Lake Tekapo is an incredible area for cycling and mountain biking. We've got the alternative starting point for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, numerous circuit trails to ride starting from Tekapo township, and the beautiful tracks of the Lake Tekapo Regional Park. The Cairns Alpine Resort is the perfect base to explore Tekapo by bicycle.

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Tekapo was the start and finish point for the 2021 Great Southern Brevet. This event is a 1,100-kilometre bikepacking challenge, which sees riders carrying all their own gear - no support crews! - and riding some very challenging terrain in a huge loop through some of the South Island's most beautiful and rugged mountain regions.

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Riders at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, before the start of the 2021 Great Southern Brevet. (Photo credit: Great Southern Brevet Facebook Page).

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The first person to finish the 2021 event was Richard Dunnett, who completed the challenge in an amazing 3 1/2 days. Our GM, Andy Perry, happens to be a cycling enthusiast himself and spent the Brevet sneaking peeks at the rider tracking map and dreaming of his own mountain biking adventures. So when Richard arrived back to Tekapo, Andy met him at the finish line with a congratulatory beer and steak sandwich and offered him a night's rest in our Red Hut accommodation.

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We caught up with Richard the next morning to ask about his experience in the mountain biking and bikepacking challenge. Check out the video for more.