"Mountains to sea" Cycle trail hikoi
Contact Details
www.mountainstosea.co.nz
Mobile: 021466486
phone: 0800483292 0800 teawa
email: info@whanganuiriver.co.nz
Mountains to Sea - Nga Ara Tuhono Celebration Hikoi April 26th, 27th & 28th 2012
The Cycle Trail partners, invite you to attend any or all of a three day hikoi to celebrate the completion of the Mountains to Sea - Nga Ara Tuhono cycle trail. Starting at Turoa Ski Area, Ruapehu and
Itinerary
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Day 1 |
Old Coach Rd/Fishers Track/Ruatiti |
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0900 hrs |
Official start @ Ohakune Junction |
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1130 hrs |
Group splits, Group 1 leaves for Ruatiti Domain, Group 2 buses to National Park Village |
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1200 hrs |
Group 2 leave National Park for Whakahoro |
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1500 hrs |
Group 1 arrive Ruatiti for overnight stay |
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1600 hrs
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Group 2 arrive Whakahoro for overnight stay
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Day 2 |
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0700 hrs |
Group 2 leaves Whakahoro |
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0800 hrs |
Group 1 leaves Ruatiti Domain |
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1100 hrs |
All meet at Mangapurua / Kaiwhakauka Track junction to unveil Pou |
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1200 hrs |
Depart Mangapurua / Kaiwhakauka Track junction for Whanganui river |
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1530 hrs |
Depart Mangapurua Landing for Pipiriki |
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1700 hrs
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Arrive Pipiriki for overnight stay
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Day 3 |
Pipiriki to North Mole |
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0700 hrs |
Leave Pipiriki for Whanganui |
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1500 hrs |
Completion ceremony, Tasman Sea, North Mole - Whanganui |
SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR EACH DAYS JOURNEY
Day 1 –26 April Turoa Skifields to Ruatiti & Whakahoro |
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0730 hrs |
Mountains start & karakia at Turoa skifield carpark
Safety Briefing |
Cyclists can choose to start here or at Ohakune junction. Ngati Rangi – Opening ceremony and karakia Note: This section subject to weather conditions, Plan B start at 0900 hrs from junction |
Car park to Ohakune Junction - Distance: 17kms Grade: 2, Sealed Road but may require skills particularly if conditions are sketchy
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0900 hrs |
Official start at Ohakune Junction |
Cyclists can start here after official ceremony |
Ohakune Old Coach Rd, Ohakune Junction to Horopito – Distance: 13.6kms Grade: 3 15% sealed, 85% formed track on old bench, some surfacing (scoria) |
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1130 hrs |
The group splits into two |
Group 1 travels to Ruatiti via Middle road & Group 2 travel to National Park Village via transport |
Group 1 Horopito to Ruatiti Domain – Distance: 30kms Grade: 2 10% gravel road, 90 % sealed road (900m on SH4) |
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1200 hrs |
Depart National Park for Whakahoro |
Group 2 upon arriving in National Park township Note: Rest stop at Retaruke memorial |
National Park township to Whakahoro – Distance: 45.8kms Grade: 2 18% sealed road, 20% formed track on old bench – some surfacing, 62% gravel road |
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1500 hrs |
Approximate arrival of Group 1 at Ruatiti |
Group 1 arrive at Ruatiti |
Overnight free camping available at Ruatiti Domain. Water supply, toilets & some BBQ’s |
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1600 hrs |
Approximate arrival of Group 2 at Whakahoro |
Group 2 arrive Whakahoro |
Overnight accommodation options available in Whakahoro |
Day 2 -27 April Mangapurua & Kaiwhakauka section, Pipiriki + unveiling of Pou whenua |
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0700 hrs |
Group 2 Departs Whakahoro |
Group travels through Whanganui National Park via Retaruke Station to Kaiwhakauka/Mangapurua junction Note: Cyclists participating on this day should be experienced Mountain Bikers |
Whakahoro to Kaiwhakauka/Mangapurua Track Junction - Distance: 17.5kms Grade: 3, 50% on farm road, 50% on formed track
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0800 hrs |
Group 1 Departs Ruatiti Domain |
Group travels through Ruatiti Valley to Kaiwhakauka/Mangapurua Junction |
Ruatiti Domain to Kaiwhakauka/Mangapurua Track Junction - Distance: kms Grade: 3 58% gravel road, 50% on formed track (minimal surfacing) |
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1100 hrs |
Unveiling ceremony |
Unveiling of Pouwhenua at Junction Whanganui iwi – unveiling ceremony & karakia
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Dignitaries join hikoi on site using 4x4 vehicles and quads. Cyclists may wish to have lunch following ceremony. |
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1200 hrs |
Depart Junction for Whanganui River |
Kaiwhakauka/Mangapurua
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Junction to Mangapurua Landing - Distance: 26kms Grade: 3 100% on formed track (minimal surfacing) |
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1530 hrs |
Depart landing for Pipiriki via Tieke Kainga |
All cyclists travel via jet boat down river to Tieke Kainga for brief stop off. Note: Boat transport to Pipiriki should be pre-booked |
Jet boat transport down river to Pipiriki approx 45 mins not including stop off at Tieke. |
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1700 hrs |
Arrive Pipiriki |
Hikoi arrives in Pipiriki for the night. |
Overnight accommodation options available in Pipiriki and down the Whanganui River Road & Raetihi |
Day 3 –28 April Pipiriki to Whanganui. Total distance travel today 85 kms |
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0700 hrs |
Depart Pipiriki for Whanganui |
Travel via Whanganui River Road
Note: Rest stop (Toilet) at Otamaire campsite between Koriniti & Atene |
Distance: Pipiriki to Hiruharama (Jeruselum) 15kms Hiruharama to Ranana 5.6 kms Ranana to Matahiwi 5.7 kms Matahiwi to Koriniti 7.7 kms Koriniti to Atene 11.0 kms Atene to Parikino 11.6 kms Parikino to River Rd kiosk 8.9 km’s River Rd kiosk to Whanganui East Rail Bridge 10.9 kms (start of cycle path) Rail Bridge - North Mole 11.0 kms (predominantly on cycle path)
Grade: 2 17% gravel road, 71% sealed road, 12% cycle path |
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1500 hrs |
Completion ceremony |
Gather at North Mole for completion of Mountains to Sea Hikoi Whanganui iwi – Karakia and close off ceremony |
Refreshments |
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1730 hrs |
Catch up and dinner |
Gather at the Red Lion Inn for a catch up & a meal Note: Bookings for dinner should be made to 06 348 4080 |
45 Anzac Parade, Durie Hill, Whanganui |
Contactact us if you have specific queries by email to info@whanganuiriver.co.nz
Or let us know if you want to join us on the Hikoi by email to cnorgate@doc.govt.nz
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Do I need to register?
