Have you noticed the number of bikes strapped on the backs or roofs of cars this summer?.

What an amazing sudden change in holiday habits.  Every second car appears to have sprouted bikes.

It confirms the popularity of recreational biking for the whole family.

It also confirmed the original Government initiative to promote and sponsor so many bike trails based largely on the success of the Otago Rail Trail.

Last week I went fishing up at the Red Hut car-park and almost turned around by the number of cars parked there.

This car-park usually occupied by vehicles from anglers fishing the Duchess Pool or to provide access upriver to Boulder Reach, etc.  Photo on left is the lookout over the Duchess Pool on the TRB.

The car park was almost full but none were fishos.  They all had empty bike racks on.

So we had better get used to it.

We also wonder how long it will be before DOC give in to demand pressures and provide a bike trail across the Central Plateau?.

The accommodation is already there on the eastern Waihohonu side – quite large enough for a squadron of bikers – and there are ample options for accommodation and cafes etc. at Whakapapa Village – including their visitors centre.

On right are the Taranaki Falls on this trail.

A few years ago there was no way DOC would have considered allowing bikes in such sacred National Parks.  However they have seen the evidence of greatly enhanced visitor numbers on the South Island’s Heaphy track during summer months so it may be just a matter of time before bikes are crossing the Tongariro National Park…  Can’t wait.

(Above Red Hut bridge panorama from Jason Klivington’s iPhone)

For those bikers looking for a pleasant day bike ride in the wop-wops away from the crowds in serene scenery to a deserted beach in the remote Western Bays of Lake Taupo then Waihaha Trail – see slide show above – would be hard to beat.

Otherwise TRM recommends the 10 km Tongariro River Trail – swing-bridge to swing-bridge ride – see TRM video below – along the banks of the Tongariro River which can be extended to 13 km by incorporating the lookout track at the northern end.