four-bedroom homes with kitchen and Wi-Fi
We flew Jetstar directly between Sydney and Hamilton, which is near-ish four of NZ’s 23 Great Trails: “Timber”, “Waikato River”, “Great Lake” (Taupo), and Whakarewarewa Forest Loop (Rotorua).
Having flown there earlier, I collected the other 3 at the airport with the rental e-MTBs already in the van. We drove 5km to Tamahere
and rode the sealed Te Awa Trail 30km to Lake Karapiro, where rowers were arriving and practicing for the national titles.
The Waikato River is NZ’s longest, wandering NW from Lake Taupo, through Hamilton, to the coast. Eight hydro dams en route create lakes. “Waikato River Trails” is 104km dirt/gravel alongside/near the river from Atiamuri to Karapiro. “Te Awa Trail” is 65km mostly sealed aside/near the river from Karapiro to Ngaruawahia, beyond Hamilton.
We stayed five nights in Mangakino (“Mango”). On Days 2 & 4 we rode the Timber Trail’s two sections. Day 3: some of Waikato River Trails. Day 5: some of Great Lake Trails.
We were very lucky to have nine fine days for our riding. We were UNLUCKY with the wet summer that preceded, including four rainy days immediately beforehand. We struggled with mud (esp. Timber Trail), ruts (esp. Waikato River), exposed roots and rocks. I had not experienced such difficult conditions on these trails before. Soil-type, maintenance, and chance of evaporation are relevant factors. Only on the Timber Trail, westside, did we see maintenance underway.
Fortunately, riding became easier as the trip progressed. Onn Day 6, the Whakarewarewa trail was near perfect. Day 7 was riding around Rotorua generally, plus some more forest. On Day 8, transitioning from Rotorua back to Hamilton, we rode scenic country back-roads plus a benign section of Waikato River Trails. On Day 9 we rode the NW 25km of Te Awa Trail, out-and-back, and enjoyed the renown (enclosed) Hamilton Gardens.
Lunch: Each day we made own lunches and ate where and where it suited us.
Problems: Despite our numerous slow-motion falls and unplanned stops, we survived physically with barely a scratch. Very fortunately, the rental bikes had mudguards!
One bike had the whole gear-change mechanism come adrift (bolt lost). One bike had a broken chain. One bike had a puncture, and we couldn’t lever off the tyre. All problems were overcome with help from bike shops, after a long trudge in two cases.
Shuttle Driver: My brother transported the bike-rack and various equipment from/to his home in Tauranga, some 80 minutes' drive from Hamilton. He also shuttle-drove for the first five days. Our later rides were loops plus an out-and-back. (Had he been unavailable, we would have split into two pairs riding from opposite ends, transferring the van key upon meetup. That would have meant more van time, especially with the Timber Trail).
Costs: Key A$ costs pp included return airfare $330, accom $680, ebike-rental $620, van-rental $250, diesel $80, Provisions $250, eating out (most nights).
Richard Kelly