Long Live The King! - BOP Excursions

Kingfish that is, read on...

Hot, Hot, Hot! It's been a great family holiday away with some big boys toys thrown in for good measurse. Fishing, Mountian Biking, Road Cycling, BBQ's, Hot Beaches, Games with the Family and tearing it up in the Old Man's Ford Falcom XR6.
Ate too much before Christmas had even started, BMI equation = Xmas Ham, Pav, Beer ADD TO CART. Any chance of a decent place at Nats REMOVE FROM CART, I'll deal with that in the new year ;)

Fishing:
5 of us taking 2 boats out from Tauranga Harbour Mouth. It was a 5:30am start packing the cars and boats ready with large Chilly Bin for ALL the fish we were to catch. That was half right! Boat No.1 (Which I was in had little success) my uncle blamed this on me having sunscreen on my hands when baiting the hooks... fishermans myths I tell ya! but there must have been some truth in what he said, as those without sunscreen hands came home with a couple of decent Kingfish, Kahwai, Gurnerd and a Baracuda (Roars of laughter when my stupid brother brought the Cuda into the boat, razor sharp teeth snapping at everyones feet)















Not sure Tyler was that impressed with the Kingy

Mountain Biking:
Oropi MTB Park -
GREAT single track with a decent pump track at the bottom of "The Pines". A good variety of Grade 2-5 level tracks with burms and jumps everywhere. I'd give it a 3 1/2 star rating, problem being is if you're a cross country rider you would get bored quick as the ridable area is smallish, I rode around most tracks in about 1hr 30mins. Otherwise fun burms and great jumps.

Tect All Terrain Park -
Tauranga are planning to open up a new All Terrain park on 1638 Hectares of land comprising largely of Forresty & Native Bush. Activities available will be mountain biking, rallying, motocross, firearm sports, 4x4, equestrian, tramping and orienteering. This is still in the planning stages at the moment with HUGE potential for some wicked single tracks in the future. If your passing from Rotovegas to Tauranga (Via Pyes pa Rd) its worth a stop in and chat to Jarron the park ranger who might even point you in the right direct of some trails. Freindly bastard gave me directions and a walkie talkie if I got lost, I was called "Mobile Tony" ok that was a little boring but was fun playing bushman for the day.
http://www.westernbay.govt.nz/Major-Projects/TECT-All-Terrain-Park


The Turner Flux Christmas/Birthday present was awesome!!!! rode like a dream. Pics below but am sure you'll all see it in the flesh next race (Enduro rd2 & 3, Nationals & Karapoti) Unless wife drops the sprog on race day then I might have to miss one ;D



























F&*king HOT bike!
Also went for a bit of a skid around the Nduro course in Vegas to prepare for the Round 2 on-slaght. A couple of hours of single track included Direct rd, Sidewinder, Lentil Link, Hill rd, Frontal Labotomy, Billy T, G Rock, Roller Coaster, Old Chevy, Blah Blah back to the carpark (Thanks for the directions Cabin ;)

Road Cycling:
Reid Rd, did a couple of road rides while I was up that way as Joel my coach suggested I do Reid Rd. A bit of ahill climb in the BOP, good fun except I got the start finish places posts wrong and ended up with a little extra climbing, oh well shit happens.

BBQ's, Hot Beaches:
The Mt turned on another stunning day so Jacinda (My wife), Tyler (My daughter) and I cruised down to a friends house on the beach front for a morning of relaxing, building sand castles and playing in the waves.

Lollipops Play Ground:
Loads of fun for Tyler & I here. Had a good 2 hours playing games with Tyler on the bouncy castle, ball pit, merry go round, play kitchen and much more... tired me out while Lil T was amping by the end (The energy of youth I tell you!) need to direct her energy onto a bike soon :D



















Right then so back to Wellies where there will be some hard training, DIY (Building a wardrobe in Tyler's room) and eating a whole lots less...:)

Take care all, and may 2010 serve up wicked trails, great friends and Naked Orange Picking Dutch Babes.

Tiger