A UNIQUE CYCLE TRIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 7

A UNIQUE CYCLE TRIP.

NAPIER TO AUCKLAND.

Two Wairarapa —Messrs. Hector Nioolson (Carterton) and Geo. Culien (Masterton)—arrived in Auckland yesterday, having concluded a rather memorable cycle tour thiough New Zealand's wonderland. Starting from Napier on Sunday, they reached Taupo that evening, doing the 103 miles in about 14 hours—no easy matter when the dusty roads and steep hills en route are taken into consideration. A broken chain delayed the pair about an hour and a-lialf on. this journey. Proceeding to Wairakei early next morning, the two cyclists spent the Uay viewing this beautitul and wonderful place, continuing; on to Kotorua in the cool of the evening, and making the latter 'place at about haltpast eleven o'clock, after a walk of 12 miles through the heavy sand covering the road after leaving VVaidtapu. After spending two days at Kotorua in sight-seeing, the cyclists pushed on, reaching Iluntiy on Thursday night and Auckland at midday yesterday. Jk>me good times were put up by the pair, and the Napier-Taupo trip has not previously been performed in ono clay within the recollection of people living on the road. As regards the country passed through, the travellers report that an unprecedented drought has been experienced in. all parts, and at some boasts tney were, unable to procure a drink of water. Mr. Nioolson was at Rotorua last year, where he spent two months, and he considers that it is a very different place to what it was then. Only one geyser plays with any certainty, and to ensure a really pleasurable trip the journey to Wairakei .should be included. In this sublime spot the geysers are now playing with regularity and power, and the guido has the time of each to a nicety. Tourists to Kotorua are apt to be disappointed by expecting to see all the geysers in Whakarewarewa in operation, and as this cannot be done they would naturally give others a bad impression unless Wairakei were visited. The drought has played up severely with the roads, and cycling on them is a long way from pleasure, with exceptional short stretches, of courso.