Alps to the Ocean on an e-mountain bike.

As we left Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound behind us, the sun came out. It was going to be a great day for a drive. We turned left and began our drive to the north end of the south island.

Next stop, a 3 day, 190 km self guided e-mountain bike trip from the base of Mount Cook (Mt. Cook Village) east towards the coast.  It was part of the A2O (Alps to the Ocean)  trail system, and they have done a great job setting it up.

I have to admit to being a bit of an e-bike snob, but had such a good time that I think an e-bike may be in my future.  It is mid winter in the Pacific NW and there is no time to put in the saddle time for a multi-day trip (outside of spin class at the Y).

It was such fun. And there were no worries about not being in shape. Get a little tired? Want some exercise? Turn off the battery. Turn on the juice. Lugging up that hill? Get a little electric boost. And the extra kilowatts ande the 50 mile days move right along.

When we arrived at Mt Cook Village, it had been raining and we thought it might be a repeat of Doubtful.

But the next day the clouds cleared, Mt cook came out, and we had 3 dry days.

The first day, from Mt Cook to Twizel, was one of my best riding days ever. Talk about scenery - not to be beat.

At the start we had to cross the Tasman River (run off from the Tasman Glacier on Mt Cook). There ia no bridge so we got a helicopter lift.

No camping on this trip - and the lodge on Lake Ohau had some great views to boot.

The last day we did a steady 1000 foot climb on one of the best manicured single tracks I've ever ridden. Then a long downhill and it was over too soon.

I'll try to put a couple videos in this blog, but if they don't work, you can find them along with a few more pictures at
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hGMakUq9NAyztNVp6