Hauraki rail trail

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xpd

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#278502 20-Oct-2020 08:21

Has anyone here done the Hauraki Rail Trail (Through the gorge, Waikino, Waihi) by mountain bike ?

Is it reasonably flat ?

I was in the gorge over the weekend and really liked the area, and wouldnt mind doing the trail by bike, but my being out of shape (round is a shape is it not ?), hitting hills would kill me ;)

XPD / Gavin

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#2588098 20-Oct-2020 08:36

Being a Rail Trail, I can't imagine that there's too many big hills as old trains wouldn't have coped with that in their day...assuming it only follows the old tracks.

And their site states this: The Hauraki Rail Trail is one of the easiest trails in the country to cycle, with the 197km track made up of 5 sections.

What level of fitness do I need?

The Grade One (Easiest) trail, is suitable for all ages, fitness levels and cycling abilities. The Trail is predominantly wide, flat and smooth, with a gentle gradient, making it suitable for everything from children’s bikes and uprights, to touring bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes.

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BlueShift

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#2588105 20-Oct-2020 09:00

I've biked it from Te Aroha to Paeroa, and around the Karangahake gorge. As above, its pretty flat, even the uphill bits are long and shallow. If you can ride a bike around the streets, you can ride those trails as long as your bike has decent tyres.

Do it! Take some keen family or friends, your bikes, park up in the gorge and go for a ride. You won't get lost, there's some pubs and cafes in the area worth aiming at. And biking through the long, long, long mine tunnel is a freaky experience.

xontech

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#2588234 20-Oct-2020 11:41

My family (not me) rode through that tunnel about 3 weeks ago, they've sealed it and put lights in, which is probably safer but doesn't sound anywhere as much fun.

But yeah, my wife, on an e-bike, and 10yo son, on a kids mountain bike, did a 2 day ride from Waihi to Te Aroha and loved it. Stayed the night in Paeroa. Two days makes for quite a relaxed, no rush ride.

russelo

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#2588238 20-Oct-2020 11:50

I've done Paeroa to Waihi return on the same day.

It's relatively flat...a ride in the park. Lots of ebikes cruising by.

xpd

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#2588249 20-Oct-2020 12:07

Thanks all, will look into it for the new year. :)

XPD / Gavin

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