TA Day 131: Cruise to Lake Ōhau via the Alps2Ocean Cycle Route

After spending a couple more days at Lake Tekapo resting and waiting for the weather to improve, today we hit the road.

Our bodies were still aching, so we decided to take some pressure off our extremities and leave Tekapo in style.

Exchanging backpacks for backpacks, we cycled 89 kilometers (55.6 miles) to Lake Ōhau.

I can walk all day, but I haven’t biked much. Needless to say, I was a little nervous about getting this far in a single day.

Luckily for us, the road was mostly flat, with tons of good views.

We rode along canals, passed a salmon farm and enjoyed the changing angles of a distant Aoraki (Mount Cook) in its snowy glory.

We also toured the bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki, Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Ōhau.

An absolutely gorgeous day and well worth cycling through the section. For the most part, Alps2Ocean follows the TA route. However, there is a slight variation that keeps us along Lake Pukaki rather than heading into a valley.

Despite having to be at Lake Ōhau by 15:00, we had time for a short lunch in Twizel and photo breaks along the way.

Once we reached the hostel and exchanged the bikes for our suitcases, we thought about walking more. However, it was already hot and late in the afternoon. Instead, we set up our tents and went down to relax by the lake.

Despite the warm weather, the water was freezing. Robert was the first to jump, while Sophia and Animal Encounter slowly advanced.

In the end, everyone (except me) made it all the way to the frozen lake. After a brief swim, they headed to the lodge’s jacuzzi.

Meanwhile, I made a watercolor painting of the lake with its U-shaped valleys formed by glaciers behind.

The black flies were horrendous by the water. I couldn’t wait to finish painting and join the others in the spa.

Overall it was a nice and relaxing day. It’s always fun to change up our hiking routine from time to time with a TA approved alternative.

Bikes aside, tomorrow we do it again; crossing the East Ahuriri track on foot.

Good luck and happy hiking!

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