Starting in the spring of 2011, Alps to Ocean will assuredly become one of the finest five day cycle holiday you could wish for in New Zealand. The trail begins near Aoraki / Mt Cook and the crest of the Southern Alps, winds its way down the side of Lake Pukaki to Twizel and then, over the next four days, continues on down the spectacular Waitaki valleys to the historic town of Oamaru on the east coast. Colin Monteath samples the joys of cycling day one.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Adventure South maintains a fleet of top notch support vehicles...PS: bring your own spanners!
Cyclists ride down gravel road beside Lake Pukaki , Aoraki / Mt Cook New Zealand’s highest peak looms overhead
Picnic lunch beside Lake Pukaki
Cyclists munch apples during a break in a farm barn, Braemar Station, Lake Pukaki
Cyclists enjoy the panorama from Mt Sefton to Aoraki / Mt Cook across the head of Lake Pukaki
The road through Mt Cook Station is lined with bright orange popular trees in autumn - Mt Sefton provides a stunning backdrop.
Dawn lights up Ben Ohau Range across a mist covered Lake Pukaki - a view from Alps to Ocean trail
Cyclists lunch at a cafe, sampling South Island wine
There’s always time for a hug
under a gum tree on Braemar Station
Cyclists revel in the panorama from Braemar Station of the Ben Ohau Range across Lake Pukaki
Alps to Ocean panoramas just keep on coming...and this is just day #1
Take a lake break to study the trail map
or simply marvel at the eastern faces of of Aoraki / Mt Cook
“The shortest distance between two points isnt the point”
cyclists take time out to explore shores of Lake Pukaki
A peaceful autumn evening over Aoraki / Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki
You almost stop to chat if you meet a car - quiet roads are a feature of the Alps to Ocean trail
Dawn over the Southern Alps - panorama from Alps to Ocean trail beside Lake Pukaki
Cycling along hydro-electricity canal near Twizel
Cycling through avenue of autumn trees
Note: two cars in distance...must be time for a coffee break
Adventure South encounters the South Island’s rush hour traffic
Aoraki / Mt Cook lights up with a golden glow as dawn engulfs the Southern Alps - panorama from Alps to Ocean trail
