Adventure Magazine Issue 220

Alps to Ocean Cycle
Why do it guided, even if you’re a Kiwi
Words by Elaina Culbert and Natalie Tambolash - Images by Elaina Culbert
At a time where the world is closed to
international travel, it is time to delve
into those close to home adventures and
support local. Quite often, us Kiwis wouldn’t
dream of doing a guided or supported
trip here in NZ – we seem to have that “I
can do it” attitude. Elaina was one such
Kiwi. She would have placed herself in the
self-guided category before this, but after
cycling the A2O trail with her partner Tina,
it’s safe to say she’s had a change of heart.
Alps to Ocean Day 1 and my Word is
#Hot: We drove in sweltering heat and
started our first ride not far from Fairlie and
ended the day riding around the Tekapo
bike park plus got to have a favourite,
Emerson’s pilsner on tap! We are travelling
with two lovely Aussie guys and our tour
guide is amazing!
Alps to Ocean Day 2: Day 2 took us from
Tekapo to Twizel with a bonus explore
towards Aoraki/Mt Cook. Stunning scenery
and enjoyable once out of the insane wind!
Alps to Ocean Day 3 and my Word
is #Celebrate: What a way to spend a
birthday! We departed Twizel in high spirits.
About half an hour in, the rain came. We
TRAVEL NZ, SUPPORT LOCAL
Image: Rebecca Ryan
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle is the longest continuous ride in New Zealand. The trail descends
over 2000ft and travels 300km to the coastal town of Oamaru passing through glacial-fed
lakes, golden grasslands and limestone cliffs until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Alps
2 Ocean Cycle trail is a one way ride, so you’ll need to have a way of being dropped off
at the start point. There are quite a few companies that offer this service if you don’t have
someone who can do this for you.
We caught up with Elaina Culbert who recently completed the Alps 2 Ocean (commonly
known as A2O) with World Expeditions.
made it the first 20k where our amazing
guide was waiting with a hot cuppa and a
bday cake surprise. What a great team we
are with. The ride around Lake Ohau was
stunning in the misty, majestic scenery.
The track flowed beautifully. The rain came
harder. We celebrated making it to Ohau
lodge and it was a relief to have a complete
change of clothes. A beautiful platter was
served and we celebrated again with a
bday bubbles.
Next was the big climb over the saddle. It
was a day of determination. The rain set
in harder and the temp dropped. We were
soaked to the bone and FREEZING! As we
descended the other side the track became
a steady stream of water. By this stage
we just had to have faith that the ground
underneath was solid!
Finally made it to the next meeting point
where a warm van was waiting. We had
done 60k and celebrated our achievement.
Did we decide to pull out and take shelter?
Hell no, “let’s knock this off” Tina grins, so
off we go for another 20k of swallowing
mud! It was the best feeling to arrive tired,
numb and cold, celebrating once again.
Experience all that NZ has to offer!
Why not cycle an iconic trail - Alps to Ocean,
Otago Rail Trail, West Coast Wilderness.
Get out and explore your own backyard!
www.worldexpeditions.com
0800 350 354
enquiries@worldexpeditions.co.nz
Our thoughtful guide had already sorted
our room and bags were waiting for a
hot shower. We had beautiful salmon for
dinner, a well-earned drink and a soak in
the wood fired hot tubs. I couldn’t think of a
better way to celebrate my bday!!
Alps to Ocean Day 4 and my Word is
#Burn: Incredible scenery and riding today
around lakes and dams from Omarama
to Kurow. A cool start and the sun was
shining. A lovely picnic lunch by the lake
(we have been so spoilt by our guide who
is an absolute gem). The off-road tracks
were fast and smooth, just magic. Our
accommodation tonight is really unique and
we have just had the most amazing meal.
Oh, and the wine tasting was superb... and
the burn... well that’s sunburn on my left leg
and... chaffing!
Alps to Ocean Day 5 and my word
is #Peaking: After a fabulous night in
Kurow staying at the gorgeous Waitaki
Braids where we enjoyed luxurious
accommodation, outstanding food,
beautiful wine and the warmest welcome,
we set off for the next day of adventure.
I was peaking. The fresh air and scenery
was energising and happiness levels were
right up there. The riding today took us
into new scenery along the fast and high
flowing Waitaki river to the farm lands of
Burnside Homestead... magic.
Alps to Ocean Day 6 and my word is
#Exceeded: The high from yesterday
wasn’t quite as high upon waking to very
cold and drizzly weather. Luckily our
guide Jan was able to give us all a pep
talk to awaken the spirits! We set off from
"I feel like I’ve seen
NZ through new
eyes this trip and
learnt so much."
elephant rocks and 20mins into it I was
wet and muddy and grinning ear to ear.
Once out there I was loving it again. The
trail was a dream to ride with lots of little
ups and downs. We had some fun on the
downs, what a blast!
The scenery on this final day was so
interesting. I feel like I’ve seen NZ through
new eyes this trip and learnt so much
thanks to Jan’s exceptional knowledge.
After the last stop with only about 10k to
Our Stand Out Moments
• Stand out accommodation was Waitaki Braids (we
would definitely go back there, it's not just a bed, it's
an experience).
• Biking along the Lake Ohau track, the scenery was
magic.
• Enjoying the experiences outside of the biking like
the meals together, the hot spa pools, the picnic
beside the lake, wine tasting, photography.
• We found the tour guide highly flexible so that we
could adapt when the weather wasn't right. This
made the trip much more enjoyable.
• We thought the trail was extremely well built and
lovely to ride.
• Benefits of guided travel in New Zealand - Even for
Kiwis
• Having the time and taking the time to stop at
places we never stopped at (as we were always on
route to a destination)
• Seeing NZ through fresh eyes, through the eyes of
a tourist. Exploring small towns we haven't been to
in many many years.
• Not having to drive!! For me, who is normally
driving, I loved relaxing and looking out the window.
I saw things I would never usually see.
• Not having to worry! All we had to think about was
getting up and biking! Everything was so well taken
care of, it was lovely being taken care of and not
have to worry about the minor details.
• Not having to take the time to pre-plan the trip
• Being able to explore cycle routes that started and
finished in different places (self-guided and we
always have to finish where we started)
• Having a guide meant finding out about places,
gaining knowledge we wouldn't have if self guided.
• It really felt like a holiday and it was great doing
something we wouldn't normally do.
• Would be a great trip with a group of friends
For more information on a Kiwi iconic cycle, discover the
Alps to Ocean Classic here: https://worldexpeditions.
com/New-Zealand/Cycle-Trails/Alps-to-Ocean-Classic
go we gave it everything and sped along
the track, adrenaline pumping with the
finish line so close!
What an adventure! A special thanks to
our guide, Jan, I knew I would love this
trip but the whole thing totally exceeded
my expectations in every way. Would do
it all over again in a heartbeat. Thank you
so much!
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 23