FRANCE VS. NEW ZEALAND
THE "ULTIMATE CYCLING DESTINATION"
We really enjoyed cycling in France and had been asked many times, "but have you biked New Zealand?". We had to find out for ourselves….so we biked New Zealand and this is what we thought.
1. ROADS: France's incredible road system that allows cyclists to wander everywhere on quiet roads is tough to beat. NZ's South Island's roads are generally quiet (low population density) but choices are limited. Trucks, tourists, buses and cyclists all share the same roads. France scores 2 points.
2. LANDSCAPE: France has a surprising variety of scenery from the Alps to the seaside of Brittany, the most forest in Europe and beautiful pastoral country throughout. French cows are friendly too! However, the beauty of the NZ South Island, from the southern Alps to the stunning beaches (without development) and smiling cows and sheep thrown in for good measure make NZ's "pure nature" a winner. New Zealand scores 1 point.
3. CAMPGROUNDS & HOSTELS: France has the most economical and nicest campgrounds of Europe. NZ has possibly the best campground network in the world. the NZ hostel network is excellent too! No "presto" or tepid showers in NZ. New Zealand scores 2 points.
4. PEOPLE: The French are amongst the friendliest in Europe and touring cyclists get special treatment. Kiwis are wonderfully friendly and helpful. New Zealand scores 1 point.
5. VILLAGES/TOWNS/CULTURE: New Zealand has nice enough villages and cities but they cannot compare with the charm of French villages or with the history, museums or its incredible depth. France scores 2 points.
6. WEATHER: New Zealand has a greener, more lush (wetter) environment than France. Its temperatures are more moderate and it has a somewhat dependable mid to late summer. France has a more dependable and warmer summer but a shorter cycling season. A draw.
7. AFFORDABILITY: Currencies fluctuate in value, but we spent more-or-less the same in NZ and France on a daily basis. However, we got more for our money in NZ (better campgrounds, more nights under a roof, more meat in our diet, more extras). We were less careful with our money in NZ than in France. New Zealand scores 1 point.
8. FOOD AND BEVERAGES: New Zealand has good supermarkets, nice meat, decent cheese and bread, and plenty of fresh milk. Vegetables and fruit are good and inexpensive. NZ wines, especially whites, are very nice, though more expensive than French wines. A nice range of beers, especially smaller breweries, are available in NZ. On the other hand, French supermarkets are very good, then there are the cheeses, breads, paté, lettuce…inexpensive wines…overpriced beer (but who cares when there is good wine?). NZ has an improving restaurant scene but nowhere is food and wine so important as in France. France scores 2 points.
THE TALLY IS FRANCE 6, NEW ZEALAND 5
They are both excellent cycling destinations. New Zealand might seem more attractive to Europeans with its draw of nature while North Americans are enchanted by the charm of historic France. But why quibble…cycle both of them!