[Sunday 7th Oct.] The day was perfect, clear sunny sky, no wind, views sublime, what better to do than attack a section of Alps 2 Ocean bike trail. As we were parked up at Lake Ohau just below Ohau Lodge, lets do the uphill to highest point…. geared up and off we go on a well formed track along the Ohau Range gradually climbing not too strenuous a gentle breeze kept us cool, crossing streams tumbling down from the range passing through small remnants of beech forest ever increasing our altitude. The views were stunning looking right up the head of Lake Ohau up the Dobson Valley and rising magnificently in the background Mt Cook and Mt Sefton, in the foreground Mt Glen Lyon. Panning round to Ohau and the vista of the Ohau -Omarama farmland. After an hour and three quarters we reached Tarnbrae high point 900m.. 13 km great workout. After enjoying the views the fun was about to begin DOWNHILL back. The one thing that never ceases to amaze me was even though we were climbing, it wasn’t too bad… well that’s what I think but the downhill is such fun, momentum increases and I average 25 km/ hr nearly tipping over on a hairy corner, too cocky for my own good! It takes us 35 min to descend. A great afternoon spent in a beautiful part of our country.
[Monday 8th Oct] A repeat of yesterday weather wise, another cracker spring day. After catching up on the mundane things of laundry and more supplies in Twizel we decide to camp up at West end of Lake Ruataniwha up on high terrace looking down to the lake perfect spot!
We decide to bike the Lake Ohau section of A2O. Bikes on “Jimmy” we head off along canals to Lake Ohau plenty of fishermen trying their luck. This section of the A2O skirts round the southern end of Lake Ohau before rejoining the road to Ohau village. A reasonably flat ride today. The lake is picture perfect, flat as reflections galore and very clear clean water. We ride over the weir where the Ohau River flows out then start following the shoreline. Bird life was prolific, fernbids, waxeyes, finches and hawks. Manuka, bracken and Kowhai trees dripping with bright yellow flowers attracting plenty of bumblebees. An 11 km ride to where the road section starts, looking up to the head of the lake we see a very strong westerly coming down the lake but thankfully Ben Ohau shelters us from this. A very enjoyable 22 km ride on another day in paradise.[Tuesday 9th October] We have certainly struck a purple patch of weather, 5 days of sunshine! Today we leave Twizel and head towards Tekapo. We stop on the eastern side of
Lake Pukaki, decide to ride up towards the head of the lake, just a snippet of it actually as it’s approx 50km up to start of A2O on the eastern side of Tasman River. This part of the trail is mainly ridden on Hayman road first few km on seal then from Tekapo B power station gravel. We decide after 12 km that would be enough for today have a drink and orange admiring the view of Mt Cook swirling in cloud, then begin the return journey. Now being a gravel road has its disadvantages logging trucks for one creating lovely a dust storm! The ignorant other drivers whom don’t bother to slow down whilst passing spraying us with dust and gravel! But big ups to an Asian driver whom slowed down and passed us with care. Shane and I always ride single file when on the road but some drivers give little room when passing us geez one zoomed past me so dam close I could have grabbed his door! Getting back to Moho we make a lovely sammie, coffee and sit out enjoying the view. One never tires of the beauty before us.
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