The Waikato River Trails - Arapuni section

What: 2h ish mountain bike ride along the Arapuni section of the Waikato River trails (can also walk this)

When: Anytime of year

Where: Arapuni village is 10min from Putaruru, or approx 45min from Hamilton.

How..

We parked our vehicle outside the Rhubarb Cafe, Arapuni village. We then headed a few kilometres out of the village towards Putaruru until we came to Horahora Road. Along Horahora Road, we enjoyed a sweet long downhill then scenic flat tarseal before arriving at the Little Waipa Domain. The domain is a cute camping spot lying next to the Waikato River and is where the riverside section of the trail begins.

The next section to the Arapuni Dam is an undulating ride comprising of gravel and boardwalk and is suitable for riders of all fitness levels. There are many scenic picnic spots and great photo opportunities along this section. The path reaches Powerhouse Road just before the Arapuni Dam. We biked across the road bridge and up the right side of the river, crossing the Arapuni swingbridge to get back onto the trail. This next part of the trail provides some tougher hill sections until you reach the road at the south end of Lake Arapuni.

The section from this road to Jones Landing is recommended for advanced riders and walkers only as the steep climbs and tight downhills are not easy. However, this section can be easily completed with a combination of biking and walking and is well worth it for the views it provides over Lake Arapuni. Upon reaching Jones Landing, we turned around and headed back towards Arapuni village. There is the option to go further with the trails towards the Waipapa Dam. It is roughly 20min of road cycling alongside gorgeous farmland back to the village.

The Rhubarb Cafe in Arapuni Village is the perfect way to end your ride. The cafe also offers 'cruiser' bikes for hire.

42 Traverse - Central Plateau

What: 52km mountain bike across the State 42 Forest

When: Requires a good level of fitness and reasonable level of technique, so after a little training

Where: Central Plateau, North Island. The track starts about 15min north of National Park Village and finishes at Owhango. Bikes and transport can be arranged through the backpackers at National Park Village, or take your own bikes and arrange a drop off and a pick up.

How..

We arrived at the start of the track (Kapoors Rd carpark) just before midday. The first 30min of the track is flat, easy and primarily gravel until you reach Pumice Pit. There is a carpark here also, giving you the option to take 30min off the journey, but I recommend biking this first bit as it allows you to warm up with some flat track before getting to some reasonably hilly sections.

The next section to the Waione Stream crossing has a lot of downhill as the track drops off the plateau. This section was my personal favourite as my confidence and technique were both challenged dropping

down the very steep parts of the track. 1h30min into our ride, we reached the Waione Stream - a great place to stop for a sugar fix to fuel the body for the testing hill section to the next stream crossing.

After the quick uphill and a steep descent to the next stream crossing, the hard work really begins. The next section is a long, gradual uphill that really tests the quads, but you are rewarded by great views of the forested limestone country and a peak of the Whanganui River in the valley below.

The last stretch of track before the Whakapapa river bridge has plenty of gradual uphill, quick downhills (including some technical drops through mud) and a couple more stream crossings before reaching the last easy downhill 4km to the bridge. After much uphill mountain biking, this downhill stretch is a nice relief and includes a bridge crossing next to a pretty waterfall. We finished at the Whakapapa river 4.5h after we started, however technically the track ends at the pub in Owhango - a further 20min ride from the river. By the end of the ride, we were exhausted and my bike was a bit worse for wear, but were ecstatic to have completed an amazing ride though an awesome part of the country.

(If you are driving back through Taumaranui after the ride, stop off at the Whanganui River for a dip to rejuvenate the aching legs)