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  • Home / THE ADVENTURE ZONE
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    Cycling the world-famous Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail in NZ

    June 26, 2023 3 min read

    Cycling the world-famous Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail in NZ

    Having previously completed New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail back in 2019, this year Jodie headed back to do the world-famous 300+km Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail all over again! This time, she decided to go with io and not gonna lie, we’re kind of jealous she didn’t actually take us with her because… wow!

    With alternative starting points at Aoraki-Mt Cook or Lake Takapō, Jodie and her friends opted for the longer route from Aoraki-Mt Cook in the Southern Alps, alongside the stunning Lake Pukaki.

    While officially a downhill route, Jodie was quick to point out they didn’t just roll the whole way.

       


    “It’s essentially downhill, yes, but with lots of uphill sections as well. We rode hardtail mountain bikes because there’s nothing too technical, it’s mostly a combination of bitumen and cycle trails - some of which can be quite rough in parts. Some of it was near cliffs where you think ‘I wouldn’t want to go wrong here’, but nothing too technical.”

    They completed the trail in six days, staying in hotels and B&Bs along the way, which Jodie said made for a really enjoyable way to tackle it.

      



    “We got to have warm beds, hot showers and real meals! So we had the freedom of being out on the trails, and the only place you have to be is at the next town by the end of the day, but you really can take as long as you want to get there.”

    The trail itself is broken down into eight sections ranging from 27kms to 54kms so even completing it in six days meant they had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along the way.

      

     
    “The scenery is spectacular. We got a helicopter over the Tasman River from Aoraki-Mt Cook, and they’d built more off-road sections since last time we did it, so there was more trail along the lakes. The views along some of the narrower trails with mountains and water all around us were just beautiful”.


    Of course we had to ask, what did Jodie wear along the way?

    “I wore exactly what I’m wearing right now - my long sleeve zip mongrel! I wore that everyday. But after I had a shower I would change into my Ultra Long Sleeve. So I had my dirty trail one and my clean one. Not hat you need to, but it was a luxury to take two. We were carrying all our own gear, so having something lightweight made that easy as well.” (Jodie also wore her multi-sport socks.)

      

    “My partner wore an Altitude Tee a lot of the time, and my other friend wore an Ultra Tee, with a long sleeve Altitude Crew over the top. And we all loved being able to pack less and stink less. I don’t honestly know how I traveled without ioMerino before. And I’m not just saying that. I could have worn the same top morning, night, on the bike, to the restaurant, whatever. Even riding up hills we got pretty sweaty but that was totally fine and I was always comfortable.”

    With temperatures ranging from close to zero overnight to the mid teens (celsius) during the day, Jodie’s ioMerino proved to be perfectly comfortable and versatile… just like we say it is! Yay!

    Next up Jodie has her sights set on more cycle trails, possibly linking a few shorter ones together in New Zealand, or heading further afield to Slovenia or Croatia. Wherever she goes, at least we know she’ll go with io.

      

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    Altitude Crew
    Fantastic for the Camino/long hikes

    I wore this tee on the Camino and loved it. I hand washed it every second night and by morning it was always dry. I love the dazzling blue colour, the higher neckline was great for preventing sunburn and the sleeve length was perfect. I only had two tees with me for 42 days and I never tired of wearing this tee. It has kept its shape and has plenty more wear left in it.

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    Walked the Camino in them

    Fantastic for hiking and everyday use. I bought two pairs of the bikini briefs for the Camino (40 days of walking) and they were fantastic. They dry really quickly. I would hand wash out a pair at night, roll them in a towel to get the excess moisture out, hang them up and by morning they were always dry. The hot pink colour made them easy to find in my pack too. Love them!

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    A great investment

    This jumper is going to be my new best friend, even in Australian spring/autumn (or Melbourne summer!).
    In Norway at present - well and truly minus- and it performs wonderfully as a layer, or a quite-dressy top indoors.
    I'm really pleased with the quality, and it's NOT made in China!

    D W
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    Altitude Zip

    Perfect for when riding my bike. Long sleeves are great for keeping the sun at bay. I find it breathes well and wicks very nicely. Highly recommended.

    Neil Penny
    Altitude Zip
    Works for me

    This is my 2nd pair. I don't see myself as a leggings bloke so wear shorts over them. Perfect for recovery, camping, bush walking and around the house. Woll on the skin works for me.

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    Excellent product

    Excellent, comfotable, dry, long lasting merino socks. I love them for trail running and casual no show in shoes or 3/4 boots.

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    These Tights are the best - I have six pairs. They keep me warm and dry in the winter, but I also wear them all through summer ( see below 34 degrees and very happy) I mean, how can millions of sheep be wrong? As far as comfort and fit they are true to size and the most comfortable pants I own.

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    With Io Merino and cold weather it is a pleasure looking forward wearing their gaiters. So soft and has this silk like texture to their high quality Merino and lighness having around neck. Sits great and comfy and make one look forward to just enjoy wearing it. Colours!! Such a great selection and really fab to add colour to whatever wearing with and stylish too. The logo is comfortable too as can wear showing or not and still looks good on show too. I have them in two more colours and gifting one. The colours on this Merino superb with fabric and shades are different to anything I have seen before. Makes for great feel to adventuring outdoors or being extra snug indoors.

    Grace I
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