Hauraki Rail Trail ride

Start of the ride

Well what a neat day today, we got up early and made lots of food for the ride and set off to Waikino, which was an old gold mining town in the early part of last century. 
Some walked while some rode bikes and with Mum and Dad as support crew we were off. 
We took turns to ride bikes then sit in the car. Lunch was at the end of the long tunnel, fortunately then have now got lights in the tunnel. When I last was in there many years ago then were none and it sure was dark. 
10km further along we got to Paeora for a nice hot cuppa, then pretty much at 10km intervals we stopped at Hikutaia, Puriri, Matatoki and at each stopped checked in with our service team of Mum and Dad. 
Then it was left up to Aaron and I to complete the ride right through Thames and onto Mum and Dads house.
What a fantastic day with amazing scenery and great riding surface. The rail trails are a great experience and great for NZ !! 
If you would like to know more about the Hauraki Rail Trail take a look at this website - http://www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz/

On the river bank at Paeroa

Motorized Mountain bike on car roof

I am not sure how many people have put a moped on a car roof rack but today we gave it a try and it seemed to work just great.
We are planning some rides next week so wanted to try it out and make sure if we could put all the bikes on the little Toyota Starlet. It looks like it should all work.


I have been in the process of getting the bike registered as a moped. Well it is quite a challenge as all the regulations changed a year ago. The Transport dept implemented a new set of rules for mopeds. The problem is no one seems to know what they are. I have been told to contact a number of people and none of which seem to know. Several people have said to me "just ride it and dont bother to register it". I have however been wanting to do the right thing, so more investigation I think is required !!

Tawharanui Regional Park ride

Today it has been a beautifully fine winters day, in fact you would think that it was summer, although the temperature gauge doesnt lie, it read only 15 deg C as we drove up to Tawharanui Regional park.


We researched about the bike ride before we went and it said that the ride was great for bikes. Well it wasnt quite what we expected it was more of a 4x4 track through a very hilly farm, but we loved it and the last part was really beautiful through some native bush. We were to discover later that we were not supposed to ride through there.... too late.

The start of the ride

Adam making his way up a long hill