@Criggie now is probably not the time to do the north-from-chch circuit, but it can be very nice in the early spring or autumn. Avoid the heat, but crank up thru Rainbow station, wairau valley, the sounds, then pelorus drive, maungatapu, lewis and back. Or Molesworth if you're into another station-pass track. I personally don't really enjoy the east coast road so have only ridden it once. But that loop is a nice couple of weeks if you take your time.

The buller is also nice, but you have a 99% chance of three days of rain up the west coast (the s in west is silent :).

Normally it doesn't stop raining until Inangahua. So to top Arthurs, run downhill and it starts raining, then some time later ... sunny Murchison.

The Otago Rail Trail is really nice. Probably too busy for the next month, but if your kid can drive you could two-bike-one-car your way along that and it's all nice and easy.

Personally the bit I liked was the penguins at the end, but I think for people who don't ride a lot and have mountain bikes with no much gear the rail trail would be neat.

not with Kaikoura out, and masses of traffic on the inland routes.

(never trust recommendations from someone who says "I wouldn't do this, but you should" .. I dunno whether that's a good saying or an idiot's aphorism)

-grin- I can't do overnights, family stuff.

can't be away overnight

@Criggie that makes it hard.

not since the quakes.

I should drive somewhere, then bike around, then drive home. That would simplify things

@Criggie yeah, I kinda thought about the Buller side, but you still have to get home and the stretch from Hanmer to Chch is going to be a nightmare on a bike.

almost got the car back on the road.

@Criggie you can do quite a lot of that from Chch. There are some nice day rides all along the base of the alps.

yah - chch/rangiora/oxford/waimak/christchurch is great if a norwester kicks up when you're at the turn.

141 km I think.

All these cold weather questions are hitting.

It's like going to a January race in the lower 48 and watching all the monkees hump the football.

It's sometimes hard to remember that it has taken me years to get here. Here being a place where riding at -30F is comprtable.

heh its 25 C outside now

somewhat sweaty riding times

it was -30F here this weekend, High was like -20F a couple days :)

I dunno. most people around here are boo hoo its cold. Its nice out though, 32 F.

I'd like to ride my bike, but my helmet needs a new clip