E-Biking Alps to Ocean (NZ)
A2O is a 300-km bike trail that runs across NZ’s South Island from near Mt Cook/Aoraki to the Pacific. February 2026 the Mrs organised us a brilliant self-guided ride with rented e-bikes, lodgings and even baggage transportation.
In my prime I did a couple of big trips in the mountains of Asia. A2O was obviously cushier but still an amazing ride. They’ve done a great job of stitching together a fantastic, traffic-free or quiet road route that showcases the South Island's amazing landscapes. It’s open from October to mid-May but is so popular you’ll have to book lodgings or camp. We did it in 5.2 days and every day revealed some wonder. I'd happily ride it all again.
The A2O starts by getting yourself and bikes choppered over the glacial Tasman river below the snowy, 3224-m summit of Aoraki.
Then you’re off.
We were doing two A2O stages on Day One: 75km along the full length of azure Lake Pukati, before heading cross country to Twizel.
At first I couldn't tell, but my unfamiliar Merida started switching off assistance with each bump, and the start across the Tasman flood plain was pretty bumpy. 10,000 rental kms on the clock may have had something to do with the fault.
I called it in but though less than an hour’s drive away, the rental shop didn’t offer to come out with a replacement or suggest any workable fixes (we were told to leave the battery key with the main baggage).
So instead I learned the barely loaded Big Tour could be pedalled fairly easily switched off. On the few climbs, I could restart and snatch some uphill help before another bump killed the assist.
Realising e-bikes are easily rideable switched off (to extend range) was an e-epiphany for me. Being a motorbiker, I assumed an e-bike with a flat battery was as useful as a moto with a dry tank. Wrong. It’s heavier of course, but no heavier than the loaded bikes we pedalled in the Karakoram.
The stunning turquoise water of Lake Pukaki.
For a 75-km day, mostly dirt and me half pedalled unassisted, we came in pretty fresh. Along with the thrill of the stunning setting, I put much of that down to our bikes’ unusually comfy saddles. I was so impressed I took a picture and back home, ID’d it as a Serfas Dual Density found for 22 quid on eBay uk.
Day 2 shortly.
The manager is opening the restaurant at 8:00 on Saturday to compete with the "Fisherman's Inn"! 
You only need to explain the Strava E-Bike Segments to me as I could not find them on my Garmin!"
