After over four thousand kilometres of riding it, I thought it was time to reward my Trusty Ibis Ripley for being a thrilling companion on so many mountain biking adventures in 2014. Sure, I wash it, I take care of it, I shout it visits to the LBS, and I purchase more bike bling than I care to admit …. but what would be a special way to show my appreciation to this “so ridable”, “so stealth” and “so hunky” a 29er?

Why, fly the Ibis across the Tasman and introduce the Ripley to the unrivaled trails of New Zealand, of course!

So this Xmas, that’s exactly what we did. The Ripley survived being partially dissembled then packaged in a cardboard  box, it survived being stuck in the hull of a plane and elevated to 30,000 feet, and then it passed the rigours of NZ custom officials (“Bike? Clean? Straight through please”) before acclimatising to the North Island.

While “The Big Ride”, the all day 100 kilometre ride, was on the Timber Trail (post to follow!), one of the shorter “fill in rides” turned out to be a real “side show” highlight!  What a trial it turned out to be!

The W2K trail – Whakaipo to Kinloch – is part of the Great Lake Trail on the edge of Lake Taupo.

 

The sign is pretty accurate in it’s description of the ride: “The trail climbs steadily through native bush onto the headland, providing great views across the lake. Once on to the top of the headland, you have the option of riding the popular “Headland Trail” before the trail starts a long flowing descent back to the lake edge. The trail is typified by stunning scenery with views across the lake and along the lake’s edge. Grade 3 – fairly wide, smooth trail. Some sustained and intermittent gentle climbs …”  (I’m not too sure if the “gently climbs” would have been my word choice – “climbs steadily” said it better in my opinion!)

Just as I set out on the ascent a solid steady rain began. It lasted about ten minutes – just long enough to remind me how lucky I have been with the weather on each cycling trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud. It didn’t unduly affect the track, except for that puddle I found (see Previous Post).

The track is smooth and while it is widish by single track standards, it is only wide enough for one bike for sustained riding – i.e. room enough to pass someone coming the other way if you see them coming! And that’s perfect, for you are riding right next to the native trees and feeling very much like you are right in the forest yet with no fear of getting your wide handle bars wedged between the trees!

I didn’t have time to do the Headland Loop, so stayed on the main track and rode down the other side of the headland to Kinloch Bay.

The ride down to Kinlock was as pretty and stimulating as the ride up – again, kilometres of smooth twisting flowing forest lined single track but this time with a downhill bias. It was a blast as I refused to listen to those demons reminding me I would have to ride back up this track!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A board walk led onto the very pretty Kinlock Bay. But I had no time to loitre. I took a quick pic, a quick drink then turned the Ibis round to take on the ascent back up the headland.

Spurred on by the track and the environment the return climb was not as arduous as I had feared. Part way up the headland I took a moment to record some thoughts, impressions and advice for anyone who may be contemplating doing this ride in the future:

All in all, I did a 30 kilometre return ride through some of the choicest trail I have ever ridden. I couldn’t help wondering if the other 60 kilometres could possibly be as picturesque and bike rider stimulating as the cycling wonderland I had just been immersed in for the last two hours. If they are, and even if they are only half as good, this series of trails is most aptly named the “Great Lake Trail”!

For my final word on the W2K trail (for now) take a look at my parting video comments: