Rotorua Redwoods

Notes:

Eagle vs Shark grew on me over my week in the Redwoods, to the point where it was the  focal point of my last run on the last day.

Eagle vs Shark starts at the shuttle drop off and runs down  to the intersection of Hill Rd and Redtank Rd / Pipeline Rd.   There is an alternate entrance (Shark) from Frontal Lobotomy and you can also exit  the trail slightly early and head for Tarawera  Rd.

On my  second run it only took me 8 minutes to ride however the trail runs 3.2 kms and  descends 240 vertical metres.  Eagle vs Shark requires an awful lot of  energy to conquer.  It is much steeper  and faster than Corners and has a  lot more bumps, jumps and rollers, it is a significant step up from the likes  of Split Enz and Tokorangi but shares some similarities  to Huckleberry Hound and Little Red Riding Huck.  

At the time  of riding (just a couple of months after opening) the trail was largely free of  roots with the exception of a few drops toward the bottom of the trail, this  may change over time.  Some of the berms  had braking ruts that could generally be avoided but again they may get worse  as more riders over shoot the corners.

The flow on  this trail is great but it does have moments of heavy braking and requires a  fair commitment along some of the traverses.

This trail  is highly recommended by it comes with a warning, the trip back to the bulk of  the trails is a fair effort.

Options

 
1. Redtank Rd / Pipeline Rd – this is by far and away the easiest       option.  Long fast descent and a       rideable but reasonable effort climb to the base of Hot X Buns and start of Be Rude Not To 2 .  From here you can       easily ride to the shuttle pickup via Pipeline       Rd or better still via Bunny Jugs
 
2. Lentil Link, Sidewinder, Direct Rd to Hot X Buns – take Hill Rd and turn onto the Lentil Link part of the way up the       first climb.  Lentil Link is easy, Sidewinder requires an abnormal single track climbing skill, Direct Rd is a fair but rideable climb.  Not Recommended!
 
3. Hill Rd – far too steep and long for me to climb but as it’s a well groomed       forestry road many riders will make it – but be warned it’s a big       climb.  From Hill Rd there are a number of options.
 
   
1. Turn right on Direct Rd and climb to Hot X Buns
   
2. Once on the flat section turn        left on Frontal Lobotomy and        climb up the single track to the Shuttle        Drop Off (I’m told it’s a fair climb)
   
3. Continue along Hill Rd until Corners or Little Red Riding Huck and descend to the shuttle pickup.
 

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