Opening of
Thermal By Bike

August 2013 in Old Classics

Despite intermittent rain, 77 people went to the opening of Te Ara Ahi Thermal by Bike. The trail transported us through unique geothermal sides, active with geysers and bubbling mud pools.

1275403_539186636163897_120949610_o

Highlights include cultural shows, bush walks and the lure of long soaks in soothing hot pools. The trail is humming with worthwhile distractions both on and off the bike. The first half of the ride was mostly off-road. The second half is mostly on road.

1149682_539186579497236_1077559962_o

Wish we could finish our rides at thermal hotpools in Wellington!

1119994_539186839497210_480791210_o

How to…

August 2013 in How To's

(re)introduce someone to the joy of cycling

If you want to (re)introduce someone to the joy of cycling, here is a great way to do it (I’ve tested it out on a friend).

466383_478636488885579_1895805156_o

  1. Catch a shuttle up to Waimangu Volcanic Valley with Thermal Land Shuttle (0800 894 287).
  2. Check out the valley – it is pretty amazing.
  3. Have a coffee in the cafe.
  4. Jump on your bike and ride 31 km, mostly downhill, back to Rotorua.
  5. Head for Zippys and/or a soak at the hot pools.

They will think cycling is easy, fun, and interesting, without being knackered by hills or freaked out by technical stuff.

467103_478636738885554_584282046_o

 

Bike Taupo: Waihaha

August 2013 in News

Bike Taupo does it again!

In May, we finally had a chance to ride the new 14 km Waihaha section of the Great Lake Trail. Brilliant fun, and great scenery, although you need to keep your speed in check… in places the damp leaf litter is very slippery. You can end up wrapped around a tree before you know it.

920942_480251195390775_1926725205_o

It starts at the Waihaha River Bridge on the western side of Lake Taupo and goes for 14 km to a dead end near the lake. Then you ride back the same way. There isn’t much altitude gain or loss, so that’s not a problem.

DSC_3418 Boardwalk (Medium)

Bike Taupo trail building crews are now working from a bay only accessable by boat, back to this point. They hope to be finished by Christmas and rumours are that it is the best yet. Go BikeTaupo!

Reveal the Trail

August 2013 in Events

The Odyssey track building competition over Easter saw 55 people carve over 1000 metres of track. It ended up spanning two days, because we tried unsuccessfully to postpone on Saturday, but three Nelson teams were already on their way, despite torrential rain. Luckily if fined up and they were joined by a dozen locals and the Kennett clan team from Wellington.

882225_455432331205995_800135346_o

On Sunday the track was built all the way through the pines to the 800 metre mark. First equal, having built 160 metres each, were the Quiet Revolution team and the Kennett clan team. The Trail Saints from Nelson were only 10 metres behind in third place.

891839_455447157871179_44071022_o

The weather was perfect on Monday, so 30 Golden Bay locals entered, but the building was much tougher as we carved across a steep scrubby face for almost 300 metres.

The end result is that well over half the track has been built. It is currently grade 4 in the pines and grade 5 below that. There is still a fair chunk of work to go, so it probably won’t be rideable all the way through until after winter.

901670_455453374537224_1274293369_o

Many thanks to the event sponsors for prizes and materials: Ground Effect, Giro, Cycletech, Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop and us.

Check out Project Rameka’s website.