Central North Island Trip 27/28 April 2002 Paddlers: Dave Alderton and Steve Dean This wasn't the biggest Kupe trip, in terms of numbers, in the last decade. In fact, come Friday night, we were down to two sensitive new age guys - Steve and me. Steve suggested we should take a mountain bike to do the shuttle. I thought we should take two mountain bikes and make a multi-sport weekend out of it - surprisingly he agreed. You know you're getting old when you pull into Taupo, check into Rainbow Lodge at 11-30 pm and DON'T head into town for a few bevvies. In fact, it was us that were being kept awake by partygoers in the Rainbow Lounge. Up at sparrows, a hearty breakfast of fruit and muesli and on the phone to see what things were flowing at - ("believe it.....or not"). Kaituna was an option but with the previous week's rain, it was running at 900 on the gauge and the rafts stop rafting at 500. So, off we went to paddle the Rangataiki (we had silly little boats - and yes, we're getting soft and spongy). Leaving our boats and paddling gear at the top get in, we dropped the car at the middle get in (deciding only to paddle the good stuff) and then biked back up to the boats. Steve quickly discovered that when you're climbing up steep 4 wheel drive tracks and the sun has just come out, you don't need a full set of polypro, and those famous "Superman" togs to keep warm. The paddle itself was awesome. The flow was about normal but we made the most of every surf wave and play spot on the section. After a gourmet lunch (jam sandwiches, bananas and tea) we headed back to Taupo for stage two of our multi-sport event. Mountain biking at Craters of the Moon. I'm not sure whether Steve particularly enjoyed the steeper climbs that we did but he was certainly getting into the downhills. We had, or should I say, I had a bit of excitement on the way back down the track to the carpark. Whistled at a dog (sort of Border Collie size but with clearly many other breeds in its genetic make-up) that was sniffing something over in the bushes as we passed it in a taunting sort of way. As it turned and started to chase after me, I thought - no worries, I'll just go a bit faster, it's downhill after all. Anyway, this mongrel must have had some greyhound in him coz I ended up going flat out and he was right there, snapping at my ankles. Clearly beaten, I stopped pedaling, as it's owners called it off (Steve was cracking up laughing). Moral of the story - don't tease savage dogs while riding on a mountain bike, unless they are tied up, have short legs, or the track is really steep and you can go faster than 55km/hr! After nearly being eaten by the mongrel dog, a couple of beers were "earned" - just like in the DB ad. Followed by a few games of pool and darts and a huge feed at the Cossy club before settling in to watch the Hurricanes completely outplay the Warratahs and still manage to lose the game through the ineptitude of our All Black "heroes" Lomu and Cullen. Less than impressed, we headed into town and somehow found ourselves kings of the pool table in the pub on the corner that used to be called Axis. Eventually, after a few more beers and the odd Butterscotch Schnapps we were given a sound beating by two drunken locals and retired to fight another day. Sunday's start was not quite as early as Saturday's. After another healthy breakfast (no greasy fry up) we checked Ngawaparua but it wasn't flowing so we decided to do the standard Access 10 run on the Tongariro. "Standard", that is, except for the 40 minute uphill bike shuttle beforehand. Steve, concerned about the security of our paddling gear, kindly offered to sleep beside it while I did the shuttle. It wasn't quite as cold as we expected for the end of April, we managed to find a few fantastic surf waves on the way down. As we got out we found ourselves getting changed and loading the car in torrential rain with thunder and lightning. Fortunately, DOC have built a flash new toilet at the get out which made the perfect changing room - shame there are no hot showers - maybe a letter to DOC. Thanks for organizing the trip Steve. For those few who didn't go - you missed a cracker. Dave A (PS: I won't comment on the rumour about Steve's boat getting "sucked off him" at canoe polo).