A2O days 4 and 5: Omarama to Kurow

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The weather has been great for cycling these 2 days. The track goes over New Zealand’s largest earth dam, Benmore which holds back Benmore lake, the the track follows beside Lake Aviemore to the Aviemore dam. Until today, cyclists had to follow highway 83 into Kurow, a daunting proposition as there is no hard shoulder and the buses and trucks barrel down this narrow road. We were told that a new section of trail was about to open in a day or two. Just after crossing the dam I spotted a small excavator close to what appeared to be the new track. Mark, the excavator operator, allowed us to be the first to ride on the track he has been building for the past two months. What a great job he has done! The Waitaki dam is the 3rd hydroelectric dam along this very scenic route.

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Photos

Benmore dam penstock
The largest earthen dam in NZ

Benmore dam
The steep climb to the top makes rented e-bikes worth the extra.

Aviemore lake
Aviemore dam to the left

Aviemore track extension
We were the first to ride this new section

New Aviemore track
Track is in great shape

Derelict building
The new track passes by the old brick buildings

New bridge
Note the sheep skull on the post

Track into Kurow
Beautifully finished track

Wine country
We’ll be tasting wine later

Waitaki dam
One of the first hydroelectric projects in 1934.

Comments

[Sandy Haggins]

Thanks for all the pictures Keith. Looks like you and Sandy are having a great trip. Enjoy!!

[Dancing Dave]

Track into Kurow
Looks like a beautiful place to ride. I will post this pic in "Follow that Road" thread in the Photography Forum. Check it out.