2 Feb

Today we rode the Old Coach Road.  Julian,from Epic Adventures, had told us about it when he was taking us to Pureora.  We hired ebikes and had a magical ride. It was well signposted with numerous historical boards.  We rode from Ohakune to Horopito and Smash Palace.  Then we turned around and rode back. We had intended to start at Turoa and ride down the mountain but the weather was shower and cool. We did the trail first hoping it would clear by the afternoon but when we got back to Ohakune it was still cold and damp,in contrast with Horopito, where the sun was out.
I am a convert to ebikes.  We came to Whanganui and bought one. Tomorrow we will go back up the river so I can ride from Pipiriki.  We will have to miss the Bridge to Nowhere.   
Tonight we are camped beside yhe Whanganui River. Swimming in it here does not look as desirable as it was in Taumarunui.

29 Jan

We caught the shuttle at Ongarue to Pureora.  We started riding at 10 and 3 and a 1/2 hours later we got to the top of the hill. It was a lovely ride through the bush.  Although the hill was long the climb was not too steep and I was able to ride most of it. Several people passed us on the way up.
Coming down wax much more enjoyable.  The bush wax thick and there were few grand vistas. An occasional sign pointed off track to a view of Lake Taupo but it was pretty hard to see.
There were some fabulous swing bridges.  Thank goodness.  Because they soared far above the treetops. 
It was not the type of track where you could ride along and gaze around. You took your eyes from the ride at your peril.
At one point we were cycling along with the toitoi leaves brushing our legs.
The thunder started early and we managed to make camp by 5 pm. The storm passed us by with just a few spits.
We have had unbelievably good weather.  It has been hot and I don't really do well in the heat.
Tonight we are camping at Piropiro Flats. Drinking wine and eating cheese.  Epic Adventures, who run the shuttle, supplied all the gear we needed and brought in our food and clothing.  They had shower bags filled with water so it was perfect when we arrived. Really the only regret is that we only brought one bottle of wine.
And the insects.
It wax quite hard for me today but I suspect that it was worse for Ron.  I have been biking most days and he has been driving.  He still beats me up the hills but I am usually faster down. I think it is because I weigh more. However I have had to tighten my waist belt by about 3 cm so far.
I  did not know anyone could sweat like I have. I am constantly blinded by it dripping in my eyes. I bought a handkerchief today with a map of the trail on it. I hooked it over the strap on my backpack like a bible and it was always at hand to dry me off.

1 Feb

Today we came to Ohakune. Once we reached the bottom of Pikiako Hill, near Taumarunui,  there was a change in temperature.  By the time we got to National Park it wax getting very windy and cooler. In Ohakune there was driving rain and high winds. Definitely not a day to contemplate going for a ride up the mountain.
We went to the Waiouru Army Museum instead. On the way back we stopped at the Tangiwai Memorial.  Quite a depressing afternoon really.

30 Jan

We completed the Timber Trail today. It took us about the same time as yesterday - 7 hours. It was a bit easier though. We started early and it was quite cool. We were in the bush all the way.
At times we rode along an old logging tram line. The cuttings were deeply shadowed,rocks green with moss,and great ferns arching overhead. It was like being in a green tunnel.  Not as dark as a tunnel though. The one we went through on the Ongarue Spiral was very dark.
Some places were very muddy. My be lay down in the mud but I managed to stay upright. I certainly didn't want a mud bath.

Once we came out of the bush it was very hot.  The last 9 or 10 km was in the open along beside the river. The pines were being clear felled and the air smelt resinous. It wasn't as nice riding through the blackberry as it was through the toitoi.
We were very glad to get to the car park.
Now we are back camping in Taumarunui, probably for a couple of nights. I need a rest. I am covered in scratches and bruises.

28 Jan

Today we drove to Taumarunui. Tomorrow we catch a shuttle from Ongarue to Pureora to the start of the Timber Trail.
Today we saw the most beautiful gardens at Tapuwae. It is the lady's life work and is magnificent.  I would love to see it in Spring when it would be ablaze with colour from the rhododendrons and magnolias.  There are so many places to stop and while away an hour or two reading a book but she is always busy maintaining the garden.
We also walked in to see the largest totara in the world. It was a pleasantly shaded walk. A bit hard to get a photo. It is not cleared around it like Tane Mahuta. Estimated age between 1750 and 1850 years.
We popped into Pureora for a look and found old tractors preserved from old logging days.

Tonight we had dinner with Bruce Hopkins,who is walking the Te Araroa Trail, taking his father and brother home to Stewart Island, and raising money for grandparents raising grandchildren.   

There are several young people biking around NZ. Some are also following the Tour Aotearoa trail and others are making it up as they go. Either way, we are all enjoying it most of the time. 

26 Jan

We have had 4 nights rest,2 with Rose and Ken and 2 with Stuart in Minginui. And thank you Michael for checking our bikes and making the necessary adjustments.
I started again from where we left off at the junction of Highway 1 and Horohoro Road. After a few kilometers I was able to turn onto the Waikato River trail. Some went through bush and was lovely.  Some went beside the road and was narrow and much steeper than the sealed road. I stopped to let a running man and his two cycling children pass and when I started again my foot slipped in the gravel and I and the bike tumbled into the ditch. No great damage.
It was very hot and I did not stand up to it very well. Ron was waiting for me in Arapuni and we had lunch and then came to the Jim Barnett Reserve at Waotu to camp. This is a lovely spot. A little patch of replanted native bush, trees are named,there are toilets, lots of birdie.  Generally very pleasant.
We heated the solar showers and showered au naturelle.
In the evening the thunder rolled around us as we did battle with the insects trapped on the tent. There was a shower which drove off a group of aspiring campers so we have the place to ourselves again. The thunder got closer and it rained again but not for long.

Te Aroha to Highway 1.

A quiet ride today on sealed roads. We stopped in at the Frith Tower Museum on the outskirts of Matamata.  We then drove through Matamata and I started again on the other side. We are now over 1/4 of the way to Wellington
We are taking a few days off now to go and visit Rose and then out to Minginui.
I had to take a photo of the sunflowers. When we were in France I wanted to take photos of the fields of flowers but the bus went too fast. So today was my chance.