Aimee and Vaughan’s top ten tips
We’ve collated some helpful top rider tips when cycling the Alps 2 Ocean trail. Some we wish we’d known when cycling the trail ourselves and others we’ve learnt over the last couple of years. Happy reading and riding!
- When packing, don’t forget your long fingered gloves as well as your short sleeved shirts, just in case! The weather can change quickly at any time of year and it’s best to be prepared.
- Starting from Aoraki/Mount Cook? Consider adding an extended scenic flight with a landing on the Tasman Glacier for an unforgettable experience.
- Once you get on your bike for the day, there are limited or no opportunities for food or drink stops so make sure you are prepared.
- Get up close and personal with the stunning lupins, book your cycling experience for November or December.
- For our Australian cousins, look out for Aussie Rock when you are cycling along Hayman Road. It makes for a great photo opportunity.
- Omarama Hot Tubs provide welcome relief for tired legs at the halfway point of the trail as well as a nice cold beverage.
- Magpies can be very territorial, especially during their breeding season which is anywhere from September to January. During this time they can be known to dive on cyclists. Attaching cable ties to your helmet can help to avoid this. Also, keep moving, they want you out of their territory!
- When riding section 6, look out for Bobbing Creek, a pop up wine cellar door just past Waitaki Dam.
- Check out the stables at what was Elderslie Stud, not far from Oamaru on the final section where ‘world famous in NZ’ Phar Lap was bred.
- Riley’s top tip: if you’re riding with children, set off early so you’ve got plenty of time to stop for them to explore nature’s playground, the best kind of playground