A. No – but please leave your intentions with us if you are going, this way we will know how many people to expect. You could email Connie or Sandy cnorgate@doc.govt.nz or sandy@visitruapehu.com and register with them.
Q. What do I need to bring?
A. In addition to your bike you will need to supply your own food and drinks, tent and sleeping bag etc if you have not already pre-booked accommodation.
Q What level of experience do I need to have?
A Some mountain biking experience would be an advantage for Day 2 on the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka sections, the rest of the ride would require a good level of fitness particularly if you are doing the full 3 days.
Q. My pack might be quite large if I am bringing food, drinks, tent etc. Will I have to transport my own gear?
A. You can put your pack on the support vehicle & trailer that will be available every day but we suggest that you carry a day-pack with your essential goodies for the bike ride. Please be sensible with the size of your packs as space on the trailer will be limited.
Q. Do I have to book a jet boat from Mangapurua to Pipiriki?
A. Yes indeed – this is absolutely mandatory if you are cycling this leg. The Visit Ruapehu website lists available transport operators.
Q. Are there toilet stops along the way?
A. Yes there are toilets at central points on all 3 days. Make sure you pack some toilet paper though!
Q. What medical facilities are there?
A. There will be basic first aid kits in the support vehicles, and radio communications will be available for serious emergencies.
Q. Can I get cell-phone coverage?
A. Only on high points on Day 2. Coverage is mainly non-existent in most of the places you will be cycling through.
Q. What do I do in an emergency?
A. There will be support vehicles leading & following the cycling group/s on all three days should you need assistance. They will have direct radio communications with Department of Conservation staff based in the Whanganui Area office at all times.
Q. Can I bring my own support crew?
A. Most certainly however we do ask that they take extreme care around the cyclists.
Q. Will it be postponed for bad weather?
A. No however the Kaiwhakauka - Mangapurua leg may be closed if heavy rain occurs closer to the hikoi. All other cycling legs will continue in adverse weather – just be prepared to get wet and dirty!
Q. What happens if I want to pull out halfway through?
A. Just let the support crew know and they can transport you to the closest station so you can make arrangements to get home.
Q. Can I join in the hikoi anywhere or do I have to cycle the whole 3 days?
A. You are welcome to join and leave the hikoi at any stage however please let one of the support crew know of your intentions (they are the people in yellow fluro).
Q. What happens if I get a puncture or I have bike troubles?
A. You need to bring your own puncture repair kits. There are also going to be MTB blowout experts at the two refreshment stops on Day 1 & 3 for assistance with more serious problems.
Q. What happens if I am a really slow rider?
A. There will be a support vehicle travelling as the “tail-end Charlie” so no-one gets left behind. There will also be a cut-off time for riders on the last day so that everyone can get to the end of the hikoi (at Castlecliff Beach) before the sun sets!
Q. Is there accommodation available along the way?
A. Yes but you need to book that yourself. Accommodation providers are listed on the Visit Ruapehu website.
Q What will I do for food over the 3 days?
A You will need to organise your own food. There will be BBQ facilities available. Some operators are offering catered trips, buffet dinners, Bed & Breakfast & cut lunches. Please make sure you organise all of this before you go.
Q. Is the hikoi suitable for children?
A. The cycle legs are graded 2-3 and in some parts would be a challenge to novice riders. We are expecting family groups to join us on the final leg through Whanganui (from the rail bridge) to Castlecliff where the “Mountains to Sea” hikoi will end.
Click here to view map
Accommodation providers on the final day section have put together an overnight option for the night of Friday 27 April which includes transport from Whanganui or Pipiriki, dinner, bed and breakfast and a packed lunch for the final day. Dinner will feature local specialties and all those taking up this package will be ferried to a mystery locality for an evening of great food and conversation with those who have made the area their home. email info@whanganuiriver.co.nz for more information.
Alternatively Whanganui River Adventures have a Friday evening meal option combined with an overnight stay at their Camp Site in Pipiriki.Email info@whanganuiriveradventures.co.nz for more information on this option.
Click here for details
Facilities
Map