Rotorua Redwoods

Sidewinder & Direct Rd (to Hot X Buns)  (1000m)

Last Update: 30/12/2014

Difficulty

Easy, Intermediate

Slope

Moderate, Steep

Space

Open

Surface

Dirt, Eternal Puddles, Gravel, Heavy leaf and branch litter, Loose rocks on dirt, Roots, Rutted

Trail type

Firetrail, Graded Dirt Road, Single track

Notes:

So the  first thing to know about Sidewinder is that this trail was a downhill trail and on most maps it is shown this way  however with the opening of Eagle vs Shark it was reversed to create access up to Hot X Buns.  The problem  however is that it’s far too steep, wet and boggy for most punters to  ride.  As you can see from the video I  essentially walked the whole trail.

From the  top of Sidewinder it is a relatively  easy climb up Direct Rd to Hot X Buns, which is in contrast to  what I’m told is a TORTUROUS climb up the other side of Direct Rd from the base of Hot X Buns.  

So I guess  the moral of this story is it doesn’t matter how you are planning to get to Hot X Buns it’s going to be painful.

In my  opinion Sidewinder is the worst way  back from Eagle vs Shark.  Redtank Rd / Pipeline Rd brings you back around to the base of Hot X Buns with a stunning ride,  alternatively walk/ride up Hill Rd and turn onto Direct Rd which will  take you past the top of Sidewinder.

I’d  discourage anyone from taking this route.

 How to view maps on your mobile
Watch Video
Other Rotorua Redwoods Trails
Arepa (Alpha)
Be Rude Not To 2
Billy T
Boulderdash
Bunny Jugs 1 and 2
Challenge
Challenge Roadside
Chestnut Link
Chop Suey
Corners
Corridor
Creek
Dipper
Dragons Tail
Eagle vs Shark
Exit Trail
G Rock
Grinder
Gunna Gotta
Hot X Buns
Huckleberry Hound
Katore Jumps
Kids Loop (at Tahi)
Kung Fu Walrus
Kung Fu Walrus Extension
Lentil Link
Little Red Riding Huck
Mad If You Don't
No Brains and No Brains Ext
Old Chevy
Paddy's Run (formerly A-Trail)
Pig and Piglet
Pondy DH
Pondy New
Reservoir Rd
Roller Coaster
Rosebank
Sidewinder & Direct Rd (to Hot X Buns)
Split Enz
Tahi
Te Tihi-O-Tawa and onto Billy T
Tickler and K2 Climb
Tokorangi
Tuhoto Ariki
Turkish Delight
Underbilly (and Billy T)
Yellow Brick Road
Access to No Brains from Kung Fu Walrus Ext
Access to Pondy New via Sandy Skid Rd from Yellow Brick Rd
Access to Shuttle via Hill Rd (from 8 Mile Gate to Shuttle Pickup)
Access to Split Enz
Access to Te Tihi-O-Tawa and Tuhoto Ariki
Access to the Challenge Area
Access to Tokorangi via Katore Rd (climb from Nursery Rd to Tokorangi)
Return from EvS via Hill Rd (from EvS to Corners)
Return from EvS via Redtank Rd / Pipeline Rd (from EvS to Direct Rd)
Other Trails

This website is brought to you by MTB Weekend Warrior Aaron Markie.

The idea of this website is to provide you with info that will help you prepare for your MTB adventure however I can't make any claim as to the up to date accuracy of this website

So if you have anything to add then,
let me know.