Britton Adventures around Ruapehu 4 day Trail Ride delivers some really diverse Central North Island trail riding including' steep grassland and many kays of tight native bush trails. The ride began and ended in National Park with overnight stops at Ohakune, Turangi and remote Black Fern Lodge. Typically after a very dry previous few months it rained (at some time) on every day of the ride, making the trails all the more slippry. Assisting Mike and Angela Britton was trail boss Pesky Kempthorne. Pesky has been riding in the area longer than anyone can remember and is master of all terrains, seasons and trails the region has to offer.
This is a 1000 km plus trail ride and not a mission for those who tremble at the thought of slippery trails and tight bush. Though some parts of the ride are fast and open terrain, there are also many hours of tight single track and some rough, steep farmland to negotiate. The best way to imagine this ride is to strong four or five one day trailrides together in one course and then to repeat the experience for four days on the trot. To enjoy a ride like this you need sound all round trail riding skills, very good bike preparation and the mental attitude to go out on a long fuse - ie this is no 35km blast around a groomed trail. We spent a good six hours in the saddle on three days and more like eight on day three. However, if you like your rides a little more challenging than average and can get your head around the idea that using a few km of public roads to link trails can open up a wider off road horizen, then book in with Britton Adventures for next season.
Thanks to Chris Stephens for the fabulous still photos and Shaun Stanbridge for the brave helmet cam footage.
www.adventurerides.co.nz
This is a 1000 km plus trail ride and not a mission for those who tremble at the thought of slippery trails and tight bush. Though some parts of the ride are fast and open terrain, there are also many hours of tight single track and some rough, steep farmland to negotiate. The best way to imagine this ride is to strong four or five one day trailrides together in one course and then to repeat the experience for four days on the trot. To enjoy a ride like this you need sound all round trail riding skills, very good bike preparation and the mental attitude to go out on a long fuse - ie this is no 35km blast around a groomed trail. We spent a good six hours in the saddle on three days and more like eight on day three. However, if you like your rides a little more challenging than average and can get your head around the idea that using a few km of public roads to link trails can open up a wider off road horizen, then book in with Britton Adventures for next season.
Thanks to Chris Stephens for the fabulous still photos and Shaun Stanbridge for the brave helmet cam footage.
www.adventurerides.co.nz