Mt Taranaki & The Forgotten World

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand and your North Island Adventure! Hopefully you should all have arrived yesterday and be ready to ride this morning, with any personal bikes built up and gear prepared. Meeting at a central location in Taupo, we'll start with an introduction and short tour briefing before loading up and heading off to Turangi, known as the Trout Capital of New Zealand reflecting its reputation for superb fly fishing (taking approx 1 hr). After a bike fitting and safety briefing, it's time for our first ride over the Te Ponanga Saddle and across the Tongariro Volcanic Plateau to the small town of National Park, the highest urban township in New Zealand. Along the way the views across to the 3 active volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaurahoe are spectacular, showcasing a unique World Heritage site, 300,000 years in the making. Arriving at National Park mid afternoon, there'll be time to explore the local area before our first group dinner Cycle : 52km, 962m, 100% asphalt

Meals:  D

Today is our first taste of real back country, remote, heartland New Zealand! Starting in civilisation, we end in the tiny Republic of Whangamomona (pop. 40 humans plus numerous other inhabitants), where a goat was once the President and which sells its own passports. The day starts with a 45 minute transfer to the start of the Forgotten World Highway in Taumaranui, the meeting place of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers and an important centre in Maori history. Built on colonial bridle paths formed in the late 19th century, the Forgotten World Highway is remote and mysterious to the extreme. "A bit upsy downsy" is how one local resident puts it - a classic New Zealand understatement to describe a road that hugs the rugged contours of the land to provide a natural roller coaster experience. We start with a 30km stretch of hilly farmland initially alongside the Whanganui River, the original 'highway' into this hinterland. The asphalt Highway leaves the river and winds up Paparata Saddle before descending into the beautiful Tangarakau Gorge, where the landscape changes from farmland to dense native bush. Rolling through the Gorge we ride through the single-lane Moki Tunnel, known locally as the 'Hobbits' Hole', over the Tahora Saddle and finish with a mostly downhill final few kms into Whangamomana. Tonight we'll eat and sleep at the Whangamomana Hotel, one of New Zealand's iconic country hotels. Cycle Options : The Forgotten World Highway, 100% asphalt Standard : Taumaranui to Nevins Lookout: 51km, +695m Avid : Taumaranui to Whangamomana 88km, +1407m

Meals:  B,L,D

Another stunning, challenging ride on the Forgotten World Highway, distinguished by 3 Saddle crossings, each worth stopping at the top to take in stunning vistas and catch your breath! Leaving straight from the hotel, it's just a short warmup before heading over the first Whangamomana Saddle, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape with a backdrop of beech and Podocarp forest. Next up is the Pohokura Saddle, named after a prominent Maori Chief and with views into the valley used as a large railway construction campsite. The final Saddle on our remote journey is the Strathmore Saddle which, on a clear day, offers stunning views of both Mount Taranaki and the Central Plateau. The Forgotten Highway finishes in Stratford, named after its English counterpart, but rather less iconic, although Shakespeare is reflected in the Street names and the Glockenspiel Clock. Later this afternoon, we'll head up the lower slopes of Mount Taranaki to enjoy the stunning views and mountain flora and birdlife. There is a diverse range of vegetation to observe that has developed in an environment of frequent volcanic activity. Cycle : The Forgotten World Highway, 63kms, +755m 100% asphalt

Meals:  B,D

The legendary annual Tour of Taranaki Cycle Challenge takes riders on a striking road race around Mt Taranaki, tackling the full 148km circuit in one day. Today's ride tackles upto 90k of the same circuit with the mountain continually changing its aspect throughout the ride. Because it is considered one of the most symmetrical mountains in the world, it is a very distinctive landmark. From Stratford we head almost immediately onto gently undulating secondary roads through pleasant farmland. With only a couple of small settlements along the way the road is shy of traffic and offers wide ranging views both of the Mountain and across farmland out to the Tasman Sea. Another feature of Mount Taranaki is its circle of encompassing dark green forest and some distance into the ride, we start to head further up the slopes and into the native bush. There are still peaks of the sea, but the native trees and ferns are a delight to ride through. Pukeiti Gardens is a Garden of International Significance with its world renowned collection of rhodedendrons and other exotics. After a lunch stop here it's almost áll downhill' to the vibrant city of New Plymouth. There may be some free time to visit Pukekura Park, the impressive Puke Ariki Museum or the Len Lye Centre before our final tour dinner at a local restaurant. Cycle Options : Around the Mountain, 100% asphalt Standard : Stratford to Pukeiti Gardens : 62km, +755m Avid : Stratford to New Plymouth: 89km, +811m

Meals:  B,L,D

The Kennett brothers have been pioneers in the development of all things biking here in New Zealand and they describe today's ride as one of the best loops in New Zealand, which is high praise indeed. This is where the locals ride and for good reason - it takes in rural New Zealand at its most beautiful. We start by riding up the coast on the award winning New Plymouth Coastal Walkway with crashing waves, and crystal ocean as far as your eye can see. Turning inland we'll experience the beautiful rich dairy country of rural Taranaki steeped in history, including the historic Bertram Suspension Bridge over the Waitara River and the Tarata Tunnel dug by hand in 1904 to enable residents to get to the valley from Waitara. Climbing up and over the Tarata Saddle, it's then an 18km rural rollercoaster through to lunch in the small town of Inglewood, founded in 1875, in a clearing in dense forest. After lunch, it's an easy downhill roll back into town where you can be dropped either back in the central city or at the airport for an early evening flight. Cycle Options : 100% asphalt Standard : New Plymouth to Inglewood : 66km, +927m Avid : New Plymouth Tarata Loop: 93km, +1080m

Meals:  B,L