TOUR BY THREE CYCLISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 3

TOUR BY THREE CYCLISTS

NEW PLYMOUTH MEN AT ROTORUA A second report from the three New Plymouth men, Messrs. Des George, G. Tuffery and G. Plutke, who are on a cycling tour of the North Island, states that they camped a night in the Government barracks at Arapuni. Next morning they inspected the hydro works. At 10.30 a.m. the tourists left for Rotorua, about 46 miles distant. For the* first nine miles the going was good on tar-sealed roads to Putaruru. Then they commenced to climb the Mamaku Ranges, a rise to 1800 feet above sea-level. That was a steady climb through beautiful bush. They arrived at Rotorua in heavy rain at 4 p.m. The cyclists made the next day an easy one, only covering 13 miles when they rode out to Lake Roto-iti, where they pitched their' camp. Although they had intended to erect their tent more often that was the first time they used it. An enjoyable time was spent with the Maoris, with songs and accordeon music. A large Maori mat was loaned to them, which they made good use of for then* beds. The beds consisted of fern for a mattress, with oilsheets and blankets. On Friday, a fine day, they. set out at 8.15 a.m. for Waihi, about 87 miles from where they had camped. It proved very bad at Te Puke. A puncture was the only trouble in three days. After dinner at .Tauranga the tourists left at 2.30 p.m. for Waihi, 40 miles further on. That a very hard 40 miles, owing to head winds, very bad roads and stiff climbs. Waihi was reached at 7.30 p.m.