Author: Justin Smith – MeloYelo Agent Christchurch South
Christchurch: Conquering the Redzone on Two Wheels (with a little electric help)
Forget flatness fatigue—Christchurch might be pancake-level smooth, but the wind can whip you sideways. That’s when a trusty Bafang-powered MeloYelo eBike becomes your best friend (Bafang, the muscle behind meloYelo’s electric magic, gets a shout-out here!).
After three years in Christchurch, I still hadn’t touched all the city’s corners, let alone its cycle trails. December 2023 called for a remedy, and my trusty steed took me from my Halswell home to New Brighton via the Avon River, my “Redzone Ride” as I call it (official name: Te Ara Otakaro Avon River Trail).
“Te Ara” means “the way,” and “Otakaro” is “the place of a game,” honouring the children who played on the riverbanks while adults gathered food. The Avon, from its spring in Avonhead to its ocean embrace, is a 14km gem. My favourite starting point is Riverside in central Christchurch.
The trail weaves through city streets and old roads eerily closed since the 2011 earthquake. Flat and smooth, it’s a breeze for any MeloYelo eBike. I’ve conquered it on both the Traverse and Tranzit (the Tranzit gets my vote for pure cruising!). I had loads of battery life left after the 30 odd km rode too.
The Halswell-New Brighton round trip clocked in at 29km, pure joy on two wheels.
Top tip: end your ride back in the city and reward yourself at one of the many pubs and restaurants on New Regent Street or River Terrace.
This trail welcomes any MeloYelo eBike with open arms: Townee, Tranzit, Traverse, Town’n Trail, Ascent, Super Lite—you name it! So, ditch the “flatness fatigue” and embrace the Redzone Ride, easy enough on any bike or add some fun to the ride and do it on an eBike, even better idea, on a MeloYelo eBike! Christchurch awaits, with the wind at your back and a Bafang boost to conquer it all.
Which MeloYelo e-bike would suit the Avon River ride?
All MeloYelo eBikes would be suitable for this trip. If I had a choice I would cruise on the Tranzit. Slightly bigger tyres than the Townee, heaps of torque with mid-drive if I want to have a little fun and up the motor assistance and zoooom home.
