Kia Ora - Welcome to the New Zealand Pedaltours newsletter for September 2011!
Christchurch regeneration
Following the devastating earthquakes of the past year, a draft plan for the redevelopment of Christchurch has just been released.
Central Christchurch will be redeveloped as a low-rise, resilient, safe and sustainable city. It will be easy to get around, with a business-friendly compact central area, an array of inviting green spaces and plenty of activities to draw people into the Central City.
Highlights include
Avon River Park – the banks of the Avon River will be widened and celebrated as Christchurch’s new riverfront park with boardwalks and spaces inviting people down to the water’s edge. Avon River Park will be a pedestrian and cycle friendly area offering a continuous journey through the central City.
Compact CBD – shops and offices will be encouraged to re-locate into a smaller, defined and concentrated area.
Come and visit Christchurch on one of our Southern Alps tours.
Bali
Pippa and I spent the first two weeks of August in the tropical island of Bali, to see if it is a suitable destination for a bike tour. 
The answer is a resounding yes. Bali is a small (5,632 km2) tropical island with a wonderful diversity of scenery: superb beaches and volcanoes of over 10,000 ft.
It is home to amazing World Heritage rice terraces, an incredible range of crops, and very friendly people.
The population of c.4 million is predominantly Hindi; there are 20,000 temples on the island. Biking is a wonderful way to explore the island; as with all our trips, we have chosen very comfortable character lodges.
Come and join us next May (5 – 14 May 2012) for a wonderful vacation.
Victoria
Our Victoria Australia from 19 March - 04 April 2012 is now a guaranteed departure. We won't be having another Victoria trip for a while so do join us on this one.
Victoria has some lovely cycling routes including a unique day's riding entirely on a sealed rail trail though magnificent countryside around Bright. We also cycle the Great Ocean Road, where we see the Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations, and visit some of Victoria's famous wineries.
The price is AU$6,695 and includes accommodation in a vineyard lodge, character hotels and magnificent oceanside locations.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup has started in New Zealand and our cities are a sea of flags on houses, shops and cars as everyone shows their support for their favourite team. Here in Auckland support for the Tongan team has been nearly as visible as support for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. The Cup runs for six weeks, with the final held in Auckland on October 23. Find how to play rugby here.
Green Tourism Saves Rainforests
Is it irresponsible for tourists to fly long distances?
Air travel does emit significant CO2 with around 2-3% of total human activity carbon emissions in first world countries coming from air travel. Aircraft CO2 is also emitted into the higher atmosphere where it is less likely to be absorbed by plant growth.
For economies such as New Zealand, the counter argument is that Nature based tourism is a powerful reason for saving wild nature, particularly rainforests. Take away the tourism income, and many communities will revert to felling the forests to expand farming or plant palm oil plantations. Wetland drainage and rainforest destruction release vast quantities of carbon as CO2.
So you can fly to New Zealand with a clear conscience as you help save our rainforests!
Pedaltours News
In Pedaltours' news, I will be leading our India Rajasthan tour 25 October - 3 November. Come along and experience the real India as we leave the highways behind and cycle through villages where we will share the road with goats and camels, maybe even an elephant.
Alex Anderson had a wonderful time cycling in England and Wales. He started in the New Forest and used mainly quiet country roads through to Wales including banks of canals and cycle networks. He had such a good time he even wants to start Pedaltours trips there!
Lisa Mead from the office just cycled the length of the Danube River with her husband, following mostly bike paths, and they had a great time too.
Don't hesitate to contact Richard, Helen or Lisa in the Auckland office (info@pedaltours.co.nz) if you have any questions or if you would like us to arrange a Pedaltours holiday (or non-biking tour) in any of our destinations – New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, India or Bali.
I look forward to meeting you and biking with you in the coming months.
Richard and the Pedaltours Team
Voted 'One of fifteen trips (worldwide) that we love' Bicycling magazine Dec.'08
NZ Pedaltours Parnell, Auckland Ph: 64 9 585-1338 Tollfree from U S. 1 888 222 9187
PO Box 37-575 New Zealand Email: info@pedaltours.co.nz Tollfree from Canada: 1 877 804-9118
