New Zealand is a truly beautiful country, with a short but intriguing history, stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and ancient forests. One of the best ways to explore this epic landscape is via a cycle trail. The New Zealand Cycle Trail is made up of 22 Great Rides, each with clearly mapped paths and even an app you can download to help guide you through them.

The Great Rides are of varied difficulties, from easy to very advanced. Some are great for families, others should only be attempted by fit experienced riders.

When considering cycling the cycle trails, joining a supported cycle tour is an excellent way to do this. A supported cycle tour will include a guide who will be with you along the trail, and a driver who will transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next. Generally your tour cost will include the cost of your guide, the driver and your accommodation. Meals may be extra.

If you are looking for a supported cycle tour in the South Island, Geoff and Lee Swift of South Island Tours NZ are the perfect guides. With more than 28 years of experience operating tours throughout the South Island of New Zealand, Geoff and Lee are passionate and experienced. Their cycle tours include more than the Great Rides cycle trails, they also explore private farms and stations, which you cannot do without permit.

South Island Tours NZ also offer the hire of bikes – including E Bikes which are a great option for less experienced or senior riders. These modern E bikes will help assist your cycling with an onboard motor and battery that will store the energy from your cycling and allow you to use this stored energy to assist your biking.

Some of the cycle tours offered by Geoff and Lee include

• Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Tour
• Nelson Great Tastes Trail Cycle Tour
• Molesworth & Spooners Tunnel Cycle Tour
• Otago Central Rail Trail Cycle Tour
• West Coast Wilderness Trail Cycle Tour

For more information visit https://www.southislandtoursnz.com