Cycling

Mt Taranaki Cycle Ride - Sea level to +960m and back!

Robin Capper

24 Mar 2005 — 3 min read

I took my bicycle to New Plymouth last weekend as found a road on the map that looked interesting. Egmont Road climbs from the coast to the Mt Taranaki North Egmont Visitor Centre. I had been up there by car many years ago but thought it would a good ride if the weather cooperated.

On Saturday (20/03/05) I headed out of New Plymouth into a fairly strong southerly breeze. Apart from the shelter of a few hedges it was a slog into the headwind all the way to the mountain. Several times I was pounding away in first gear on virtually level roads on the way to the mountain wondering how it would be when the climbing started!

From sea level you gently climb to about 200m at Egmont Village then its about 18km to the start of the real climb. By this time you are at the edge of the bush line and about 460m high. From there to the Visitor Centre is a further 12km and you reach a final height of 956m.

Although steep the close bush cover meant the southerly headwind was no problem and it was a nice ride. It wasn’t much harder climbing than riding into that headwind on the flat! I got to the Visitor Centre at about 12:30 and decided it was time to eat. The cafe had great coffee and food although I was nearly caught out as they didn't have EFTPOS (only cash or credit card). I usually don’t carry much cash when riding but had taken some with me otherwise would have been no lunch! After a look around and a few photos then the real fun began.

The descent was great, 50 – 60 km/h down the mountain (overtook a car!) and then, thanks to that strong southerly, a cross country blast with a tailwind to the coast. I stopped 3 times, twice for photos & once to check the front wheel as the speedo sensor was clicking, and still averaged over 45km/h for the 27km trip!

I then headed back to town and joined up with the Coastal Walkway. New Plymouth have done a fantastic job upgrading the waterfront and now a wide smooth concrete path winds along the coast for about 7km. Although its called the Coastal Walkway cycling is allowed!

A highlight of the walk is the Wind Wand. This is a kinetic sculptural tribute to artist Len Lye. I remember caused some controversy when it was built as it broke in a storm but I think its great. I suspect its not often that it bends seawards as the prevailing winds are on-shore westerly but that southerly wind was still doing its stuff!