// STAGE 05
Mangakino to Owhango
The Timber Trail
Mangakino → Owhango
ERICA // TNT
“Stay safe”
Day 10
Everyone's legs were feeling a tad fatigued today and with approximately 1700 metres of climbing and 85 kilometres, they were no better by the end of the day. Riding the Timber Trail was magic — just the accompaniment of the bird trills and the crunching tyres on gravel. I managed to stack it twice and can honestly say I am perfecting the technique of falling while sustaining only bruises. My legs have a myriad of various shades ranging from purple to recovering green and yellow — they will never be model legs. Multiple swing bridges of various lengths; I gritted my teeth and went for it (not my favourite). We are bedding down in glamping tents at Cape Epic that have the most amazing showers — roofless, so you can appreciate the canopy of nature overhead.
Day 11
An easier day. Cold start with the winter woolies on; a cosy sleep in the glamping tents at Camp Epic, which were well set up with a big kitchen and great showers. We had used our emergency food supplies for dinner the night before but breakfast was provided — eggs, cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Gradual climb up, then downhill, with gentle climbs; the track was a bit rutted in places and the upper body took a hammering. Hands still sore and gear changes a bit tough today. Flowed down into Ongarue for morning tea, then on to Taumaranui for lunch and a restock of food and snacks. Lloyd and I took the road section to Taumaranui and on to Owhango to rest our legs as the trail was gravel and demanding. Accommodation at the Owhango old post office — another gorgeous, beautifully appointed historic house, complete with a spa which was most appreciated. Lasagna and roast vegetable salad ordered from the local cafe and delivered to us. Washing and bike cleaning done. Falling into bed exhausted again.
LISA // TA TWINKLERS
“Rinse, reset, repeat”
Day 11
An easier day. Cold start with the winter woolies on; a cosy sleep in the glamping tents at Camp Epic, which were well set up with a big kitchen and great showers. We had used our emergency food supplies for dinner the night before but breakfast was provided — eggs, cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Gradual climb up, then downhill, with gentle climbs; the track was a bit rutted in places and the upper body took a hammering. Hands still sore and gear changes a bit tough today. Flowed down into Ongarue for morning tea, then on to Taumaranui for lunch and a restock of food and snacks. Lloyd and I took the road section to Taumaranui and on to Owhango to rest our legs as the trail was gravel and demanding. Accommodation at the Owhango old post office — another gorgeous, beautifully appointed historic house, complete with a spa which was most appreciated. Lasagna and roast vegetable salad ordered from the local cafe and delivered to us. Washing and bike cleaning done. Falling into bed exhausted again.
DION // TA TWINKLERS
“Toodle pip”
Day 10
85 kilometres and 1700 metres of climbing. Toughest day yet — climbing, climbing, climbing. This was the day last time where I rode all the way from Mangakino to Taumaranui, 160 kilometres, and for the life of me I cannot get my head around how I managed that. Just getting halfway this time nearly killed me. The Timber Trail is really rough with heaps of storm damage, which just about vibrated me and Camp Mother to pieces. Glamping at Camp Epic under canvas was great — I was in bed by 7:30pm.
Heaps of kilometres, heaps of climbing. Been in the bush basically — hence the radio silence. Camp Mother and I have been bashed but thankfully not crashed, apart from hitting a rock on the Bridge to Nowhere Trail that nearly catapulted me over a 50-metre cliff.
