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New Zealand 2016
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Our differing cycling paces meant we got a little separated on the downhill to Whangamata Bay, and we re-convened at a narrow wooden bridge at the hill's base.
Layers of soil
Back uphill
Whangamata Bay
From here, a short bit of uphill followed by an equally short downhill brought us to the shore of Lake Taupo once again, this time on Whangamata Bay (and we finally saw other souls - hikers - along the track just before arriving at the lakeshore). The K2K track emerged into the open alongside a long section of beach, with expensive-looking lakeside houses on a small bluff above us - signalling that we had arrived on the outskirts of the town of Kinloch.
courtesy BConnell
Whangamata Bay Lookout
Last bit of downhill
Back next to water
Outskirts of Kinloch
Cycling past the occasional beach-goer, we arrived in a few minutes at the central park in the town, busy with summertime visitors and fairly bustling with activity. Hankering for something sweet to quench our thirst, we made a beeline for the first corner store like-place we saw, then parked our bikes next to a nice, shady park bench.
Bayside Trail
Arrived, Kinloch
We gave Andy a ring. Fortunately, he and Andrea and Jenn had finished their day's activity (paddle-boarding on Lake Taupo), and was at the house relaxing. He jumped in one of the vans and was sidling up to us within about 25 minutes. With bikes dissassembled and loaded into the van, we headed back to our rental house in Taupo. Many thanks, Andy.
Mt Tauhara
Humorous NZ advice signs
Lakeside Drive
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Great Lake Ride - click map to view
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Great Lake Ride - click to view
Cycle Data - Orakau and K2K, Great Lake Ride
Start Time: 10:23a.m.
End Time: 2:02p.m.
Duration: 3h38m
Distance: 18.18 km (11.3 mi)
Average Speed: 5.0 km/hr (3.1 mph)
Start Elevation: 1621ft (494m) *
Max Elevation: 1699ft (518m) *
Min Elevation: 1190ft (363m) *
End Elevation: 1196ft (365m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 602ft (183m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 1081ft (329m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Our final evening in the Taupo area was one of packing, relaxation, and fine dining. We ate dinner at a nearby restaurant called Ploughmans, and were quite satisfied with the place. Virtually all of the dishes we ordered were of very high quality (www.ploughmans.co.nz).
House Lounging
House Lounging
Final Taupo Dinner
Dinner at Ploughmans
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[ Return to New Zealand Home page | Intro | Hobbiton | Home Base North | Hawke's Bay Cycle Tour | The Taupo Area | Waitomo Glowworm Caves | The Rotorua Area | Tongariro Alpine Crossing | The Great Lake Ride | The Capital - Wellington | Crossing the Cook Strait | Tasman Great Taste Ride | Rain Day in Nelson | Abel Tasman Kayak and Hike | The Great South Drive | Aspiring National Park Backpack | Queenstown | The Routeburn Track | Epilogue | The "Short Report" | GPS Data ]

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