Trail head in Pureora – weather was very kind, perfect riding conditions. I had been suffering from the flu a few days before so was a little nervous as to how the body would cope with an 85 k day ride!

First 13 kms is a steady climb through beautiful pristine forest – climbing from 400 to 1000 metres

Sections of the trail were lined with beautiful protostrum flowers – you know, the ones with purply bell shaped flowers up the stem – or are they called Fox Gloves? Heck, I was moving to fast too tell!

The 13 k + section had some fun winding downhill sections – to be sure though, it was not all downhill. Little climbs here and there kept the heart rate honest.

The Kiwis are doing a fantastic job carving tracks through their amazing wilderness areas – making it possible for cyclists to soak it all in on their trusty bikes! A symbol of their commitment to the cause, this bridge cost over $400,000 to swing! There is another one almost as long and something like a total of 7 on this trail. What can I say? The Kiwis have got their priorities sorted! Now, lets ride over this bridge together ….

View from one of the spring bridges. It’s a long way down but the bridges felt pretty steady – more so on the bike than walking!!! (Trust me, I know about these things!)

An Antox bar, an Energiser drink and it’s time to hit the trail again!

Rich in dark chocolate, antioxidants and berrys – gotta love the AntiOx bars (available at Coles or on line)

Timber Trail gets its name from the fact that in years gone by a thriving timber industry made it’s mark in these forests. A large portion of the second half of the Trail exists because it was created for Tramways to move out the logs. It’s a flattish, fast section with very fine railway cuttings that nature has decorated nicely over the years since the railcars stopped running.

Timber Trail has these blue kilometre posts – over 80 of them actually. I didn’t think they were necessary (a working speedo does the job!) but kinda got to like seeing them blur as I flashed past em.

Start of the Tramway section – with spare wheels (probably left from someones old 26″ bike!)

View from the top of the Ongarue Spiral – The Spiral was used to get the Tramway up this steep pinch

Inside the Ongarue Spiral

Soooo at home! (note the second water bottle – saves weight in the back pack but it does get covered in mud down there from the front wheel)

I’ve used a Front Wheel Cam for this final bridge crossing ….

During the last 10 kms of the trail the forests thin …

… and give way to pastoral lands

Almost at trails end

The Timber Trail is a really good ride through the forests of Pureora. They have done a great job preparing the trails – they are smooth, interesting, picturesque and very ridable. I’ll be back – and may even bring a friend to share it with.