Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Te Araroa 4/11/25

Day 41, Camp Epic to Ongarue Campsite(1042)

A grey start to the day but the sun soon broke through for a great cycle ride today.

Off on the trail 
A good track all day although it was a quite rough in places with a couple of wet bits to throw the mud about.
A narrow bit
The first section climbed up to 620m before a dip and a another short climb and then a relatively steady descent to Ongarue.
A downhill bit 
The descending route follows an old logging railway through some lovely cuttings and a couple of suspension bridges that have been built to replace the old trestle bridges that the railway used.
Suspension bridge
There was an old steam winch by the track, that was in surprisingly good condition and even the marine type boiler beside it wasn't too bad although I suspect that the two didn't originally work together.
Steam winch
A bit further on there was a spiral for the railway to gain height but unfortunately there had been a rock fall in the tunnel so I was unable to enjoy the full experience.
Another bridge
All too soon after that we had arrived at the campsite and returned the bikes.
A snack stop
Peter left after a chat and a cup of tea taking our rubbish, including my old shoes with him. Another trail angel.
At the campsite 
It was early so we had plenty of time to get organized, play cards, write a blog and things before it was time to eat and get to bed and rest my butt.
1000km and the shoes are finished





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