Rotorua Hub – 8th to 11th Sept 2025

Organiser: Rob Wylie

Cyclists: Simon B, Sarah L, Brian A, Catherine D, Dave W, Carol G, Livia M, June C, Owen S, Mike B, Janice F, Nancy R, Bruce R, Neale S, Lyn J, Bill C, Wendy C, Susan W, Marlene H, Janette L, Rob W, Clare W, Bob M, Greer M, Bill P, Sandra K, Athol B, Paul T, Jo T, Kay W, Colin Q, Ron J, Susan J, Warwick L, Maria J

Cyclists split into two groups for all rides as there were too many of us to be on the road at one time. Monday and Tuesday rides the two groups alternated the courses. Wednesday the two groups completed the same course, at an hour gap. Thursday each group did a different course. One 35km around Rotorua streets and cycle lanes. The other group completing an 82km via the Ohakuri Dam.

Monday 8th September 

Leader Simon: Around the Forest Loop. 38.7km Elevation 614m

Author: Sarah

With 32 keen riders the group were divided into 2 with both Simon and Rob leading- Simon to do the Forest Loop and Rob’s group to do Round the Lake on day 1 and reverse on day 2.    After the obligatory team photograph, Simon’s group set off only to find someone had a flat tyre which was quickly sorted.  The pace was good and we were enjoying the ride until we had a short stop.  The word was out that Simon had been seen to take a wrong turn uphill so a few went off to find him.  After a while it was discovered he had not done that at all but just followed the signs for FOREST LOOP and wondered why the rest of us hadn’t gone with him!  Consequently we were reminded to follow clearly marked signs at any intersection. 

Another thing to note on any forest ride – will your sunglasses cope with the constant contrast between light and dark?  For me at least, the sunglasses were  soon in the pocket until we were out on the road.  Whilst focusing on dos and don’ts for forest riding newbies – looking ahead 10-12 metres from your front wheel was another important thing to remember otherwise the corners become very difficult or nearly impossible!  Thankfully nobody fell off on the corners that I know of. 

My Garmin recorded 38.7km in total for the day with a very slow average speed as it was very much in and out and around about, 603m climbing and all unsealed except a small amount of concrete path towards the end of the day and once out of the forest.  One of the things that struck us most was the overall day temperature was much colder than Auckland and most of us started off with all our layers on and remained like that all day.  We stopped for a coffee at Blue Lakes Holiday Park – they were not overly happy to see us but beggars can’t be choosers as they say.  With only an office check-in to purchase takeaway hot drinks 16 freezing cyclists hung around close by trying to find shelter from the biting southerly wind off the lake.  Stunning scenery was all well and good but it was a relief to head back into the forest.  The next part of the track was very picturesque with the lake off to the left and very large old trees around us.  Not long after that we came across where the loop track exited the forest and we were following along the cycleway back to café and mountain bike hub.  Quite a few of us lunched there before a short ride back to the accommodation. 

Leader Rob: Around The Lake. 62km. Elevation: 392m

Author: Kay

The morning kicked off on the lawn at “The Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park” where 30+ keen cyclists had assembled for 4 days of cycling and assorted high jinks.

The milling,excited throng of riders,formed into 2 groups of roughly 16 each,with our coterie, being led by Rob.

Our mission was the 62 km loop clockwise around Lake Rotorua with a planned morning tea stop at The Okere Falls, and lunch at Eastwood Cafe at the stunning Scion building.

We began by weaving through Rotorua towards Ngongotaha,on mainly dedicated cycle trails, with the only glitch,a trail closure,which forced us onto the footpath beside the main road for 2 km, before picking up the trail again, and replacing heavy traffic with glorious Spring vibes.

Never having cycled this route before, the scenery with lots of flowering trees, lake views, and meandering paths beside the lake, and being often off the road ,was a special treat.

At the Okere Falls Cafe,we were very well catered for ,with coffee and Lumberjack cake, and upon leaving, checked out the Okere Falls,a drop of seven metres, the highest waterfall to be commercially rafted in the world.

That was probably a high point in other ways as SH 33 proved to be heavily trafficked and generously strewn with broken glass.

Luckily we made it with just the one puncture, and with relief, turned into Tarawera Rd ,and then into the Redwood Forest, for a balmy and relaxing cycle to our lunch stop, a 3 storey high,award winning building ,and headquarters of the Forestry Institute.

Lunch sorted it ,was time to return to the Holiday Park, a hot soak, and lots of fun with Simon’s Quiz evening, which was a great icebreaker,and an opportunity to air your general knowledge,or lack there of.

Thanks everyone for a terrific start to the weekend,and especially to all those who put in the mahi,to give us such a successful day.

Tuesday 9th September 

Leader Rob: Around the Forest Loop. 38.7km

Author: Colin

The forest people gathered, shivering, in the morning sun. A fine Rotorua day and the temperature one degree Centigrade. After many years of road cycling this was to be my first mountain bike trail. I looked at my fellow riders, all grey haired, the sort of people I would give up my seat for on the bus, and thought that mountain biking couldn’t be too difficult or none of them would survive.

At the edge of the forest we plunged into the deep shade of tall trees. It was so dark I could barely make out the path but after ten minutes I discovered that removing my sunglasses made the forest seem magically lighter.

The track was a narrow switchback snaking it’s way up the hillside. Soon a gap opened up ahead of me as the elderly riders accelerated away into the gloom with a whine of electric motors. None had yet fallen off, but I hit a post on the trail side, lack of vision added to lack of concentration.

Concentration was the thing! No daydreaming here! Eyes fixed on the trail five meters ahead, no chance to look at the view, or the trees, or the birds, and no elderly riders in sight because all had vanished up the trail ahead of me. Thirty five kilometers of this lay ahead, chasing elderly maniacs through a forest labyrinth. It was starting to feel like it might be a very long day.

At the shore of Blue Lake – water, grass, sunshine – we stopped for coffee. The next section of trail, said our leader, would be “the best bit.” Could it be “better” than what we had already endured? Rougher? Steeper? Narrower?

Now the trail sidled along a steep hillside dropping to the blue waters of the lake. Wonderfully tall, straight trees made up the forest here, but it was impossible to take my eyes off the trail long enough to admire them. Concentrate!

We passed a group of trampers sitting in line on a log beside the trail. They conversed happily, probably because they were walking not cycling.

Lunch was already overdue when we emerged from the trail onto a concrete cycle path. Concrete! If the gods had meant us to cycle on bare earth they would not have invented concrete. Down to Waipa we flew, tyres humming happily on the smooth surface, none of the elderly damaged or dismayed, probably planning to do it again next year.

Leader Bruce: Around The Lake. 60km. Elevation 365m

Author: Lyn

• Half of the 34 strong hub group, 17 cyclists led by Bruce, departed the Rotorua Thermal Springs Holiday Park. The morning was a cool 3 degrees with clear blue skies as we set off in a clockwise direction.

• The first section was navigating our way along back streets & trails through the back of Rotorua eventually reaching Ngongotaha township. Re-joining the lakefront trail we rode alongside the lake having lovely views across to Mokoia Island.

• After 33kms, easterly end of the lake, a welcome morning coffee break was enjoyed by all at Okere Falls Cafe.

• Once refueled our group continued along the southern side of the lake and into the Redwood Forest area. Some stopped outside the cafe at Scion (Bioeconomy Research Institute) for lunch while others returned to the campground.

• Most riders enjoyed a soak in the hot thermal pools to end an interesting day.

Quiz night photos

Wednesday 10th September 

Leader Rob & Bruce: Waikiti Hot Pools. 66.5km Elevation 1,073m

Author:  Wendy

Thursday 11th September 

Leader Neale: Rotorua City Loop

Author:  Catherine

A glorious day dawned for a grand tiki tour of Rotorua hidden byways and cycleways. While a second group completed a 81km tour to Ohakuri Dam and back

The first group set off sans raincoats and big smiles behind our trusted ‘Guide Neale ‘ with his faithful wife, Lynne, trailing behind scooping up any dawdlers and inattentive cyclists taking wrong turns 

The route was led at a leisurely pace with many informative stops, leisurely gaze and an intake of the odd sulphurous sniff. A gentle meander through Sulphur Bay Wildlife Reserve lead us to  the most spectacular cafe, Te Ahuru Mowai situated in the new Wai Ariki Hot springs and Spa- a magnificently designed and decorated building. We feasted like royalty before heading off around the Rotorua waterfront, stopping to admire a small overpopulated rockery of nesting shags, teal, geese etc. A real housing problem is going on for the Roroua Avian community.

Next treat was a stop at the free heated pool foot plunge at the Botanical gardens. A bit of hesitancy was soon dispelled when our mighty leader proceeded to strip down ( his Feet ) and plunge them into the luxurious heated foot bath. Of course we all had to follow suit. Glorious. The day proceeded without a hitch, well one flat tyre, but plenty of smiles all round.

Many thanks Neil, Lyn and Rob

To Ohakuri Dam and back – 81.2km Elevation 1,095m