A2O: Starting from Tekapo

Does not require a helicopter flight.

Is at least one less overnight compared to starting at Mt Cook.

The scenery is equally as stunning as you travel the alternative route.

Getting to Tekapo

The closest airport is Timaru - one hour from Tekapo. There is a direct flight from Wellington to Timaru. If you’re bringing your own bike(s), we have bike storage at the airport. We provide a shuttle service from Timaru airport to Tekapo, and a return from Oamaru to Timaru Airport.

Christchurch Airport is three hours from Tekapo. We recommend the Intercity Bus operating from Christchurch. It departs at 08.30am and arrives in Tekapo at noon. You will need to book at least one night accommodation in Christchurch prior to departing for Tekapo.

Weather

Anything is possible: the sections from Aoraki/Mt Cook through to Omarama are alpine so be prepared. Check out the suggested gear list, and health and safety

You are not left to battle on if the weather is really against you. We are only a phone call away and will be there to assist you.

Covid

If a trip needs to be cancelled due to Covid19 travel restrictions, tour payments are refunded less $50pp. Alternatively, the tour may be transferred to within twelve months of the original start date. Ensure you have travel insurance.

Fitness and Skill

The A2O trail, and other rides offered, require a moderate level of fitness and some cycling experience. While it is not a hardcore MTB trail, it is not flat either, with a varying degree of inclines, declines, and technical sections up to grade 3. There are a variety of surfaces from sealed roads to loose gravel. Most of the trail is off-road.

E-bikes

E-bikes are not an easy option. They require experience to ride them. They are heavier than a regular push bike. There have been incidents on e-bikes where people are going too fast on gravel roads, lost control and crashed causing serious injury to themselves and the bikes - which are expensive to repair. There have been incidents where the weight of the bike has made it difficult for the rider to hold upright when mounting and dismounting resulting in falls and bike damage. Speed has been an issue whereby e-bikers travelling at high speed have collided with non e-bikers. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DECLINE E-BIKE HIRE TO THE INEXPERIENCED.

Puncture Repair

There is an expectation that if you undertake a cycle trip, you, or a group member, have basic bicycle knowledge - mainly puncture repair. If it all turns to custard on tour, BeSpoke Bikes will provide backup support, free of charge.

About BeSpoke Bikes

BeSpoke Bikes is a small, locally owned and operated business in Tekapo. The business name was chosen based on our business values, mainly offering services for small groups, and of course including a fundamental part of a bike with a play on the word “spoke”.

Annie started the business from the ground up in 2018 with a trailer load of bikes and rented them from the lake front. We then moved to a grass patch at 8 Simpson Lane. With a lot of hard work, patience, and local support, we have an established bike tour company, a permanent location/shop, and a growing reputation built on caring for our clients, and a sound knowledge of bikes.

Annie’s background is bikes. She was a competitive multi-sport athlete and cyclist (a few years back now) and still enjoys riding her MTB. She is a contributing member of the Tekapo Trails Society and has been involved in trail building.

Annie and Chris have completed the A2O Cycle Trail and can connect with our clients. Annie does the tour planning and aims to know the clients intimately before they arrive in Tekapo. She does the bike maintenance/servicing and knows the bikes well. Chris, aka The Irishman, is well travelled. He is interesting to talk to and will inform you of all sorts of interesting snippets during shuttles. He enjoys a good coffee and is happy to stop en-route. Chris does most of the driving.

We are actively involved in developing and maintaining the Tekapo trail network for family friendly cycling. We value and embrace active tourism.