At the time of writing, dinosaur juice is over $3 a litre and climbing. As much as I’d love to ride down in Central Otago every other weekend, that’s a massive chunk of change burnt on fuel. Unless we find a bunch of dinosaurs somewhere, that’s likely not getting cheaper anytime soon. Besides, we’ve got some postcard-worthy riding closer to Christchurch than you’d think. Here’s my quick roundup of 5 quite pleasant overnight rides close to Christchurch that’ll save you fuel money so you can spend it on bikes instead!

Akaroa / Bossu Road Overnight Loop

Distance - 205km
Elevation Gain - 4,080m
53% paved / 47% unpaved
Starts in Christchurch, click for the Route map
Ideal bike of choice - gravel or mountain bike
Recommended accommodation - Akaroa or Duvauchelle

There's some big climbs and limited drinking water, prepare accordingly! This route includes Double Fenceline which can be quite demanding on a gravel bike with a few sections of carrying. If you don’t have an appetite for riding that on a gravel bike then just skip Double Fenceline by riding up Harman’s track to Hilltop instead. Also, keep an eye on the wind forecast, the ride back from Little River to Christchurch with a strong nor’wester is demoralising at best.

Want a longer ride? Drop down to Little Akaroa and climb back out from Okains Bay.

Want a shorter ride? Start and finish at Little River.

Fowlers Pass Loop

Distance - 98km
Elevation gain - 1,830m
5% paved / 95% unpaved
Starts 134km from Christchurch, click to view route map
Ideal bike of choice - mountain bike
Recommended accommodation - Stanley Vale Hut or Scottie’s Hut (both fairly basic)

This route has a large amount of river crossings along the Stanley river. Be mindful of recent rain or snowmelt and factor in the potential of turning around if the river is too high. If you have time, make a quick detour to the Cow Stream Hot pools.

Want a longer ride? Ride up to Lake Tennyson, over Maling Pass, through to Lake Guyon and rejoin route at Stanley Vale Hut.

Want a shorter ride? Drive up Jack’s Pass and start your ride at St James Homestead.

Cheviot / Amberley Loop

Distance - 270km
Elevation gain - 3,540m
49% paved / 51% unpaved
Starts 48km from Christchurch, click to view route map
Ideal bike of choice - gravel or mountain bike
Recommended accommodation - Gore Bay or Cheviot

If you want to avoid riding on SH7 between Hurunui Bridge and Culverden, then you can add another 12km to the route by riding Balmoral Station and Top Pahau Ford Road instead.

Want a longer ride? Start from Christchurch.

Want a shorter ride? Start and finish at Waikari.

Poulter River / Mt White Station There-and-Back

Distance - 88km
Elevation gain - 1,500m
5% paved / 95% unpaved
Starts 120km from Christchurch, click to view route map
Ideal bike of choice - mountain bike
Recommended accomodation - Casey Hut or Trust/Poulter (very basic)

Mt White Station seasonally closes access to the track from Sep 20th to Dec 10th. A couple of stream crossings have the potential to become uncrossable after heavy rainfall. The first part of the track isn’t that well signposted when you drop down the terrace to Poulter river, and you may have to cross through a small braid or two of the Poulter.

Want a longer ride? Ride up to Trust/Poulter Hut.

Want a shorter ride? Start from either Andrew’s shelter or Poulter River Bridge.

Alps 2 Ocean / Hakataramea Loop

Distance - 310km
Elevation gain - 2,760m
38% paved / 62% unpaved
Starts 220km from Christchurch, click to view route map
Ideal bike of choice - gravel bike or mountain bike
Recommended accomodation - heaps along route depending how you want to break it up - Lake Ohau Lodge, Omarama, Kurow.

This ride pairs well with a northerly wind on day one and a southerly on day two!

Want a longer ride? Ride Braemar Road out of Tekapo instead of riding the A2O along the canals.

Want a shorter ride? Ride SH8 from Twizel to Omarama to skip the Ohau section (but you’d be skipping arguably the best part of the ride).