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‘Twin’ cycle challenge

Travel writers and go wheel-to-wheel over bike modes as they tackle the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail from O¯ pua to Horeke in the winterless north.

Michael Lamb Owen Scott

Which is best: electric or pedal power?

Michael Lamb Pedal power

We were both cheats anyway. While Owen decided to go electric for our trip on the wonderful Twin Coast Cycle Trail and I went for oldschool leg power, by cunningly splitting the trip into two ‘‘downhill’’ sections, I figured his electric rocket would scarcely be called into duty.

Except there was a fatal flaw in my not-so-cunning plan.

But first to the trail: it is a joy. To go coast to coast across the top of the North Island is a special thing. We set out on a fresh autumn morning (following a brilliant night’s stay at the gorgeous, historic Paheke bed and breakfast in O¯ haeawai), and headed east from Kaikohe towards Kawakawa.

The old rail line cut through pleasant landscape – with a few gorse-covered paddocks for intrigue – and you could immediately sense the gentle downhill incline.

For me, the decision to go ‘‘manual’’ was, well, automatic. I had recently bought a decent allterrain bike (a Giant Roam) and when I saw the price to hire electric, it was no contest.

I gravitate to the simplicity of my regular bike: I like to think of it as ‘‘solar-powered’’ – after all, I eat vegetables.

And there is nothing to charge at the end of the day. No cables, fancy locks or extra insurance. Every metre is honestly won – hard won, if you are going uphill. And there is something to be said for that.

So, there we were, on the eastern side of the trail, which varies from old railway cuttings to less desirable roadside paths and back again.

By the time we cruised into the marae at O¯ tiria for a rest and drink, it was clear there was little difference between the two modes, mainly due to the flat-slash-downhill profile, though I am sure I was glistening with a touch more effort.

We cut through the back of Moerewa, a section slightly overshadowed by the abattoir and its accompanying pong, then across an otherworldly swamp into Kawakawa.

After a bite of lunch, we hopped on board the fantastic Bay of Islands Vintage Railway – with our bikes – and enjoyed the short clackety-clack trip to Taumarere.

Dennis, one of the indefatigable volunteers, offered enthusiastic commentary.

Then came the fatal flaw in the plan. A hammer blow – to my legs mainly.

With the Taumarere to O¯ pua section of the cycle trail closed (while train and bike buffs figure out how to get both modes through to the coast), we faced an awkward 9km section of road riding.

With two massive hills. Owen breezed it, I wheezed it. It was horrible.

As I wheeled my bike up the first vile bump, acidly named Lemons Hill, I could see Owen enjoying the armchair ride on his expensive, newly acquired Merida ebike.

The next day we shuttled back to Kaikohe, and began the ride to Horeke. This is the more scenic of the two halves and, due to my slightly cheaty way of starting each section at Kaikohe, also very much downhill.

It is a gem. Out past Lake O¯ ma¯ pere, a short 80-metre section of old rail tunnel for contrast, through the little village of O¯ kaihau and on along lovely paddock lanes.

A couple of hours later, after a massive downhill section and some beautiful riding alongside the Utakura River in the buttery autumn light, we arrived for lunch at Country Foods Cafe.

It is a grand name for a tiny kiosk, but it is full of joyousness: point-perfect lemonade, homemade toasted sandwiches and fluffy scones. Eaten at picnic tables by the river. Wonderful.

The trail towards Hokianga had some hard gravel paths and steep banks, before finally relenting into a lovely boardwalk over the mangroves into Horeke.

By the time we reached Horeke Hotel late in the day, after 82-plus kilometres of riding over two days, my legs were feeling it.

Owen looked like he could go out dancing. I was dead set on cold beer and putting my feet up.

So which is better – ebike or ‘‘normal’’? Neither obviously. If ebikes can get more people out there enjoying the trails, I am all for them. And if ‘‘solar power’’ means a hard won sense of satisfaction, that is nice as well. It is iron horses for courses – and I know if I was faced with a long, hilly ride, I would be reaching for the electric steed too.

Electric

Ah, solar-powered Michael. Listen to him. He has stolen my thunder. I am the one who is follicly challenged and so am sourcing power from my solar panel. He has a full head of hair.

When it comes to an argument over ‘‘real’’ bikes and ebikes, the two ‘‘Hs’’ come into play: hills and headwinds.

The Twin Coast Cycle Trail was my third cycle journey, each on an ebike. I am a convert and there is no going back. This last excursion was on my own steed, and I was super proud of it.

Three of us were on ebikes, three on Neanderthals. On the final day of the journey, the Es kindly offered the Ns an electric experience.

OPINION

en-nz

2022-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/286306823524112

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