4 December

The next part of our journey is the Whanganui River part. Most people walk out to Whakahoro then canoe down the river to Pipiriki or all the way to Whanganui. We have canoed or kayaked most of the river before so as there was also a mountain bike option we decided to do that but took it a step further and did the trail called Mountain to Sea where we mountain biked from Turoa Ski Field to the west coast sea at Whanganui. We had a great time but long days on bikes. The first day 1st December (the first day of summer )we started while it was snowing cycled down to Ohakune then did the Old Coach Road cycled out to a  place called Rautiti stayed at a backpackers the night. 7 hours cycling! Our bottoms were objecting. Was about 65km. At least our feet got a rest lol.
The next day we cycled the Umapara Track to the Bridge To Nowhere and really enjoyed that track. It wasn't too technical and was really beautiful. Took us 5 hours and then we had to take a jet boat 32km to Pipiriki where we stayed at the camp ground there run by the jet boat operators Whanganui River Adventures. Great place and Josephine Ken and Thomas friendly helpful people.
The cycle shop we hired our bikes from in Ohakune called TCB got our gear and a trailer out to Pipiriki for us to carry on to Whanganui. Ben helped us with all the logistics of the trail. The next day we cycled the Whanganui River Road to Whanganui again another big day. We had planned to stay at a Doc campsite along the way but it was right next to the road so felt a bit vulnerable so decided to keep going to Whanganui. We stopped at an old historical flour mill met some  locals having lunch and got invited to share lunch with them which was lovely.  The last part of that day was 15km on high way 4 which was pretty busy. We stayed at backpackers in Whanganui for couple of nights at a place called Tamara Backpackers a really nice place.  The next day we had to finish our cycle to the sea part which was pretty shit as the trail along the river from town to sea just takes you through the industrial area of Whanganui.  We cycled back to town and went up in Durie Hill Elevator which is an elevator built in a hill.
We met up with Loic from France again and some Americans all on the Te Araroa Trail at the backpackers. It is nice catching up with others on the Trail and hearing their stories.