON A TRIP?
You’ll eat like a champion on a New Zealand Mountain Biking trip. Hearty, healthy food is important at the end of a days riding, but more to the point, life is too short to not eat well, so we make sure you’ll eat great food and have plenty of it.
What happens if I break my bike on a trip?
Being a bunch of bike nerds, our guide team are pretty good at fixing a range of issues quite quickly, whether it’s on trail, or at the end of a day. We also carry a comprehensive tool kit while we’re out riding. For anything major, we’ve got a great thing going with some bike shops who can generally get things fixed quick smart.
DO I NEED A VISA TO ENTER NEW ZEALAND?
If you’re traveling on an Australian, US, Canadian or UK passport, you’ll be granted 90 days on entry to New Zealand and you won’t need to apply for visa beforehand. For other countries, check the New Zealand immigration website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/visit
Will Wifi be available on my trip?
Wifi is available everywhere we stay on our trips, even on the Timber Trail. We get into some proper backcountry areas while we’re riding, so you can expect there to be no internet while we’re out riding.
Where do I fly in and out of to begin my trip?
You’ll need to fly in and out of Rotorua, which is where we’ll meet you, and drop you off again at the airport. When you reserve your international flights, it’s easy to add on the short domestic flight (30 minutes) to Rotorua.
Where will I stay on my trip?
We stay at locally owned lodges, and small hotels that are specifically bike friendly, super comfortable, and are relaxing places to stay after a days riding. We’ve developed great relationships with our accommodation partners, so they know about the big and little things that round off perfect days riding. Ask us for more specifics about our accommodations if you need to know more. Here is one of the places that you could be staying.
Safety and T's & C's
We are very delighted that you are thinking to come mountain biking with us. Safety is of upmost importance to us so that you have a great time and go home in one piece! We also believe that you should be fully aware of the risks that mountain biking presents and that you are completely aware of what is involved in a mountain biking trip. Here is a link to our Risk Disclosure & Terms and Conditions.