I had ridden the Timber Trail before so knew what to expect, but that trip had taken two relaxing days and I was on a mountain bike. This time was much more tiring. However, I was lucky with the weather again, and the Pureora Forest and wonderful suspension bridges made the first half go quickly.
Suspension Bridge, Timber Trail
Again I was loosely riding with Brendhan, Quin and Rob. We also came across Steph at one point but we were riding at different paces.
Quin on the move.
From my previous trip on the Timber Trail I remember really enjoying the second half which seemed to have a lot of downhill. I didn’t enjoy it so much this time on my cross bike. By mid afternoon I felt like I had had a beating. My neck and upper back were really tired and sore so I was happy to stop off at Ongarue bowling club where the locals had set up a bit of a cafe. I had a nice cold soft drink and an egg buttie. Steph and Rob also were there, but because we were all going at our own paces I rode to Taumarunui by myself. It was a really nice afternoon and very peaceful except for a maniac in a Ford Falcon who luckily was travelling in the opposite direction to me and stayed mostly on his side of the road.
Hilltop cattle.
As I rode through the outskirts of Taumarunui I was really looking forward to a nice comfy bed in a nice comfy room somewhere in town. It was not to be. As I rode by Forgotten World Adventures I saw Quin so I stopped to see where they were going to stay. Turned out there was a big school reunion happening in town and there was not a spare bed anywhere. The people at Forgotten World Adventures were really helpful and phoned the campground to check they still had spare tent sites. The also had a hearty stew for TA riders in exchange for a donation for charity. I only had a $10 note but was more than happy to pay that for some hot food. I bought some more dinner at the supermarket and very slowly biked to the campground.
