Hauraki Rail trail & rotorua

Watch the full episode on the Hauraki Rail Trail & Rotorua on SBS on Demand now.

Thames at the Coromandel Peninsula was the starting point for our Hauraki Rail Trail experience. The crew filled up at 'Melbourne Cafe' for a taste of home before Deetz and I fumbled around prepping for the bike packing trip. We loved the seaside feel of Thames, but it was all systems go along the farmlands. After a passionate discussion with a local farmer it was a nice roll into Paeroa. That night the town put on a show for us at the Refinery. We're talking fine food, fine wine and DJ's! The party kicked off when Deetz started dancing and the DJ pumped up the volume.  

Lemon and Paeroa AKA L&P is a famous (in NZ) fizzy drink. The next day we discovered some big news... Paeroa is a town... not a fruit like we first thought. Moving on we rode the trail up to Waihi through the Karangahake gorge. Stopping off for lunch at the Falls Retreat Cafe for delicious paddock to plate food. That afternoon we moved into the Waitako region, roding into Te Aroha and discovered the unique soda mineral springs to recover from a big day on the bike. 

Let's be very clear... I love the Lord of the Rings and on this day we were riding to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton! I couldn't contain my excitement and it didn't disappoint. We met up with Shane, the general manager who gave the whole crew Hobbit outfits! We got into Hobbiton and it completely blew our minds. It was so well done and it's a must visit if you visit the North Island of New Zealand. We finished the tour at the Green Dragon Inn pouring fine Ale and having a hearty feed. 

With Hobbiton in the rear view mirror and the geothermal marvel on the horizon we arrived at Rotorua! I've been coming to this area since 2006, so I love coming back and checking out the riding and new trails. We met up with Tuk at Mountain Bike Rotorua and he took us on an E-Bike tour on the new Forest loop. His knowledge of the area was so insightful and he really gave us a sense of what Rotorua is about unlike any other time I've come here to race. Oh and the burgers at the Airstream Cafe are world class!  Deetz and I peeled off at the secret spot hot tubs because we had become addicted to the local post ride recovery... They even had hot tub service for refreshing drinks. 

Another day and another chance to learn about Māori history and culture. This time we went to Te Puia for a guided tour by Karhu of the huge geyser. They also surprised us with a steam cooked meal! With a full tummy it was time to turn it up to 11 at the Skyline Gondola. We met up with the real Lewis Hamilton (local MTB rider) and did an insane jump line called Mr. Black. Deetz decided that 50+ men shouldn't jump so he just watched and heckled. 

After the riding it was time for the Giant Vandy Challenge and it was on THE LUGE! I hadn't done the luge for over 15 years and it was wayyyy more scary than I remember (mainly because I was too big for the cart! hahaha It was me versus the local pinner Debbie. I won't spoil the finish, but it was close! 

That was it for another week on the road in New Zealand! We had a blast filming the Hauraki Rail Trail through the Coromandel and Waikato all the way through to Rotorua. It was such a diverse episode with a range of riding and unique experiences. The crew were really getting into the swing of things on the shoot and I'm sure it will come across on screen. YEWWW!!!