Bicycle Network Victoria: Great Escapade New Zealand

Latest bike transport news

Book bike transport till Monday 16 January

The date in which you can book international bike transport has changed to Monday 16 January due to the below bike drop off dates. This is to ensure your bike arrives in New Zealand in time for the event. If you require an alternative method of transport for your bike. Please call us on 1800 639 634 for assistance.

Depot Locations and Dates for bike transport.

Victoria - 11 Hawthorn Ave, Sunshine North. Drop off dates 18/1 to 20/1 between 10am and 5pm or 21.1.2012 between 10am and 1pm.
New South Wales - ABC Couriers, 94 Asquith St, Silverwater. Drop off dates 18/1 or 20/1 between 8am and 4pm.
Queensland - Queensland Parcel Express, 20/404 Nudgee Rd, Hendra. Drop off dates 16/1 to 20/1 between 7am and 6pm.
South Australia - 30-36 Birralee Rd, Regency Park. Anytime until the 18/1 with consignment note clearly labelled on bike box.
Tasmania - Pick up from nominated address by private courier.
Western Australia - Jay De Transport, 31 Carolyn Way, Forrestfield. Drop off dates 13/1, 16/1 or 17/1 between 8am and 4.30pm.
ACT - Innanio Transport, 30 Sawmill Circuit, Hume. Drop off date 21/1 or 23/1 between 9am and 4pm.

Have you booked bike transport?

Yes, then you should receive before Christmas an email with all the details for your bike drop off and packing. You will need to let us know immediately if  you have any issues with these dates or details.

Can I bring my own bike?

Of course, you do not have to ship your bike with us. Something you may not know is that New Zealand has extremely strict quarantine laws. Therefore if you intend to travel with your bike please make sure you are fully aware of all quarantine and customs requirements.

When does my bike have to be sent and how does it get home?

Your fully packed bike box needs to be delivered our nominated depot in each state by Friday 20 January 2012 (please see your individual email for full details). It will then be available for collection at the preride campsite in Gisborne from 9am Friday 17 February.

In terms of your own planning, please remember there is no obligation to book a return trip for your bike. You may want to either arrive before the ride or stay afterwards and have the use of your bike for your own touring (eg you may want to let us get your bicycle to Gisborne but not home from Taupo as you go on a further adventure).

At the end of the ride in Taupo you will be able to thoroughly clean you bike (we are currently talking with a local community group who may do this for you for a small donation) and place it back in your bike box. It will then be transported back to your capital city for collection approximately four weeks after the ride.

The reasons for the long time lines are international shipping does not run on definite set timelines, and as such we need to account for this uncertainty. Also the process of clearing Customs and Quarantine can take a while. Additionally, all this can be complicated by external factors on the wharves in both countries.

We want to ensure that the container with your bikes arrives in time for the start of the ride, and having a longer lead time helps to ensure that we can.

Quarantine and Customs requirements

To guarantee that your bike is allowed into NZ you  have to ensure that it is spotlessly clean. There can be no trace of oil, dirt, grass, mud or other organic matter on any of your equipment or luggage. You will need to spend time thoroughly cleaning your bike to prepare it for transportation.

You should clean off any visible dirt or mud or oil from your frame and wheels and other parts of your bike. A few main areas that you will need to pay particular attention to:

• Tyres – check in the gaps in your tread and make sure that there is nothing there. Most Quarantine agents will look at the tyres first and foremost. If they are spotlessly clean then often they will be satisfied that you have competently cleaned your whole bike.
• Under the crown of your fork – check if you have a hollow section that goes up into the frame of your bike, this may have accumulated dirt and mud in it, particularly if you have a suspension fork.
• Under your saddle – make sure that you clean under your saddle as a lot of mud and road scum flicks up here from your rear wheel.
• Riding accessories (although only your helmet can go in your box-SEE BELOW) – Don’t forget your other essential riding kit, in particular shoes and helmet. Make sure you give these a good clean and remove any evidence of dirt, just like with your bike. If you ride with a hydration pack or saddle bag then make sure that these are properly clean also!

When they arrive in Melbourne prior to international shipping all bike boxes will be opened for inspection, any bike that is not clean to the standard required will be removed and cleaned- You will be charged for this service.

What can go in your bike box

It is very important that only your bike goes into your bike box. The only other items that are allowed to be packed in there are your helmet.
Luggage items that are packed in bike boxes will be returned to you at your expense.

Things that cannot go in your bike box include (but are not limited to):

• Pannier bags
• Clothing of any kind.
• Shoes, cycling or other.
• Tools
• Anything pressurised (aerosol cans, co2 canisters, spray lubricants, deodorants)

The maximum size that your bike box can be are 140 x 70 x 30cm, and the absolute maximum weight can be 20kg. They are easily sourced from any bike shop for free. Please note we will not have boxes available for this ride.

Conditions of bike transport

• Bikes will be transported from one central depot in capital cities Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, Darwin and Adelaide only (and back!)
• Bike must be boxed for transport – you can get a box from your local bike shop, and if you are uncertain of how to go about it they will be able to assist for a small fee.
• It is the rider's responsibility to get the bike to the designated drop off/pick up locations at the allocated time on the specified day.
• Bikes will arrive in Gisborne no earlier than 1 day prior to the Ride (Friday 17 February)
• Only bikes will be accepted – All bikes will be inspected before international shipping and any luggage will be returned to you at your expense.
• Reasonable care will be taken with your bike, however, Bicycle Network Victoria does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage

What about me?

Of course we have transport options for you as well, please visit your booking page and select the desired option.

Note: If you are flying into Auckland and taking our bike transportoption, you will need to book rider only transport from Auckland to Gisborne because your bike will shipped direct to Gisborne. The same applies out of Taupo at the conclusion of the ride.