Cape to Cape day seven: Piropiro to Waipapa

Route
Just before the end of the Timber Trail transfer to Link Road, then forestry roads and a foot track to Arataki Road, back roads to Lake Maraetai and Waikato River Trail to Mangakino, continuing on Waikato River Trail to Waipapa Dam.

Link to Map

Distance: 104 Km

Morning on the Timber Trail

It’s not raining at 8 am when I set out although the bush is still saturated.  The trail flicks between track and forestry roads for a bit before getting into the serious business of climbing towards the high point.  The bush is steaming as it dries in the morning sun.  It’s obvious that it’s no longer following an old tramway, the track surface has softened with the rain so it’s a little harder going and some sections are bordering on challenging with the narrow tyres.  A few steep bits require pushing but it’s good riding through gorgeous bush with spectacular gorges and occasional views across to Lake Taupo.

I haven’t seen anyone until I round a corner and a woman screams.   Not the usual reaction and she apologises at least three times before her bike disappears behind.  She’s part of a group of four, with light gear who have clearly set out from the road end very early. 

Another bridge another gorge - this trail is well engineered

The track sidles below the summit of Pureora (optional walk to the top) at about 980m before eventually dropping steeply, the bike handles the decent comfortably but there are increasing numbers of bikers coming up so some discretion is required. The bush edge is a marked transition and a reminder of how much damage logging does to the landscape.  Shortly after, rather than dropping all the way to the start of the track, I take Cabbage Tree Road and leave the Timber Trail behind with some regret.  Probably the most enjoyable single track of the whole trip.

Link Road leads across the northern flanks of Pureora (a bit up and down). The rain of yesterday is well gone and the sun has dried the gravel roads.  A few of the roads have changed a bit with forestry use but the trip notes work OK and my turn off is marked as leading to a YMCA facility and the centre of the North Island.  A short side road (marked) and a short bush walk (ridable) lead to a concrete post in the bush.  The plaques outline how the centre was found (see photo below); this was done in the ‘60s and you’d think that someone would have come up with a more accurate method since then!

The centre of the North Island?

Plaque one: who

Plaque two: how

On the way out three elderly people are sitting by their car having a rest from the excitement of seeing the centre of the island - they are as bemused as I am about the place.

The road drops steeply and I stop to chat with a chap on a single speed pushing up the hill.  Markus is following the same route in reverse, but as part of an around the world effort starting in Scotland.  We exchange notes about the ground we have just covered, which turns out to be quite useful for me anyway.  He’s heading to Queenstown via a few days in Wellington where he lived for a couple of years.  Coincidentally, the next day my cousin in Scotland sends a Facebook message asking if I have come across him.

The road finishes abruptly at a T intersection – to the left a gate and to the right an overgrown track, both marked as forestry roads in Google.  I follow Markus’ tracks down to the right it’s pretty rough going with blackberry invading the path and eventually seems to peter out.  I cast around and find some beaten grass dropping off the left of the track (marked in Google as a foot track) which eventually leads to an old (short) swing bridge.  This is where the GPS would have been helpful.  However, there’s a couple at the other side who confirm I’m heading for Arataki Road.  They live in Tokoroa and are out in the 4WD for the afternoon exploring a few places they hadn’t been for a while. They offer me a lift and water, which I somewhat regretfully decline. Twenty minutes later they pass me on the road and again offer the water, which I gratefully accept – it’s cold and doesn’t taste of plastic – bliss!

The route follows quiet, undulating back roads to cross SH 30 and join the Waikato River Cycle Trail along the shores of Lake Maraetai and into Mangakino.  There’s a bunch of people enjoying the lake shore at Mangakino at 3.30 and I lie in the shade in the heat for a good while before refuelling at the Bus Stop Café (decent toasties and the right cold drinks - Bunderburgs Ginger Beer and Lipton’s Iced Peach Tea).  Brother number 2 slept on the deck on one bike trip; the proprietor remembers that he was also through a few days ago.

A well provisioned bus stop

 The support team turns up having explored the back roads between Mangakino and Te Kuiti.  There’s an outside tap at the toilets by the bus to fill up bottles and it’s back on the road at 5.45 to the next section of the Waikato River trail.  Info is available at the trail website including a brochure with elevations. 

Leaving Mangakino

The Waipapa section is 19 km and graded advanced riding because of some steep bits.  It is a mix between single track and wide, soft logging tracks covered in a carpet of pine needles (watch out for pinecones and deadfalls).  Out of the heat of the day it is pleasant riding and the odd bit of pushing isn’t so bad.  The drop down to the edge of Lake Waipapa is entertaining and the far shore is basking in the late afternoon light.

Last light on day seven

The final run down to the Waipapa Dam is on a grit track beside the road and in the absence of traffic I take the road beneath the cliffs, arriving about 7.15.  It’s a bit of a cheat tonight, there is no identified accommodation around the dam but we have arranged to stay with brother number 2 in Cambridge so stretch the point on this occasion and head up Waipapa Road for a comfortable and convivial evening.

On stripping the bike down I discover that the seat bag has made a good start on abrading through the seat stays plus a few other rub points.  Probably not helped by the pumice hereabouts.  A few miles of tape, a bit of carbon fibre and a change in packing solves it for the rest of the trip.

Link to day eight: Waipapa to Paeroa