TRM have been asked again about the biking trail packages locally for the July school holidays. They are less than a month away so it is time to start planning…
A typical dilemma – Family from Australia – Dad wants to spend a week fishing and Mum & kids want to go biking the trails and may include skiing?.
Every school holidays we get such requests, so there are sure to be others looking for the same info… TRM can look after Dad but need to make arrangements for the bikers so we bring in the experts for something special.
So where to start? There are so many firms and so many trails…
There are several options with some operators providing a full package out of Taupo but these guests want to base it from Turangi, so SWMBO referred them to Jonny at BBBB…
There is nothing like local personal experience… from a specialist.
BBBB – described as the “Hub” for your holiday biking experience
Jonny 021 02363439
BBBB have a custom designed van and trailer set up to service and drop-off at the start and pick-up at the finish of several trails locally. You will not find some of these on any brochures.
Strongly recommended –
BBBB Shuttle Service
They can get you to your bike, hike or ski experiences.
They have two vans, an 11 seater Hiace and a 7 seater “luxury” El Grande van. Each can tow one of two custom bike trailers or a fully covered trailer to where you need to be.
Alternatively there are other more structured packaged deals which we have plucked off the net to provide some idea of the options available from Taupo where families need to fit in with their programmes – such as:
“Chris Jolly Outdoors” –
A Multi-Day Biking Package. The Great Lake Taupo region offers amazing biking experiences via its many year-round mountain biking trails and they have the knowledge to ensure you have a fun time enjoying them.
Chris Jolly Outdoors is now offering a multi-day biking package where we will arrange everything to make your biking holiday a wonderful experience to remember. Let us take care of all the logistic hassle. All you have to do is pedal and enjoy the ride.
Price : $720 per person, based on a min of 4 people, twin sharing
Package includes:
- 4 night accommodation at a 4 star hotel strategically located within the heart of Taupo town centre
- Daily breakfast
- 3 days of biking
- Shuttle and transfers to all the trails
- An accompanying rider
- Picnic lunch on Day 3
Can be arranged on request at additional cost:
- Bike hire
- Restaurant bookings
Our itinerary is structured as such so that you can enjoy biking during the day and still have time to relax or explore the town in the late afternoons/evenings.
Itinerary:
Check in the night before at your accommodation, conveniently located within walking distance to the lake edge and the town centre.
Free day to explore Taupo town.
Day 1
Great Lake Walkway
To get you warmed up we start with a leisure ride along the edge of Lake Taupo on a pathway out past 5 mile bay to Waitahanui. The Great Lake Walkway is a fairly flat shared track where you can take in the amazing scenery of the lake and mountains with plenty of picnic and rest areas along the way. Great photo opportunities or dip your toes into the hot water spots. This trail is 10km and takes 1-2 hours.
Tongariro River Trail
After biking the Great Lake Walkway, we will shuttle you to the township of Turangi (40 mins south of Taupo) where we will take you to the best café in Turangi for an early lunch before riding the Tongariro River Trail.
The Tongariro River Trail is a gentle Grade 2, 15km loop track on mostly flat terrain with a few small undulating climbs. Highlights include riding over swing bridges, watching anglers fly fishing in the Tongariro River and visiting the Tongariro National Trout Centre (optional). The trail will take around 2 hours to complete.
Day 2
Huka Trails Rotary Ride
Today we will ride the Huka Trails Rotary Ride to the Aratiatia Dam. This Grade 2-3 trail will take you along the Waikato River as you climb up through native bush, emerging to stunning views of the native bush and river below.
The trail follows a gradual downhill towards Huka Falls and then on to Aratiatia Dam which is another 7km away. The flood gates on the dam open at 10am, 12pm and 2pm (with an extra 4pm in summer). It is a pretty impressive sight so we will time your ride appropriately.
After Aratiatia Dam, you then ride back along the other side of the river. There is a lovely café just before Huka Falls called The Hub where you stop for a cup of coffee before continuing a short ride down to view the majestic Huka Falls, the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand.
After viewing the falls we then continue riding back to the start where the shuttle will be waiting.
Allow 5 hours for this entire ride.
The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Day 3
Great Lake Trail
Today we will take you on an epic mountain biking adventure riding the Waihaha-Waihora section of the Great Lake Trail, voted one of the most popular trails of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network.
This Grade 3, 30km section, will take you through native bush, towering volcanic rock cliffs, spectacular views and a waterfall hidden deep in the Waihaha Valley. The trail has been built with flowing corners, fun downhills and some short switchback climbs to keep you on your toes.
Picnic lunch stop will be at one of the amazing vistas.
At the end of the trail is a beautiful, remote Waihora Bay where our Bay2Bay water taxi will be waiting. Many bikers have said that the cruise back on the lake to Kinloch is the perfect way to end the day.
The round trip will take approx 6-hours.
The hot pools may be a great way to finish the day, followed by a meal in one of Taupo’s boutique eateries and some celebratory wines to top off your awesome biking adventure.
There are several other notable trails not included – such as the W2K, 42nd Traverse, Timber Trail, etc. but these are more technical and difficult to access so are limited to club bikers rather than tourists. For those looking for something more personal and adventurous:
Tread Routes:
Cycle Trail Tour • 4 days • 97km • Grade 2-3 • $1200 per person
Highlights:
This tour combines the easier sections of our amazing cycle trails. It is designed for riders who may not have the fitness or cycling experience to complete the full trails but still want to experience the amazing scenery and places. The tour takes in iconic NZ scenery including The Tongariro River, the Tongariro National Park, the Pureora Forest Park, and Lake Taupo. You will ride along historic coach roads, bush tramways, purpose built cycle trail, and single track.
