While on our recent trip to meet with the Kaharoa Kokako Trustees, we thought we might indulge in some of the best experiences Rotorua has to offer. What better way to connect with the environment and activate some adrenalin than a hairy mountain bike ride through the Redwoods? So off to Planet Bike we ventured...
Planet Bike is located on the fringe of the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest, home of the mighty redwood trees, in a spacious shed decked out with retro-inspired kiwiana and other quirky paraphernalia.
The small and friendly bunch at Planet Bike promptly decked us out in all the gears and equipped us with helpful (and humourous) guide, Dave, who immediately allayed our first-time fears while simultaneously scaring the wits out of us!
Then, minding the logging trucks, we were off!
Here's a snippet from competition winner Kathryn's Rotorua diary...
"Having never really mountain biked ever before it was with some
trepidation I climbed aboard my trusty blue stead and practised the
safety pose our guide Dave showed us. Luckily the first few tracks were
easygoing and gentle and allowed me to gain some confidence before we
hit the more challenging trails.
After a mighty slog up a very big hill (where I very nearly vomited but
managed to hold onto that light lunch from earlier on, much to Dave’s
disappointment, he’s slipping apparently - normally he has you spewing
within fifteen minutes!) it was then a very fast, very bumpy, very fun
ride back down.
Liz has some biking experience and so left us for dust while I kindly
let Teresa know where all the very big bumps were as I shrieked and
laughed my way down in front of her - flying through the air clinging
onto my bike for dear life most of the time.
The redwoods have always seemed to me to be a very strange choice of
tree to be planted in New Zealand but the forest is stunning and a track
through a patch of dense pongas next to a clear babbling creek was a
definite highlight, especially when Dave tried to cycle across a single
log bridge and ended up dangling from a tree above the water, a very
good save on his part (he’s going to be practicing that bridge crossing
some more in the future).
 |
| Just resting our bikes! |
A very steep ride down a high bank took me a few attempts, it seemed
fine from the bottom but looked like a sheer deathly drop from the top.
Liz showed us how it was done and advised me not to close my eyes like I
really wanted to! I kept them open and apart from sitting so far back I
nearly ended up on the rear wheel it was all good and well worth it.
Mountain biking is definitely something I am keen to do a lot more of in
the future." Kathryn Troughton.
Whether a novice or more advanced, we highly recommend you experience the Rotorua Redwood forest trails for yourself - they are truly sublime!
Planet Bike does great deals and are open 364 days of the year.
For a taster of the fern-laced trails check out this awesome Youtube video...
And head on over to
Planet Bike to see more video's of the stunning trails through the Redwoods.
