Hey Paul and Kim,
I just got back to the States and I wanted to shoot you a quick email to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the cycling tour you planned for me, and wanted to thank you for the planning a preparation that went into making that trip so great.  It was truly one of the best cycling experiences of my life!

Thanks again,
Gardner Burg

"My time in New Zealand was fantastic, due in significant part to the extraordinary bicycling trip you designed. The itinerary was perfect..."
William

Hi Paul am back in Oz having had a wonderful time in NZ. The bike and the service you provided were great and would not hesitate to recommend or use you again when I next visit
Cheers Deb

"Paul, now back in Sydney after a very enjoyable cycling tour from Christchurch to Queenstown. Please accept my thanks for an exceptionally well prepared tour. The quality of documentation was outstanding and it provided for every need both on the road and at each of the waypoints at day's end.

"The bike and associated gear performed perfectly - the bike in particular was very well prepared. The nightly accommodation was excellent and the hosts more than friendly - such hospitality really reflect well on the character of all New Zealanders. Thanks again for organising a most enjoyable and memorable tour. Well done."
Alan

"Anyone planning a cycle tour of NZ (particularly the South Island) should check out some of the options at www.cyclehire.co.nz"
Lonely Planet (2006 'New Zealand' Edition)

"Just a quick note to say thankyou for such a successful trip. We had a great time. You will be pleased to know NO cheating and NO casualties! Your equipment was superb, directions spot on and we really appreciate you putting that all together for us.
Accomodation great, well placed and we enjoyed meeting some interesting people who were very generous and kindly opened their homes to us. That blew me away almost as much as the scenery (!)"
Jacqui and Sean

"Just to let you know that we arrived home safely. We really enjoyed our trip - your organisation was excellent and each day was a challenge to achieve. All the accomodation was fabulous - each was different but great. It was so important for us to have a comfortable and friendly place to stay each night. The farmstay at Tarras was wonderful. Adrienne and Trevor were just wonderful and took us on an evening tour of Christchurch on our last night. They are really special people. Thanks again for everything. Regards"
Benny and Judy

"We really had the most fabulous time and I want to thank you both - having such good quality bikes and panniers, plus lights, cycle computer, maps and detailed daily ride guides made the whole trip so really enjoyable and so smooth and easy. And the B&B choices were great - each so different but all a very good standard of accommodation and all very bike friendly!"
Caroline

"The tour went great, the distances were about right - each day was a challenge but not too tough. The vouchers worked really well, it was really convenient not having to worry about whether a particular B&B would accept a credit card or cash was needed...I would like to return to tour the southern part of the South Island, hopefully next winter"
Don

"I had really good time for that trip... all places that I stayed at were very great..."
Mitsuru

Thanks so much. I thought the route was beautiful and so were the accommodations in and around governor's bay. Best wishes.
Rob

"Awesome, we can't wait to get back and try another tour... Thanks Paul"
Steve and Sarah

"Thanks so much for the trip, which was wonderful. The bike was great, only problem was a puncture on the final day at mapua, when i went in for coffee and came out to find a nail thru the back tyre. Everything was well organised, all the B&B,s were great, very helpful, especially Adrienne and Trevor, who are absolute angels, no doubt. ...Could go on at length, but anyway, thanx again, and if i get the chance i'll be back"
John

"I´m back in my country and still dreaming of the nice trip. ...So I wanted to thank you and Kim for the good organisation of the tour, which gave me security, which I didn´t have at the beginning of my trip."
Oliver

" I want to thank all of u for a wonderful trip. i had a tough time getting back into work today. i love your country. paul - thank you for being so organized, i felt like u were with me every day! i wish i had u plan the second week for me."
Carter

"This was the best cycling holiday!
The bikes were Mongoose Rockadiles with 27 gears, perfect for cruising and beautifully maintained in excellent mechanical condition. Tools, repair kits, trip notes, contact details and maps were supplied and even the bus trip on our rest day was booked and included in the price. All the accommodation was spotlessly clean and private, with friendly but not at all intrusive hosts who made us feel very welcome. We were often upgraded or given the best room in the bed and breakfasts."
Caroline Australian Cyclist

Paul, thanks much for a great trip the bikes were great and the scenery fantastic.
Ben

I had a very nice tour of the Banks Peninsula. The bike performed very well, the bed and breakfasts were all very warm, the food was good, and the people I met along the way very hospitable. I look forward to returning someday again to NZ.
Keith

Extract from "On holiday without my bike" 'Cycle' Magazine April/May 2007 page 40
Kevin Mayne, Director CTC- the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation

Bike borrowing lesson 3: Cycle tourists make the best bike hire operators.

The internet has changed everything when it comes to research, and the recognition of cyclists as a market in many countries has introduced competition and quality to the market. In particular I have found that companies or groups who provide their own bikes for organised tours as well as daily hire really understand that a poor bike can ruin a holiday.

The Spanish hire I mentioned above was a good example, but by far the best I have found was New Zealand where after some Googling I was able to have four companies haggling price and specification. On this occasion I was determined to get a quality product. This was to be a special experience for my 14 year old and I wanted road touring bikes for a one way tour of seven days.

Paul Kelly at Independent Cycle Tours eventually won out because he got us new Mongoose Randoneer touring bikes, equipped with 24 speed Shimano Deore and Sora. The bikes had dropped bars and had front & rear fitted racks. Maps, repair kit, lights, locks, spare tubes, cycle computer, reflective safety vest, spare spokes, chain links were also included. Cycle helmets are compulsory in NZ so we hired those too. Price for the week was about £100 per bike plus £20 for them to be picked up at the end.

We had an amazing week and then we were able to join the family gathering for Christmas smug and satisfied that we had a set of experiences that were uniquely ours. If we hadn’t been cycling we wouldn’t have stopped a remote beach and watched dolphins surfing in the waves. If we hadn’t climbed the Haast Pass under our own power swimming at the Wilderness Lodge while looking up at snow-capped mountains would not have felt as sweet.

New Zealand Travel Professionals Top 5 Winner's Collection- Bicycle Touring