Not only was the scenery amazing and the trip incredibly well organised... Ellie & Elder made this a really memorable experience. Their humour and personal connection with each of us was incredible. I highly recommend it.
This bike trip far exceeded our expectations. The trip was challenging in parts, exciting and ultimately rewarding at the end. Having e-bikes was a MUST and we were very grateful to use the excellent bikes we hired from the tour operator. Most importantly, our two guides, Ellie and Elder were so much fun, very caring, great cooks and Ellie a very skilled driver of the bus with trailer behind all the way. Nothing was too much trouble and their attention to detail made the trip run like clockwork. Elder was so supportive as 'tail-end-Charlie' for the entire 300km and a joy to ride with. The variety of landscapes across such a small landmass made each new day's cycling a new adventure. From seeing snow-capped Mt, saturated turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, towering cliff faces skirting Lake Ohau, a spectacular ride around Lake Benmore, to the joy of waves breaking on the Pacific Ocean at Oamaru and lots more. We indulged areas of the South Island not visible from travelling by road and biking made it possible.
Initially, I was apprehensive about this trip as it challenged my riding endurance, technical skills and comfort zone. However, I knew there was the back up of a guide and the van. My goal was to keep up as best I could, take copious photos and not fall off the bike. Elder assured me that the bikes were designed for the skiddy gravel I feared and stayed with me at the rear of the pack on the more challenging parts on the big hill looking down on Lake Benmore. He was constantly cheerful and encouraging. Perhaps he is a saint in Real Life? I was advised not to try the 20km part of Rotten Tommy but still enjoyed an amazing helicopter ride. I met up with the group at lunchtime on Braemar Road (after a van ride with Ken, to pick up the salmon for our dinner feast) and completed the rest of the ride successfully. As a group we had a great deal of fun, stayed in comfortable atmospheric accommodation...my favourites were Braemar Lodge and The Brydone, Oamaru. We ate fabulous food. Our guides Elder and Ken are chefs supreme. Gourmet picnics appeared like magic, as we lounged on deck chairs. Cafes and coffee were abundantly provided for. Nothing was too much trouble for our guides. I am now motivated to try more challenging biking trips after this experience.