Cycling along the Hauraki Rail Trail - Day 1

 Today was the beginning of my Hauraki Rail Trail adventure.  The sun was shining, there was blue sky, with a good share of clouds, so a perfect day for cycling.

Rolling out of Matamata, my first stop was the historic buildings around the Firth Tower.  I didn't take time to explore inside the buildings, just a quick walk around the gardens.

My plan was to ride out to the Wairere Falls before actually joining the Rail Trail.  Apparently the lookout was just 15mins up the track, so I could easily do that and then get onto with the further 30kms ahead to Te Aroha.  As I approached the turn off, I spied the waterfall spilling down from the very top of the ridge on the Kaimai range.  Wow!  well, I guess the lookout is at the bottom of the Falls.

I arrived at the car park, locked Hennie to the fence and confidently headed up the narrow track.  After 15 mins, there was no sign of a waterfall, though a small creek rippled down alongside the track.  Maybe just around the corner.  Or the next corner!  The track was quite steep, muddy in places, but continued ever upwards, clambering over moss covered rocks, dodging trip hazards, but still no sign of waterfalls.  There was one bridge over a bubbling creek, quite pretty but definitely not a waterfall.  After an hour of struggling ever upwards, I asked a couple who were coming down, how much further - the reply was about 20 - 30 mins!  Really!  Well being strong and stubborn, doesn't mean one has to be stupid.  I had already used up a lot of my time - and my energy - and I have seen a lot of waterfalls in my life.  It was time to quit and turn around.  So I turned back, cranky that I had spent too much time on this diversion.

Eventually I was back with Hennie and soon we were rolling northwards.  Thru green fields dotted with cows and sheep, an English scene with oak, birch, popular and weeping willows.  Starlings, sparrows and blackbirds competed with the Indian mynas.  I did hear lots of kingfishers though and saw the flitting flycatches, so some NZ touches.  Almost missed out on lunch as I arrived at Cafe 77 moments before they closed their doors at 3pm, but managed to get a spinach tart, a magnum and short black. 

Then onwards to Te Aroha! The Rail Trail was really pleasing.  I had been worried about the "cinder surface" but it was smooth and not loose, really easy to ride on.  The wind was a little annoying as it was rushing across the empty fields and hitting my left ear and eventually full in my face.  But soon Te Aroha appeared and the motel was just ahead.  Phew - arriving much later than planned, but after a hot shower and a shopping trip, scoring a cider and small cup of chips, life is not too bad!

Apart from the hiccup at the falls, the rest of the day had been quite pleasant and the Rail Trail well signed and very comfortable - so the days ahead are looking good!