Taupo: A road and mountain ride

January 10, 2017

While in Taupo we did not have access to Internet so there was a gap in my posts something that may happen again. We arrived here Sat afternoon from up north. The journey was uneventful until we came across another traffic incident 10km from our destination but this time we had a detour route so only a 20min delay in meeting our friends. Once settled here we went for 9 holes of golf at the local pitch and putt. We each played with 3 clubs and a putter. This was repeated again the next day because we were thrashed on round 1 but we won round 2. Sunday we went for a 46km ride in the Kinloch area near Taupo. The ride was mostly just up and down with 2500ft of climbing over that short distance. The message here is beware of a Kiwi who says the ride has a few kick ups. The kick ups, 4 in total, were all over 10%. There were several other hills just not so note worthy. Monday we played real golf this time at an amazing course called Wairakei which is on the outskirts of Taupo. I was a bit pricey but nonetheless when will I play here again (breadsticks). The course is completely fenced off to make it predator free so many of the native bird species can thrive. It is a great layout and in spectacular condition. It is also reasonably hilly and a good walk. Unfortunately we lost the match again but only 1up this time. Patti and Sara went for a mountain bike ride in the afternoon but I opted out because my knee was a little sore from walking the hilly golf course. Tuesday the weather especially the wind finally improved enough for Patti to have a ski on Lake Taupo albeit a short one because it was still choppy. Mid morning i borrowed Sara's bike to do my first ever single track mountain bike ride on the Kinloch to Whakapio Bay (W2K) track. We road up to the top and back down from Kinloch, about 13km.

The Merino wool shop in Tiramau on our way to Kinloch.

Groceries for four amongst all of our suitcases etc.

Ham was not to be outdone by a Canadian.

Ham and me on the bike trail, a whole new experiece for me.

Today's ride: 59 km (37 miles)
Total: 345 km (214 miles)

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