TRIPS: Choose your poison in Rotorua, New Zealand -- or ride a volcano in Hawaii

Rotorua, New Zealand

A few months ago, I told you how awesome a time we had riding in Queenstown (on New Zealand's southern island) over a Christmas holiday, but there's great riding on the north island as well. Dirt Rag published a great rundown of the many adventures awaiting your knobblies in Rotorua, from cross country to downhill (where the World Mountain Bike Championships finish up this weekend on Mount Ngongotaha). This is a short hop from Okinawa and the article’s definitely worth a look (or two). Photos of Rotorua by Graeme Murray for Dirt Rag.












Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

For a guy who wanted to ride Indonesia’s Mount Merapi as it spewed fire balls a couple of months ago, this caught my attention (at least the tires won’t melt!) A hotter alternative to New Zealand awaits at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which just opened a 15-mile Intermediate Course that includes a 6-mile, 2000′ climb on a dirt and gravel road and two double-track loops that veer off the main road. The top loop at 4000′ is 3.8 miles. The lower loop at 2700′ is 1.7 miles. Just when you thought all you needed was huge thighs, keep in mind the lava rock hazards and steep rock-strewn stretches as you read the Drifting Son’s synopsis. He’s also got some other interesting entries for those considering a ride in America's paradise.