Looking for inspiration for your next big ride? MeloYelo agent Justin Smith shares his experiences and tips for the perfect e-biking day trip in the South Island.
The South Island is a treasure trove of dramatic landscapes, and the Alps to Ocean cycle trail lets you soak them all in as you ride. My wife and I recently explored a section of the trail from Tekapo. We opted for this route because it allowed us to plan a full day of adventure and return to our car at the end.
A Scenic Start on Quiet Roads
We started by driving through Tekapo township and parked near the trailhead on Andrew Don Drive. This new subdivision offered convenient parking, and from there, we hit the gravel trail.
The trail dipped down a short, steep hill, leading us past the first landmark, Power Substation A. With the snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear blue canal water as our backdrop, this was exactly the kind of scenery we were looking for. This section was perfect for my wife, who prefers quieter paths over busy roads. We cruised along a flat, sealed road alongside the canals, enjoying the solitude with barely any traffic in sight.
E-Bikes Enhance the Experience
The mostly flat terrain was even more enjoyable thanks to our trusty MeloYelo e-bikes. I rode the Town’n Trail, while my wife opted for the Superlite. We used pedal-assist level 1 for most of the 85km+ ride, except for one challenging hill near Lake Pukaki. While MeloYelo provides a suggested range for these bikes’ 630w motors, it was impressive to see the battery and bike perform so well over such a long distance. The only thing I missed was my suspension seat!
Aoraki/Mount Cook Steals the Show
As we cycled, Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, dominated the view. It was hard to tear our eyes off this icon of the south! As well as the Mount Cook vistas, on one side we also had crystal-blue canal water on the other. We stopped a few times to chat with fishermen and see if the salmon were biting. We even spotted a couple of fish jumping – a fishing rod would have been perfect, if only!
Lake Pukaki’s Beauty Unveils
After following the canals for about 25 kilometres, we passed the salmon farm and the “Fishbowl,” followed by a steep descent that brought us down to Lake Pukaki and Hayman Road. This is where we started to see more cars, so we needed to be careful for cars. Hayman Road runs parallel to the lake, eventually joining State Highway 8. Luckily, there’s an off-road track between the road and the lake, sparing my wife from riding on the main road for too long. Keep an eye out for the cycle track on the lakeshore and the freedom camping spot. Even in the cooler season, there were still plenty of campers around. This was also a perfect time for a well-timed toilet break!
The views of Lake Pukaki were breathtaking, and we could see our destination, the Mt Cook Salmon Shop, in the distance. After our brief stop, we cruised along the scenic gravel/dirt track that followed the lake shore. On a warmer day we would have definitely stopped and dipped our toes in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Pukaki. Finally, after crossing a bridge, we arrived at our destination – The Salmon Shop.
A Well-Deserved Rest at the Salmon Shop
The shop was bustling with activity – a bus tour and other tourists were taking selfies and stocking up on salmon. The shop offered basic filter coffee and a variety of salmon products, including salmon mousse, pies, and sushi. We had packed our lunch but still treated ourselves to coffee and a breather, giving our tired “backsides” a well-deserved break.
A Different Perspective on the Return Journey
Refuelled and ready to go, we hopped back on our MeloYelo bikes and headed back to Tekapo. The return trip provided a chance to appreciate the scenery and those crystal-clear canals from a different perspective.
The Perfect Day Trip
The round trip from Tekapo to the Salmon Shop on the Alps to Ocean cycle trail was a total of 90 kilometres. It was, in my opinion, the perfect combination:
- A comfortable day trip
- E-bikes that made the distance manageable yet still offered a fitness challenge
- Breathtaking scenery
- Easy terrain suitable for our bikes and varying cycling skill levels
- Safe trail off the road, still flat and tar sealed
- The ability to drive back to Christchurch afterward
A Big Thank You
A huge thank you to Alps to Ocean Cycle trails. You and your communities have done an amazing job in creating such a wonderful trail. I’m sure the team at MeloYelo will recommend to all our customers to give any or all sections a go.
To check out the section we rode, see the links below:
MeloYelo – Your Partner in Adventure
On this 90km round trip we used the following MeloYelo e-bikes. Check the links below on each of these models and why they are so well suited to the Alps to Ocean Cycle trail:
If you’re interested in riding the Alps to Ocean Cycle trail or any of the other great rides in this region, MeloYelo can help you out. We offer a wide range of bikes for rent and for sale, from comfortable cruisers to performance road bikes. Our friendly staff are passionate cyclists themselves and can provide expert advice on the trail and the surrounding area.
Book a demo yourself with me or any one of our agents across New Zealand.
Happy and safe cycling!
Justin Smith,
MeloYelo agent, Christchurch South
