THE GREAT SOUTHERN CYCLE ROUTE
Christchurch to Dunedin via quiet country roads
Inspired and created by Peter and Linda Seed from the USA
Peter and Linda came to New Zealand a number of years ago to settle in Dunedin for a couple of months each year. They sought out opportunities for a cycling holiday and were told to take the "tourist route" from Christchurch to Queenstown. They checked it out and hated it: some mountainous climbs, vicious winds and, most important of all, having to fight for their space on the road with camper vans, tour buses, logging trucks and other crazy drivers. Used to riding on quiet country roads in the US and Europe they thought that sort of riding had to be available in New Zealand they just had to find it.
After spending a number of summers in New Zealand driving and cycling the back roads of Canterbury and Coastal Otago "The Great Southern Cycle Route" was born. The result is a series of 11 booklets each with a days ride averaging approx 50km, detailed map, written directions, points of interest along the way, accommodation options etc, absolutely everything that you would need.
We were fortunate to have Peter and Linda as guests at Sefton Homestay Bed and Breakfast during this time and as fellow cyclists Trish and I took an interest in their project and are pleased to be able to help Peter and Linda make their dream a reality
Peter and Linda were ahead of their time. They have already created a stage of the proposed National Cycleway. All that needs to be done is some good signage and publicity and John Key can stamp this section "done"
Be our guest and download the below pdf's, each one being a day in the Great Southern Cycle Route. If you require a better quality we have the sets of booklets for sale at a modest price.
Most of all we would like hear your comments about Peter and Linda's Great Southern Cycle Route so drop me an email on john@seftonhomestay.co.nz
Deals for 2 Wheels
As keen cyclists we really admire you "Cycle Tourists" and would like to offer you a great deal. Arrive on the day (on your bike of course) and if we have vacancies the double price will be $110.00 and Single $100 per night.
Just so Motor Bikers don't feel left out we will include you in this deal as well. If you don't want to risk missing out reserve your room in advance through our booking manager. $125.00 double $110.00 single.
Cycling and Cycle Tourism
In the past 3 years John has found cycling, first of all it was mountain biking and now he has added road cycling discovering what a wonderful area South Canterbury is for both forms of the sport. Trish now also has a road bike and is enjoying exploring the back roads of South Canterbury and the various coffee stops along the way.
Mountain Biking
Timaru has some wonderful bike tracks that take you through parks, along streams, reserves, the coastline and cliffs overlooking the sea. It's a great way to see Timaru. As well, we have miles and miles of single tracks in our "Scenic Reserve"
Mountain Bike Races
For the competitive mountain biker we have a number of great events held in our area. The "iconic" ones being:
- Run 79 Lake Tekapo MTB Race : held on the first Saturday of June, is 90 km long and circumnavigates Lake Tekapo in the middle of winter. The scenery is fantastic but the water is very cold.
Website: www.mtbpursuits.com
John fording the Godley river 2007
- The Pass to Pub:held in March every year is a 36km race cross country from Burkes Pass to Albury. It is a great day out, not difficult and normally about 800 cyclists give it a go.
Chris Thomas of Special Events is the organizer and does a great job
Website: www.pass2pub.com
Road Cycling
The Timaru area has miles of quiet country roads with small country towns for the essential coffee stops which makes it ideal for leisurely road cycling. John has taken up competitive cycling and joined the St Andrews Club. (View club website at
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~pjs) this year. They run races during the summer and John has even managed to win a Saturday handicap race (picture)
Cycle Tourism
Last year Americans, Peter and Linda Seed stayed with us. He was planning a cycle tour from Christchurch to Dunedin using the back roads. He has called this tour the Great Southern Cycle Route. It is for the independent tourist/cyclist and consists of a series of 11 conveniently sized booklets, each one being a day's trip and includes a map and useful information about what to see, a bit of history and where to stay etc This has now been completed and is available for sale at Cycle Surgery Stores (www.cyclesurgery.co.nz) or contact us for more information.
Cycling for Charity
During February this year (2008) John completed the Central South Island Charity Bike Ride. This is a 3 day, 360km ride starting in Timaru. It takes in some of the best scenery in New Zealand. First night is in Kurow in the Waitaki Valley, next day up to Omarama, Twizel for lunch and then on to Balmoral Military Camp for the night. Next day through Lake Tekapo and Fairle townships back to Timaru.
Sefton Homestay B&B was a major sponsor and along with 161 sponsored riders we managed to raise $125,000 for local charities. Check out their website on www.csicbikeride.co.nz. Trish has entered the 2009 event.
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Trish and John Blunden
32 Sefton St, Timaru, New Zealand * Phone +64 3 688-0017 * Fax +64 3 688-0042
Email: trish@seftonhomestay.co.nz
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© Copyright 2003-2009 Trish and John Blunden
Last Updated 14 Oct 2009
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