Official Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Opening
Finally! Last weekend we had the official cycle trail opening of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, launched by both Waikaki Mayor Alex Familton and Mackenzie Mayor Claire Barlow. Although the trail’s been ridable for the last few months, the last actual link section has now been opened to allow riders to cycle from Mt Cook to Omarama predominantly off sealed roads. (If you experience our Helibike option on Ben Ohau, there’s even less sealed roads!) This now makes the first 4 Alpine sections (see our Alpine Adventure) virtually finished, baring some additional surfacing.
Mayor Alex Familton and A2O Cycle Tours General Manager Sara Leadbetter
We rode the new section from Ohau Lodge across to the top of Quailburn Road for the first time. The surface is being finished (so mountain bikes with off road tyres are still our recommended bike option at this time) but the views across Lake Ohau and the Mackenzie Basin were stunning. The trail winds between bushes and beech trees and climbs the hillside at a relatively easy gradient.
Ohau to Qualilburn Uphill Section of the A2O Trail
There’s an overall elevation gain of around 500m over 12km so be warned, this section (like much of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Tail), is NOT a flat, straight rail trail, this is a back country, grade 1 to 2 bike ride and although it’s an easy gradient, it’s a loooong uphill.
Highest Point on the Ohau to Quailburn Section
The rewards though, are an equally fun, fast and flowing downhill that will only get better as the surface improves. The lower section was on grass and everyone reached the bottom grinning from ear to ear!
A2O Cycle Tours set up a refreshment stop at the bottom of the downhill, at the furthest point from civilisation, to give people a feel for why we run a supported tour option. As the only local Mackenzie mountain bikers running tours on this trail, we know this area well and pride ourselves on anticipating just when you’ll need us! When riders arrived hot, thirsty and tired, we were there with free cold drinks and a toilet tent 🙂
A2O Cycle Tours refreshment and toilet stop
The trail then carried on along the unsealed Quailburn Road down to Omarama, where we were met by the welcoming committee for the end to the opening ceremony weekend. All in all, a stunning weekend along a stunning cycle trail.
If you want to join one of our tours and experience the trail whilst it’s still in its raw state and more of an adventure, call us on 0800 HELIBIKE or email us for suitable dates.
