there was talk about heading back into the Whirinaki forest for a while now; well actually the talk started before we finished our last ride through this stunning trail as we probably didn't want the ride to finish already. but winter was just around the corner and it was too wet and cold and the days too short to mission out to this super scenic ride, or we are just plain too soft :). so we decided we would get another Moerangi ride fix as soon as it was becoming warmer again, and here we are :)
on the way to Minginui; the Moerangi trail takes you through the hills in the background, yes there might be a little bit of climbing involved ;) it's all worth it though! I promise!
it's always very exciting and satisfactory to take someone on a ride they haven't done before, it's like giving someone a present, as in the perfect scenario it will put a smile, or even better a huge grin, on their face which is awesome to see. so this time we had Gisby, Maurice and Zack as our virgin riders. Fiona, Jason, Gaz, Mike, Rob and me made up the rest of the group.
our convoy is driving up to Jail House Farm Stay, nice and easy to get up in the car, it feels a little harder on the bike at the end of the ride, nice when you made it though ;)
as expected Scott from Jail House Farm Stay was already waiting for us when we drove up his steep driveway, it doesn't feel that steep in the car though. and there was also Nicole Lehnherr, a Swiss cycle tourist waiting there for us to arrive, amping to check out this amazing ride, she had ridden in from Rotorua the day before, unlike us lazy buggers who took the easy option of driving here. through the ride we were so impressed with her as she was motoring along on her slick tires and her reasonably heavy bike as if it was the perfect trail for her bike. she's only just started her 2 months travels through NZ so watch out as she'll become even fitter!
we picked the perfect day for our ride as it was stunning weather; warm and sunny with a few clouds around to prevent if from getting too hot.
i thought the forest was even more vibrant and all the plants were growing new fronts or shoots, it was so impressive that it was hard to keep your eyes on the trail.
we all had a great ride with no major crashes or other incidences so it felt like a nice relaxing sunday ride, as it also was :)
this was on another ride through Moerangi, when Gaz decided to check out the view from the bottom of the gully as he was sick of looking down it. it was early on in the ride so Gaz was happy he had gotten his crash over and done with already and could now enjoy the rest of the ride :) that part of the track is now called Sulli's gully.
and yes our virgin riders all had a big grin on their faces and talked about coming back for more, just like the rest of us. that's what mountain biking is all about, days like this!
this is us after the ride, enjoying the sun, the super delicious fruitcake that Claire, Maurice's partner, made and went down a treat while reminiscing about our ride, and planning the next one ;)
ps: if you are wondering why there are no pics of the ride it's because the battery of my camera started to dye just when we were going to leave for the ride, perfect timing - not! oh well next time i will be better prepared ;) it might be a run rather then a ride through the trail though, just for a change.
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