Day 11 of TA - Walking the Waipapa Trail

Distance: 57 km
Elevation gain: 1,029 metres
From the town of Arapuni to the town of Mangakino
About 4.5hrs riding time, and 5.5hrs elapsed from 8:00am to 1:30pm 

I said my goodbyes to Karleen (host) and Carol (another guest) at the Airbnb in Arapuni.  It was very comfortable and relaxed sharing Karleen's house.  But another day in the saddle beckoned.   I expected a tough day because of the elevation gain but the distance was less (55km) than previous days (80+km).

The first 36km leg was on bitumen and gravel roads following the Arapuni Trail (part of the Waikato River Trail network).   Mostly climbing for 30km and then having a 6km downhill run.  The climbing was easier today than I remember in the days before Auckland - maybe I'm getting bike-fit at last.  A friendly magpie even gave me a warning shot at the top of the final hill to get me going, and the last 6km was fast, downhill on bitumen.  Probably too fast.  All up this first leg took about 2 hours including breaks.

The last leg involved 20km on the Waipapa Trail (another part of the Waikato River Trail network) and took nearly 4 hours.  This was horrible, and by far the worst section of riding so far along the TA.  It was more of a hiking (tramping) track and involved lots of switch-backs going up and down the side of the hill by the river.  The surface was rocky (think dry creek bed rocky) and uneven with washouts frequently making it un-ridable.  I spent a lot of time walking / pushing my bike and did have a small 'off' when one of the switch-backs got the better of me.  To help with grip, they bolted chicken wire in a section covering some large exposed rock that you are expected to ride up.  

There was one tree blown over the track that stopped me.  I started moving branches, but decided the best solution was to take the bags off my bike and move my load piece by piece.  Luckily, a group of hikers came along at exactly the right time and helped me out.  Saved me a bunch of time.   

Finally, when you are near the end, the trail runs through some recently logged areas.  Just like you imagine, and very unattractive. And as well as rocks there are burnt pine cones all over the track that are just as hard as rocks but roll far easier.  So awful.  

The rain came for the last hour or so, and wasn't a problem when riding in the thick forrest, but out in the logged areas there was no escape. I arrived in Mangakino very grumpy, so I went and had a decadent lunch at the bakery to try and lift my spirits.  It didn't help.

Tonight I'm staying at the Lake Maraetai Lodge in Mangakino.  It has 'YHA-vibes', with 30+ rooms and shared/common bathrooms, and shared kitchen spaces. I think I'm the only one staying here tonight.  A bit creepy.

Tomorrow I head into the heart of the North Island and probably won't have reception to publish a blog. There is also decent rain in the forecast so I may have a rest day in Pureora (the start of the Timber Trail).  See you on the other side.

Today's theme song is by The Veronicas - When It all falls apart
Everything is effed up straight from the heart  / Tell me what do you do when it all falls apart
What a sh*t day as The Veronicas say, Gotta pick myself up…

Start of the day at Arapuni Dam.  Spirits are high.



Now on the Waipapa Trail...
Looking back on just one set of switchbacks I'd just hiked up.

Safety Warnings were frequent on the track.  In some places the greasy clay made walking up the track almost impossible.

The logged areas were very exposed and unpleasant.   Note the pinecones littering the track.