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Day 15 - 15th November 2012
Turangi to Tokoroa
121 kms
Turangi to Tokoroa
121 kms
Interesting New Zealand facts
New Zealand has a huge number of cars: 2.5 m for 4.1 m people.
New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.
New Zealand has a huge number of cars: 2.5 m for 4.1 m people.
New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.
PREVIEW:-
From Turangi we have the option to either go the west side or the east side of Lake Taupo – and I am opting for the east side – one reason – to stick to State Highway 1 – secondly we will see more of New Zealand’s largest lake (Lake Taupo), and thirdly we will go through the lovely town of Taupo. I also think it may be less hilly – but by no means will it be an easy biking day!!
I am hoping I will also be able to make a short call on my Aunty Shirley who lives in Taupo.
On 24th November the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will be held – there are a variety of categories to this ride with the most popular one being the 160 km “Round lake Taupo” ride.
The Waikato River starts from Lake Taupo and we will ride by this for a while through the thermal area of Wairakei before we start through pine forests to the small town of Tokoroa.
From Turangi we have the option to either go the west side or the east side of Lake Taupo – and I am opting for the east side – one reason – to stick to State Highway 1 – secondly we will see more of New Zealand’s largest lake (Lake Taupo), and thirdly we will go through the lovely town of Taupo. I also think it may be less hilly – but by no means will it be an easy biking day!!
I am hoping I will also be able to make a short call on my Aunty Shirley who lives in Taupo.
On 24th November the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will be held – there are a variety of categories to this ride with the most popular one being the 160 km “Round lake Taupo” ride.
The Waikato River starts from Lake Taupo and we will ride by this for a while through the thermal area of Wairakei before we start through pine forests to the small town of Tokoroa.
REVIEW:-
Predicted 120 kms - actual = 121 kms
We've got the mornings pretty much sorted and we are up and on our way just before 8:00 am. I had suspected a tiny slow leak in my back wheel since yesterday lunchtime - so to be on the safe side Pat changed it before we set off. Total punctures now - Margie and Annie - zero - Don and Brenda - 2 each - both of us have had one front and one rear!
Cloudy weather again when we set off, and it was very pretty cycling along with Lake Taupo on our left. Took it easy, knowing that there would be a tough hill before Taupo and others between Taupo and Tokoroa. Interesting things to spot - I think the biggest caravan park I have seen in NZ was at Motutere, and then closer to Taupo - several anglers were waist deep casting their flies!
Once in Taupo, Pat and I went around to visit my Aunt Shirley and it was a very pleasant interlude to sit on a soft seat and enjoy coffee, cake and a natter!! All too soon it was time to move on. The team re-assembled in Taupo and headed off for Tokoroa.
Sadly the weather decided to turn horrible - rain fell and it got quite cold. When trucks "whooshed" past us we got covered in road-filmy spray - and I had to keep wiping my glasses so I could see.
I have to say, that this stretch of road was the worst we have travelled along to date. In many parts the shoulder was narrow, dropping and broken away, or just non-existent forcing us to bike just on the road side of the rumble bars - which with the large number of trucks on the road - was just a little scary!! In places where there was a shoulder the road surface was so rough it felt like my whole bike (and me) was shaking to bits! Not nice on an aging, aching body!
Our coldness was warmed as we passed where the Rotorua road joins in, and a car-load of Rotorua Zontians tooted and waved. They stopped a couple more times and cheered us from the roadside - really warming our hearts - but nothing was capable of thawing frozen, wet toes!! When we reached Clifton Court Motel, the Zonta ladies plied us with home-baking - and we are now seeking the recipe for the yummy sultana and walnut cake!
Clifton Court Motel welcomed us - and our unit had a bath - which was very welcome to thaw out frozen feet as well as enjoy a long hot soak. They made their laundry available for us to dry our clothes, and also allowed the bikes to be put in there for safe storage overnight! It is good not having to padlock the bike to the wheel of the Jucy which was what I had to do on several occasions across Australia.
Chinese takeaways were the menu for the night - and we were keen to get to bed pretty early as tomorrow's ride was predicted to be 140 kms. now its off to bed early as we have 140 kms!
Predicted 120 kms - actual = 121 kms
We've got the mornings pretty much sorted and we are up and on our way just before 8:00 am. I had suspected a tiny slow leak in my back wheel since yesterday lunchtime - so to be on the safe side Pat changed it before we set off. Total punctures now - Margie and Annie - zero - Don and Brenda - 2 each - both of us have had one front and one rear!
Cloudy weather again when we set off, and it was very pretty cycling along with Lake Taupo on our left. Took it easy, knowing that there would be a tough hill before Taupo and others between Taupo and Tokoroa. Interesting things to spot - I think the biggest caravan park I have seen in NZ was at Motutere, and then closer to Taupo - several anglers were waist deep casting their flies!
Once in Taupo, Pat and I went around to visit my Aunt Shirley and it was a very pleasant interlude to sit on a soft seat and enjoy coffee, cake and a natter!! All too soon it was time to move on. The team re-assembled in Taupo and headed off for Tokoroa.
Sadly the weather decided to turn horrible - rain fell and it got quite cold. When trucks "whooshed" past us we got covered in road-filmy spray - and I had to keep wiping my glasses so I could see.
I have to say, that this stretch of road was the worst we have travelled along to date. In many parts the shoulder was narrow, dropping and broken away, or just non-existent forcing us to bike just on the road side of the rumble bars - which with the large number of trucks on the road - was just a little scary!! In places where there was a shoulder the road surface was so rough it felt like my whole bike (and me) was shaking to bits! Not nice on an aging, aching body!
Our coldness was warmed as we passed where the Rotorua road joins in, and a car-load of Rotorua Zontians tooted and waved. They stopped a couple more times and cheered us from the roadside - really warming our hearts - but nothing was capable of thawing frozen, wet toes!! When we reached Clifton Court Motel, the Zonta ladies plied us with home-baking - and we are now seeking the recipe for the yummy sultana and walnut cake!
Clifton Court Motel welcomed us - and our unit had a bath - which was very welcome to thaw out frozen feet as well as enjoy a long hot soak. They made their laundry available for us to dry our clothes, and also allowed the bikes to be put in there for safe storage overnight! It is good not having to padlock the bike to the wheel of the Jucy which was what I had to do on several occasions across Australia.
Chinese takeaways were the menu for the night - and we were keen to get to bed pretty early as tomorrow's ride was predicted to be 140 kms. now its off to bed early as we have 140 kms!
PICTURES OF THE DAY:
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Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.
Albert Einstein |
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