This panoramic oasis, full of variety, brims with the region's spectacular beauty full of wide-open spaces and biodiverse fauna and flora. It lends itself to a sun-seeking, sporting outdoors backdrop with its two lakes, ice-age carved valleys and snow-capped peaks where numerous outdoor adventures of every kind imaginable to your heart's content are available to enjoy.
The gem of the region is its highest point, Mount Aspiring at 3,000m, rising out of the country's largest national parks and mirrored in the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand's fourth-largest lake at its foot. Here in this pristine and unspoiled wilderness, one can respond to the call of the wild and the region's natural attributes. One can participate in numerous all-year-round outdoor activities, including snow skiing, snowboarding, hiking, sailing, scuba-diving, kayaking, fishing, cycling, 4WDing, rock-climbing, sky-diving and swimming in the immense lakes.
One can equate Lake Wanaka and the surrounding area to the painting and the rolling green mountains and glaciers as its ornate frame.
Wanaka also hosts special world-class events and festivals. One of these is called the Wanaka Challenge, a middle distance triathlon or Aquabike set against the backdrop of this magnificent World Heritage Area in the Southern Alps linking Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Glendhu Bay. Challenge Wanaka is on many a triathlete's bucket list of races to conquer because of the beautiful and unique backdrop and the challenging course on rugged terrain. It is an event for all ages and abilities and a great way to introduce youngsters to the sport.
Watch the exciting Wanaka Challenge promo video below
The bike course of 120km (90km on ROUVY), following the 3km swim leg, will leave the transition area at Glendhu Bay Station, taking riders through Wānaka township towards Lake Hawea then back to the Red Bridge Luggate. With its shark-tooth profile, the cycle course will then head out to Tarras, where they will turn around and return to Luggate. They will then cycle up past the airport, turning onto Mount Barker Road and down McDougall Street back into Wanaka and Glendhu Bay Station. The distance is over a gradient average of 1% and a maximum of 15% and includes 795m of climbing making it a relatively flat course.
Short Wanaka segment - How long approximately will it take to ride it
Route Map and Link - short route
3W/kg - 30 minutes
2W/kg - 45 minutes
Route Map and link - long route
3W/kg - 2h35
2W/kg - 3h10
On ROUVY, there are many unique and magnificent coastlines around the world just waiting to be explored. In this article, I'll suggest a few famous European coastlines you can ride on your trainer to soak up each shoreline's unique and natural characteristics and beautiful scenery and 'smell and feel' the sea breeze along the water's edge. Let's take you on vacation!
Visit Australasia, the region comprising Australia, New Zealand and a few neighbouring islands. We will visit these places virtually on ROUVY and take in some iconic, beautiful, rugged, and remote natural spots.
Do you feel like planning an unforgettable virtual cycling trip for the summer season with beautiful new routes on ROUVY? Travel to a country not often appearing at the top of a cyclist's typical bucket list of destinations. I will take you on a virtual trip to visit three hidden gems and unique places in central Europe. Let's cycle in Slovenia!