Sue & bikes Oak Creek Steamboat Day 2 | Sue Clark
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We sat down with Adventure South NZ cycling guide Sue Clark. Sue has recently returned from a 6 day road cycling event through the Rockie Mountains in Colorado so we thought we'd catch up with her for a chat!
Sue's passion for cycling, combined with bubbly personality and 4 years guiding experience makes her the perfect fit for guiding Adventure South's NZ Road Cycle and NZ Cycle Trail trips. Hear why Sue loves cycling in New Zealand so much, and why you'll enjoy an active cycling adventure with Adventure South NZ.
How long have you been guiding for Adventure South NZ?
I have been a cycle guide for 4 years and guiding specifically for Adventure South NZ since 2017.
What do you like most about being a guide and working in the outdoors?
Guiding combines 3 of my life’s passions – cycling, spending time with interesting people from all walks of life and showing off the place I consider to be the most stunning country in the world.
Where was your most recent cycling adventure? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I recently spent a month exploring some top cycling destinations in the United States. My trip included 6 days taking part in an event called Ride the Rockies, a 6 day road cycling adventure covering 700kms and over 8000m climbing all over Colorado. I also managed to squeeze in some fantastic mountain biking in Colorado and Whistler and some time road biking near San Francisco and Seattle. All up I met some lovely people, gorged myself on some stunning cycling which in turn allowed me to also gorge myself on some great food - a very self-indulgent trip.
What do you love most about cycling in New Zealand?
Without doubt the variety of scenery en route, the top notch scones and coffee at the compulsory cafe stops and the award winning wines, craft beers, lamb and seafood that are to be enjoyed at the end of each day.
We may be relatively small in size but there’s everything here from stunning beaches, towering mountains, beautiful native bush, natural thermal areas, glaciers, milky rivers, rolling pastures – and all that in a country of only 4.5 million people so you never feel crowded out. Furthermore visitors don’t necessarily expect our cuisine to be memorable but it’s usually one of the highlights.
Why do you think traveller's should join an Adventure South NZ Cycling Trip?
I choose to work for Adventure South as a guide because the trips they put together tick all the boxes I look for on a cycling holiday. The routes are carefully planned, all in stunning locations, the chosen accommodations are good quality, the vehicles, rental bikes and trailers all in good order and the guides are all passionate, knowledgeable and go the extra mile to make the trips truly stand out experiences. I choose to work for Adventure South for all the reasons I think people should choose to holiday with Adventure South.
Road cyclists on the West Coast of NZ | Stef Woodward
View all of our fully supported NZ cycling itineraries here.