Rotorua Redwoods

Notes:

The biggest  problem with Hot X Buns is not the  roots, nor the ruts, nor the shoots, nor the steeps, nor the drops, the biggest  problem with Hot X Buns is that it  takes so much energy to get to the top that you have nothing left to deal with  the terror that awaits you on the trail.   (Tips on how to get to Hot X Buns below).

Hot X Buns begins at the top of Direct Road however it doesn’t descend immediately, the full trail  climbs up to the top of the hill.  There  is a short cut that runs around the hill and connects up with the main trail at  the beginning of the descent.  The climb  is not highly trafficked, has a heavy cover of pine needles and in my opinion  isn’t very rewarding. In future I will take the short cut.

Hot X Buns is the most Enduro trail I’ve ever ridden.  While the technical descents I will describe  shortly are amazing the punchy and often rooty climbs sap any remaining energy  making the whole bottom-to-top-to-bottom experience of Hot X Buns EXHAUSTING.

With  regards to the descents it was the most challenging ride I did on this  particular trip.  By far and away the  toughest trail I’ve ridden in the forest (tougher than Corridor and required far greater bike control than Billy T).

The  descents are generally pretty steep, actually some are VERY steep and at the  time of riding the trail was damp making extra nervous about grip, but that was  insignificant compared to the challenge of riding the enormous volume of  slippery roots.  Roots mean drops/steps  and as you can see in the video there are plenty of them, often on corners or  in areas where you desperately want to control your speed.

As  mentioned, this trail was the most difficult I rode, being early in the trip it  spooked me a little (not to mention the squeaking headset that was doing my  head in) so I probably didn’t ride it as aggressively as I should have.  

The effort  required to get up there and how petrified I was descending meant I didn’t ride  it again, which in hindsight I regret.  It’s  a trail I’m looking forward to riding with greater confidence.

Getting there:
  From Eagle vs Shark

 
• Preferred  – Hill Rd then Direct Road
 
• Insane  – Hill Rd, Lentil Link, Sidewinder, Direct Rd
 
• Pretty  – Redtank Rd / Pipeline Rd to the  end of Hot X Buns then Direct Rd

From the Shuttle Zone

 
• Ride Huckleberry Hound or halfway down Corners to Hill Rd, turn right then left onto Direct Rd

From elsewhere

 
• Get  to the intersection of Pipeline Rd, Red Tank Rd, Direct Rd.  Then ride or walk  up Direct Road.  I’ve not done it but I’m told by fit guys  that it’s torture.

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