New Zealand: Bikepacking Bliss

Bike packing through New Zealand is worth taking your time over, as friend of SCOR, Nick Weighall, found out.

New Zealand’s South Island – epic mountains, rugged coastline and endless adventures. Eager to get amongst it all, I loaded up my SCOR 2030 GX with everything I needed to be self-sufficient and rode into the unknown.

The first leg of my adventure began with a road slog out of Christchurch, which had me questioning myself. But, as I approached the St. James Trail, I knew I was on the right track. This was my introduction to Kiwi magic.

Lush valleys, towering forests and crystal-clear lakes – it was like riding into a postcard. Camping under the stars each night sealed the deal. After a couple of days soaking it all in, the call of the unknown pulled me onwards. As I cruised down the Rainbow Road, all my initial doubts had disappeared.

Nelson, a haven for mountain bikers, became my next basecamp. Advice from a bike shop and local riders pointed me towards The Gorge Bike Park. This network of old-school singletrack, with thousands of meters of descending, pushed my limits. Ride to survive, I was told. They weren't kidding!

The highlight of the trip was four days and 51 miles spent on The Old Ghost Road, a trail of singletrack descents, technical climbs and jaw-dropping vistas. The Department of Conservation huts along the trail were well-stocked with supplies and provided plenty of opportunities to swap stories with fellow adventurers, making them a welcome sight each night.

Trails aside, what made this trip so memorable was the kindness of strangers, the thrill of discovery and the moments that came when I was present in the now and open to what it had to offer.

When traveling, the temptation is to do too much. Once I decided to experience things at a slower pace, the magic happened. I wasn’t rushing from one destination to another, instead I was taking my time to enjoy each day. Sure, I didn’t see everything New Zealand has to offer, but that wasn’t my goal.

My advice on crafting your own adventure is to be flexible, embrace the unknown and chat with the locals. And choose the right tool for the job! My SCOR 2030 handled everything from loaded touring to heart-pounding descents. The perfect travel companion.

Equipment Used

  • SCOR 2030 GX
  • Maxxis Minion tires
  • Aeroe Spider rear rack with 12L dry-bags
  • Aeroe Spider Handlebar Cradle with 8L dry-bag
  • Platypus Quickdraw water filter
  • Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30 sleeping bag
  • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 tent
  • Snacks!

SCOR 2030 GX

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