• Janet TaylorNew ZealandJanet Taylor
    This place is at the start of the ride.
    Started the ride with coffee from a trailer outside an auto wrecking place.Interesting auto graveyard!Acres of auto parts inside the building and out.Taking a break at an affordable old train tresselAn old train tressel along the road.The tressel from below.On one of the trestles.Katja and Steve our amazing Kiwi hosts.Spending a bit of coin at a local clothing maker.Mountain bike keener a.k.a. as Steve!Found this huge tree along the trail.The lads went for an extra ride while the Katja and I had tea!More Hobbit Hills.Hobbit HillsAnimal lover a.k.a. Katja, with her buddie Orla!Someone left a hat at the after ride bear place!!

    Taupo to Waimarino

    January 16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    On January 15 we drove from Taupo to Waimarino. We had planned to do a little hiking in Whanganui National Park but it was absolutely bucketing down rain. We almost had to stop at the side of the road because visibility was so bad. Luckily the rain let up enough for us to get to the hotel without incident. We checked in and spent the afternoon chillin' while watching the rain and thunder from the comfort of our room!

    Katja and Steve drove down from Auckland that evening so we could all bicycle the Old Coach Road the next day. They joined us at our hotel for supper then carried on to Ohakune about 25 mins farther south to the Airbnb they had rented.

    The next morning we all met at the bike rental shop in Ohakune and then took a shuttle to the farther end of the trail. We spent the best part of the day cycling through beautiful country. As mountain bike trails go, it was very easy but it was enough for me as I've never done mountain biking before.

    At the end of the trail in Ohakune, we stopped at a small shop where they make and sell merino/possum wool shirts, sweaters, hats, etc. The clothing made here is absolutely beautiful and the epitome of locally made.    Read more