Check out our latest sale discounts - save on bikepacking bikes and gear.
Delegate that tough decision with a Good Rotations gift card. Choose from several denominations, depending how much they deserve it :-)
Check out our latest sale discounts - save on bikepacking bikes and gear.
Delegate that tough decision with a Good Rotations gift card. Choose from several denominations, depending how much they deserve it :-)
Our brands
We've put together a selection from some of the best bikepacking brands available. Whether you're day-tripping, overnighting or pedalling the world - here's your gear list.
Gravel Riding
Escape the tar seal - gear & bikes for riding light and fast
Day Missions
The essentials for long and short forays tackled in a single day
Brevet & Ultra
Gear for riding and racing brevets and ultras – fast, far and light
April 26, 2017
A grunt of a climb delivers a sublime bikepacking overnight mission
Area: Central Otago
Time: 1 or 2 days
Distance: 102 kms loop from Wanaka
This loop provides a great 2-day escape that feels remote and wild, but can be ridden from, and returning to Wanaka for provisions. There are some great places to overnight en route, and grand mountain vistas all the way. The stripped landscape belies the harsh extremes of weather that can be encountered up here at any time of year. Take a GPS – if the cloud comes down navigation can become difficult and there is no shelter to speak of beyond the occasional stark rocky tor.
It’s a rad place to adventure by bike!
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Escaping the industrial scale scarification of the landscape of the proving grounds, for the fine open expanse of the Pisa tops
Great huts to doss down for the night
Taking a bite next to lake McKay
The long downhill to Queensbury
The road to Snow Farm is a privately managed road (but freely accessed), open to bikes year round. If you’re driving up you’ll need to pay the road toll at the office at the top.
There is an official easement through the PHPG (Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds) but it is notoriously clunky to access – you’ll feel that you shouldn’t be there, although you are allowed to access that way. Outside of winter it’s nicer anyway to take the DOC marked ski touring access route (right of the Snow Farm base building – look for the orange poles), and follow this down to the Hidden Valley track (true right of the Kirtle Burn). Hop onto the cross country ski track nearest the stream. This takes you past Meadow Hut (where you can stay – check with Snow Farm) and on your way to Kirtle Burn hut and the tops.
Egress off the tops is past Lake McKay and down through the Queensbury subdivision (marked).
If you’re riding the full loop, stock up in Wanaka. You can get great pub food at Cardrona and Luggate pubs.
Several options are available:
Meadow Hut
Snow Farm hut, usually open – check in with Snow Farm for booking/payment – $35 per adult/night
Kirtle Burn Hut
DOC, Category: Standard, $ 5 per adult/night
Camping in the conservation area – it’s a big open expanse up there and reasonably flat spots abound, just beware of bad weather as you might get blown off the hill. The only shelter to be found is the occasional rocky tor.
Accommodation is also available in Cardrona (pub), and Luggate (camping).
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Our store is taking a seasonal break, so you won’t be able to add items to your cart. However, if you urgently need dynamo wheels and lights, or bikepacking bags, get in touch and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Have a fantastic winter!
Good Rotations is an independent online bikepacking and adventure cycling store.
If you are looking for a complete brevet or expedition setup, advice on gear, or help with finding the right bikepacking bag or dynamo system, we're here to assist.
Get in touch: hello@goodrotations.co