RobiNZ Personal Blog

Timber Trail Day One | Time Out 2021-22 Pureora Forest

When I found out about the Waikato River Trail section closure, but had already committed to travel to Taupo, I decided to do a ride previously relegated to my 'next summer' list. I had considered it pre-xmas 2021, but the Auckland COVID-19 lockdown scuttled that. The Timber Trail goes 85km from Pureora Village (about halfway between Mangakino & Taumarunui) through Pureora Forest to Ongarue (near Taumarunui). It's a two-day forest trail ride with a variety of overnight options mid-way: camping, glamping, and a couple of lodges. I'm not camping, especially this time of year, so it was glamp or lodge.... Read more →

Huka Falls, Aratiatia & Lakefront Trails | Time Out 2021-22 Taupō

Change of plan today as found out the Mangakino/Mareitai section of the Waikato River Trail I was going to ride is still closed for logging works. When I booked this leg, it was only weekdays, thus the weekend ride plan, but was changed to all week recently. Instead of a 56km rural drive, each way, from Taupō for ~70km of riding it was going to be 70km drive for just a 10km return cycle leg, so scrapped that. Besides, after two big riding days on the Great Lakes & Waikato Trails, it was time for a lazier day. After a... Read more →

Waikato River Trail | Mangakino to Atiamuri | Time Out 2021-22 Waikato

Today I drove North, 56km, to Mangakino to ride another section of the Waikato River Trails. I had hoped to complete the final two sections this trip but the trail North of Mangakino was closed for forestry operations. Oh well, a reason to return! Waikato River Trail | Mangakino to Atiamuri Lake Maraetai, Mangakino Parked up at the Lake Maraetai foreshore, Mangakino. First move was a coffee from the brilliant Bus Stop Café (in the background of the photo below). There was a thick mist hovering over the lake, but (at 11:00) it was finally starting to lift. Just thirty... Read more →

Great Lake Trails | Waihaha & Waihora Return | Time Out 2021-22 Taupō

I had returned to Taupo for some unfinished business on the Great Lake Trails. There are four sections on the lakeside around, and further west of, Kinloch. I did the Kawakawa/K2K and W2K trails at Kinloch in January but still had the more remote Day 1 Waihaha Trail (on the map below) to do. It typically requires a shuttle drop-off at the road end and boat pick-up, from the beach back to Kinloch. I'd contacted an operator saying 'am travelling solo, would be in Taupo Thursday–Friday, could ride either and was happy to fit in with other shuttle/boat bookings' but... Read more →

Te Awa River Ride | Tamahere to Lake Karapiro | Time Out 2021-22 Waikato

Time to return to the Waikato and Taupo for some unfinished business. I had a few Waikato River and Taupo rides left to 'complete the set'. First was a section that was still being built last time I rode the Te Awa River Ride (Waikato River). A new section from near Tamahere to Cambridge which linked to an existing roadside route through to Lake Karapiro. Update: Since I rode, and as I write, another section linking Hamilton Gardens to Tamahere opened completing the full 65km Te Awa River Ride from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karapiro. I need to go back again!... Read more →

The Big Bike Film Night 2022 | Time Out 2021-22

I delayed my second Waikato/Taupo trip a week to be in Auckland for a long-anticipated event. Thanks to COVID-19 lockdown and gathering limit delays the The Big Bike Film Night 2022 was only a few months after the delayed TBBFN 2021! Cycling to the bike movies From home it is a short suburban ride to the nearest (of so many) screening in Avondale. I previously went to the Devenport/Auckland City screenings (after work) so was a novelty to see it out West. Giro ready to roll Crossing Waikumete Stream near home, would reunite with it later tonight. Towards New Lynn...... Read more →

Remutaka Cycle Trail | Time Out 2021-22 Wellington

Woke up to 'Wellington on a good day' for my last ride of this road trip. After a DIY motel breakfast, I chucked the bike in the car and headed back to Maymorn, Upper Hutt, (where I turned around on Thursday) and the start of the rail incline section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Remutaka Cycle Trail | Incline Rail Trail Section The Remutaka Cycle Trail | Rail Trail Section follows the old railway to the Remutaka Hill summit and famously steep, for a railway, incline down to Cross Creek, Wairarapa. There are two great on-line guides in addition to... Read more →

Belmont Trig Trail | Time Out 2021-22 Wellington

What a contrast to yesterday, woke to stormy wet weather and low cloud. It was still quite warm, around 16°C, but not a great day for riding the Remutaka Ranges. After mucking around all morning, some travel/home admin and watching videos, decided to take a look at some mountain bike trails near the motel. An entrance to Belmont Regional Park (2) is just across the highway from where I was staying (1). The rain, if not the storm, eased off around midday so I decided to explore some of it. Although close to suburbia is it also fairly remote so... Read more →

Pencarrow Head and Hutt River Trail | Time Out 2021-22 Wellington

After last night's late arrival, was after 23:00 by the time I got to the motel, I didn't rush to get up. Wandered across the road from the Motel about nine for breakfast at Seashore Cabaret Café. The eggs benedict (with ham) and coffee were good as ever, but the view wasn't up to their usual standard. Although the Petone foreshore was clear last night's fog was still there, masking the harbour. Today's plan was a ride to Pencarrow Head, hopefully the fog would lift enough to see the view! As it turned out I went a bit further... Petone... Read more →

Robin Hood Bay Gravel Loop | Last South Island Ride | Time Out 2021-22 Picton

What a day for my last ride in the South Island (on this trip)! It was cool setting out, just 12°C, but soon warmed to 20°C as the sun kicked in. Around the bays... There are some neat mountain bike trails around Picton but was looking for something a bit more memorable for my last South Island ride. When I saw my (first) name on the map, on a coast road out from Blenheim, the route was decided. My Strava missed about 18km from the end, was a long day and didn't notice my Gear Watch had gone flat. All... Read more →