Inclusions:
- Round trip transport from Taupo – Taupo accommodation is not included in the tour. Ask us for recommendations.
- Baggage transfers to and from accommodation – for the nights in between riding days (while away from Taupo).
- 4 guides rides – our experienced guide will ride with the clients and provide historical and geographical interpretation along the way, as well as some bike skills coaching if desired. A guide is also critical to safety management throughout the tour.
- 2 nights of accommodation (in between riding days) – Remote lodge accommodation is used at the Timber Trail.
- 3 meals – 1x dinner, 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch (for the Timber Trail portion).
Tour description:
Using the popular tourist town of Taupo at the base and start finish point, you will be shuttled to and from trails in the most iconic places in the Central North Island. The rides have been custom picked by our expert guides to make up a collection of rides for people who want shorter less challenging rides that what we offer in our other tours. The tour is designed with a leisurely pace in mind and provides opportunity you to experience stunning places without the intense challenge of the doing the full length of the cycle trails (for example: not the full 85km of the Timber Trail). Time will also be allowed for you to enjoy restaurants and cafes throughout the tour. The rides range from 15km to 45km in length (the longest day is 45km on the Timber Trail, while the other 3 rides range from 15-20km). Clients must expect to be on their bikes from 2 – 6 hours per day (with an average of 3hrs). Travel/shuttle time per day ranges from 15min to 2.5hrs.
Please note: The tour includes one ride that is a Grade 3 / Intermediate mountain bike trail, while the rest is Grade 2 (the Grade 3 ride is the last day of the tour on the Great Lake Trail). For all rides, some off road riding experience is essential.
Duration: Day 1 pick up approx. 9am, drop off approx. 3pm on day 4. Exact times may vary.
Prerequisites: Moderate fitness level, and some off road riding experience.
Bike hire: We have quality well maintained mountain bikes for hire: Hard tail / front suspension $200 for four days. High end full suspension mountain bikes $400 for four days.
What trails do you service?
All the best rides in the greater Central North Island. Visit our trails page to see our trails.
Where are you based?
Taupo. It is the ideal central location to do trips to the amazing range of trails that the Central North Island has to offer.
Can I hire a bike?
Yes. We have our own fleet of high quality well maintained bikes. Hard tail and high end full suspension bikes are available. See our bike hire page for more info.
How much does a shuttle cost?
The price of a shuttle seat depends on where you are going and how many people are on the shuttle. All our shuttle pricing is on a sliding scale, the more seats you book (the larger your group size) the cheaper it is per person. Tell us what trail you want to ride, what day you want to ride, and how many people you have in your group then we will give you a quote. Minimum group size in 2 people.
What is the minimum group size?
Two. However if you are just one rider, contact us anyway as we may already have a shuttle going to the trail you want to ride.
What is the best way to do a “Great Ride”?
Since most Great Rides are multi day trails, the best and easiest way to organize services is to book one of our packages. Our all inclusive packages are cost effective, easy to book and have lots of options.
Where do I find accommodation?
We will book it for you as part of a package, or we can make recommendations. Our packages include accommodation for the night(s) in between riding days, and have options for extra accommodation before and/or after you ride.
If you have a group already going, is it cheaper for me?
Yes. If we already have a shuttle doing exactly the same transport that you require then we will give you discount from the standard rate for your booking. Contact us for a quote.
I’m traveling alone can I still do a bike ride?
Yes. If you don’t have the minimum of two people you can either: join transport that is already happening for another group (may or may not be on your preferred ride/trail) or you can pay for the minimum rate of 2 people for transport (there are no minimums for bike hire if combined with any of our other services).
I don’t have a group can I still use your services?
Yes. We are happy to provide our services for just one person, however the minimum rate of 2 seats for transport still applies. (Unless we already have a shuttle doing exactly the same transport you require).
Why would I want transport from Taupo?
Taupo is a great central hub to explore the Central North Island and has many attractions within itself. There are place where you can park your car overnight that are safer than some of the car parks out at the trails. Taupo has lots of accommodation and restaurant for the nights/days before or after you ride. In many cases transport from Taupo is not a lot more expensive than getting a one way shuttle out at the trail.
Can I meet you at the trail?
Yes. If your travel plans make it convenient for you to meet us at the start of end of your chosen trail, we will meet you there for transport and will bring any hire bikes you require (hire bikes must be booked in advance). For some trail we can include secure parking in your package.
I’m looking for an easy to intermediate bike ride, what should I ride?
Start by reading about the Timber Trail, Great Lake Trail, and Mountains To Sea Trail. They all have sections that can be individually.
Can you help me choose a ride?
Yes. Contact us and speak to one of our guides, we will help you choose a ride that suits your cycling ability, time frames, and travel plans. Also visit our Trails page to read about various trails.
Do you provide all inclusive packages for multi day rides?
Yes. We provide package with any or all of the following: transport, bike hire, guiding, accommodation, meals, baggage transfers, and water taxis (where applicable).
Can I hire a guide?
Yes, we have a team of experienced guides. Our guides will not only show you the way and help keep you safe, but also provide some historical and geographical insight during the ride. Guides will also provide some bike skills coaching if desired.
If I only want to hire a bike, is that ok?
Yes, however a minimum number of bikes hired may apply depending on which trail/location you want the bikes delivered too.
Can I pick up a bike on the day?
If you are hiring a bike is must be booked in advance.
If you require bike hire only (no transport etc), then we will deliver and pick up the bike at a pre planned location and time (Ie: trail, accommodation, car park, etc).
If we are meeting you at the trail, we will bring the bike on the day.
If we are picking you up from your accommodation, we will have the bike already loaded onto the shuttle and it will go with you to the trail.