01.07.2014

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

01.07.2014

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Sooner or later, that dream in your closet has to be pulled out and become a reality! For us, this was a trip to the “land of the long white cloud” (Aotearoa), as the Maori describe New Zealand.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Aotearoa is a far away land, directly opposite our Italian peninsula, and the perfect country for cyclotourism: excellent roads, respect for cyclists and a very low population density that means the roads linking the various localities have very little traffic.

Two months – one per island – were enough to get to know, at least in part, this land that is so distant from, yet so similar to, our own. Seas, mountains, glaciers, sun, as well as volcanoes, natural springs, lunar landscapes… all in just under 4,000 km of road, cycled one metre at a time.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Fairytale landscapes were followed by encounters with the local fauna, and this created the need for different lenses to capture the beauty of Aotearoa with our camera. By bicycle, one kilo more makes a big difference and can really slow you down, so it is always a difficult decision between travelling lighter or better equipped: in our case, it is nearly always the second option that wins the day! We prefer to go slower but carry at least one telephoto lens (70-300 mm is a good compromise between quality, price and weight) and a tripod, which lets us capture birds and land or sea mammals that we may come across during our trip on bicycle. However, you must find a balance between carrying a lens, your luggage weight and the high risk of knocks and damage. The best solution, in this case, is to use a protective lens case. As well as this, for further general safety, we put the case in with our heaviest clothing items, which act as padding.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Going back to our journey: we cycled through New Zealand from north to south, from Auckland, via Rotorua, in the beating heart of the northern island, past thermal springs and traditional Maori villages. We explored valleys formed just over a century ago by gigantic volcanic explosions, before finally reaching the capital city of Wellington. From there, we took the boat to the southern island, where we were welcomed and bewitched by the coastal landscapes of the Queen Charlotte Track and the Abel Tasman National Park.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

We wandered along the banks and shores of rivers, lakes and seas, admiring the ever changing landscapes. It was an amazing feeling to reach the steps that cross the Alps on the southern island, on our bikes beside the great Mount Cook, which stretches its frozen feet right down to the sea: the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on the western coast are simply stupendous.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

Penguins, dolphins, sperm whales… the marine life in New Zealand is varied and fascinating, just like the southern coastal landscapes: rugged cliffs, land shaped by atmospheric agents and the perfect light for taking great photographs.

The advantage of travelling by bicycle in the summer, for those who love photography, is that you can cycle during the day, when it’s not the best light, and reach your destination just as the radiant light of sundown washes over the landscape, warming it up and making it perfect for your camera; in the same way, you can delay your departure until after the dawn has tinged the image you were waiting for with pink.

Pedalling through Aotearoa: cycling in the Antipodes

New Zealand completely won us over with its perfect mix of scenic routes to cycle, difficult climbs, enjoyable downhill runs and breathtaking landscapes: what more could a lover of cyclotourism possibly wish for?!?

Leo and Vero

Leo and Vero are two tireless travellers who love to discover the world by bicycle. After ten months cycling through Southeast Asia, they returned to Italy, but still dedicate their every spare moment to cycling, travelling and photography. They have travelled far and wide but are convinced that the best journey is always the one they have yet to make… “Because travelling is to remember the past, live the present and dream of the future.”

Blog: www.lifeintravel.it
FB: www.facebook.com/lifeintravelita
Twitter: @viaggioinbici @lifeintravelita
Instagram: @viaggioinbici @lifeintravelita
G+: plus.google.com/+LifeintravelIt
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Leobici

Top
Our Brands