Trail Map (NZ Topo Maps)

White’s Bay is pretty much the first bay as you go north from Rarangi into Port Underwood. This is a really pretty spot. The campground is nice and quiet, and all the facilities are provided for by the Surf Club (flush loos!!). You can rent the entire club house out for $50 per night, which is a deal as it sleeps ten and has a million dollar view. 

The loop itself is a good challenge. The uphill is basically a pylon track with a number of pinch climbs. At the end of the road, it goes into single track, but the pinch climbs continue. 

Even though most of the ride is in primo beech forest, there are very few sports with a view over the bay and to the ocean. The top of the ride itself is a 3 way junction in the middle of the forest. 

The downhill is less steep and more undulating than the uphill, but is more technical. This means lots of roots, little steps and a few off cambers. As this was my first ride on this kind of terrain for a while, I have to admit it did my head in in parts. It is certainly a ride that I want to do again, and would have been interesting to have done at the end of the holiday to see if I handled it any better. 

There are some walking tracks around White’s Bay below the road that are off limits to bikes. This is a real pity because these would be great Grade 2/3 riding. Hopefully sometime soon!