Haka tours NZ

[davee]

So my wife has said I can go to NZ to go riding leaving her at home with the kids for a week in January.

I was looking at doing a tour and came across this tour https://hakatours.com/new-zealand-mountain-bike-tours/north-island-one-week

Has anyone done this tour before?

 

[moorey]

No, but spoke to some guys on it while I was doing TransNZ. They found it a bit like a contiki tour on bikes. Were frustrated at the mixed levels or riders, and their lack of urgency to get riding after a night of socializing. I think it would be great if not too serious about a hardcore riding holiday.
That's my only knowledge, and its second hand, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[slowmick]

Bugger I was hoping to cash in my 40th Birthday present with them.

 

[moorey]

Bugger I was hoping to cash in my 40th Birthday present with them.

Don't take my advice.
They may even have different levels and interests catered for. My knowledge is totally inadequate, and I may have just met Haakon and co without knowing it.

 

[Dozer]

My mate T Man (some may know him as one of Queenstown Bike Taxi's drivers, MC for local events, all round legend) has his own gig called The Inside Line https://www.theinsideline.nz/ Please look into it, tell him Dozer sent you and you'll be totally sorted. A recent discussion said he'll tailor his trips to suit what you want to ride and where you want to ride. He's a rad dude, totally engrossed in the New Zealand lifestyle and knows how to make sure you have a good time.
Hit him up, he'll easily be the best solution.

 

[moorey]

My mate T Man (some may know him as one of Queenstown Bike Taxi's drivers, MC for local events, all round legend) has his own gig called The Inside Line https://www.theinsideline.nz/ Please look into it, tell him Dozer sent you and you'll be totally sorted. A recent discussion said he'll tailor his trips to suit what you want to ride and where you want to ride. He's a rad dude, totally engrossed in the New Zealand lifestyle and knows how to make sure you have a good time.
Hit him up, he'll easily be the best solution.

Is this a paid plug like the MTBDirect gear?

 

[Dozer]

Is this a paid plug like the MTBDirect gear?

Bowlo? Bermshot? Boom King? WorkMX?

He's a good friend and a really good tour guide, I wouldn't dream of suggesting another company for such a venture.

 

[moorey]

Bowlo? Bermshot? Boom King? WorkMX?

He's a good friend and a really good tour guide, I wouldn't dream of suggesting another company for such a venture.

Was asking on behalf of Boomking.... call your jets, big fella. I'm sure he is well Bonza. :israel:

 

[Mr Crudley]

They found it a bit like a contiki tour on bikes.

Whaaa, like getting tanked every night at different places and swapping genetic material with willing people in your group that you normally wouldn't want to swap said genetic code with in the first place.

 

[Shinigami]

No, but spoke to some guys on it while I was doing TransNZ. They found it a bit like a contiki tour on bikes. Were frustrated at the mixed levels or riders, and their lack of urgency to get riding after a night of socializing. I think it would be great if not too serious about a hardcore riding holiday.
That's my only knowledge, and its second hand, so take it with a grain of salt.

You did the transNZ ? How is it? I thought it looked like great fun just got to get more fit and the missus more comfortable in the bike

 

[moorey]

You did the transNZ ? How is it? I thought it looked like great fun just got to get more fit and the missus more comfortable in the bike

Twice. Fantastic. Need at least moderate fitness and skill, arguably I have neither, but still made it and loved it. Highly recommended.

 

[Boom King]

Was asking on behalf of Boomking.... call your jets, big fella. I'm sure he is well Bonza. :israel:

Thanks mate, much appreciated.

 

[davee]

Thanks for all the feedback.
Not really looking for anything too hardcore too unfit for that.
Dozer i will check that out but was more looking for riding on the north island.

 

[DMan]

Thanks for all the feedback.
Not really looking for anything too hardcore too unfit for that.
Dozer i will check that out but was more looking for riding on the north island.

Just go to Rotorua then and hit the bike park and Redwoods. They shuttle in the Redwoods too. There is also sweet trails in Taupo

 

[Nautonier]

Just go to Rotorua then and hit the bike park and Redwoods. They shuttle in the Redwoods too. There is also sweet trails in Taupo

+1, apart from Rotorua, the North Island really isn't anywhere near as spectacular as the South Island for riding. Unless you're into the social aspect, the package tour sounds a bit lame.

If you can make it to the South Island the ChCh bike park will have re-opened by then so you'll have a chair lift there, Gondolas in Queenstown and the bike taxis. You could get a shitload of riding in with almost zero pedalling and at less money than the tour if you go that way.

 

[dunndog]

No, but spoke to some guys on it while I was doing TransNZ. They found it a bit like a contiki tour on bikes. Were frustrated at the mixed levels or riders, and their lack of urgency to get riding after a night of socializing. I think it would be great if not too serious about a hardcore riding holiday.
That's my only knowledge, and its second hand, so take it with a grain of salt.

That's not second hand mate, it's from the horse's mouth!
i was lightly considering doing one of these last year as i too got the green light for a trip.. but the points mentioned here were the same concerns I had. Who knows who else would be in your group, age, eagerness, skill level etc? tour operators always say they'll do their best to bunch similar groups together, but if they only have 6 people booked.. you're all in together.
i ended up stumbling upon the TransNZ and did that instead. A mate ended up signing on with me, there were another group of guys we knew and Moorey also got to meet me so it was well worth it. atleast you can be sure of awesome riding, keen riders and amazing atmosphere (oh the pain!!)