Have raft... will cycle .. bikerafting

[cancan64]

Have been looking at doing a bikepacking ride on some tracks around Lake Taupo but you have to take a water taxi between two tracks so decided its time to get a packraft and broaden my horizons.
Purchased 2 rafts, an Alpacka Caribou for me but this took a few months to get made and delivered so purchased a Kokopelli rogue lite for the interim which my partner will use for non bike trips.
Hardest part was getting everything on the bike, the raft rolls to nothing but paddle and pfd proved a bit more challenging but got there


All the raft bits on the front roll


Bike loaded onto raft


On the water... wasnt that impressed with the raft with drop bars... and on salt water


testing the Alpacka ... short ride on the fixie then raft down the river and a short paddle down the harbour.. packed up and rode home

[Tim]

Man, that looks like fun!
The bike touring horizon is expanding.

[RonK]

Is paddling the pack raft affected much by the wind Calvin?

[cancan64]

Is paddling the pack raft affected much by the wind Calvin?

Yes... and the tide... was hard going in the harbour on a turning tide into the wind ..

[kan537]

Hi Calvin, I stumbled upon this thread because I am looking at both the Rogue-lite and the Caribou for Road Bike-rafting. Which raft did you prefer and why? Cheers.

[cancan64]

Hi Calvin, I stumbled upon this thread because I am looking at both the Rogue-lite and the Caribou for Road Bike-rafting. Which raft did you prefer and why? Cheers.

Sorry have been away.
Preference is the Caribou... I find it is a bit broader at the front and higher that there is better ckearance for the bike.. moreso with drop bars but I havent tried both rafts with the same bike yet. Was supposed to have spent last 2 daya down in Taupo but didnt happen

[cancan64]

It was a bit quiet at work and the sun was shining so took Wednesday off and shot down to Lake Taupo for a quick trip. Morning started at Kinloch with 10km of single tracks to Kawakawa Bay. We then inflated the rafts and had an 11km raft to Kotukutuku stream where we reassembled everything and cycled the Great lake trail. 30km of single tracks with amazing views. Would still be there if we stopped for all the photo opportunities. First part was heaps of switch backs as we climbed beside a waterfall and then rode the cliff top to Waihaha where we joined the road and had a quicker 38km ride back to Kinloch. All up a great day out If not a big one when you add the 7 hrs of driving as well.