Downhill Mountain Biking England
Rotorua New Zealand – Mud Filled Adventure
It has been popular in New Zealand for quite some time, and it has gained popularity in the United Kingdom as well, but it was slower to catch on in the Untied States.
After doing some research and planning, Pelon purchased the rights to open a branch of the United Kingdom company called SphereMania. He decided to do it in the ski resort, Mt. Brighton, in June of 2006.
At the ski resort, he adapted the course from a snowboarding half pipe on a 700 foot slope. You can roll down the course from two ways: the shooter, which is a gentle roll from the top of the hill, or the mixer, which involves rolling down a twenty foot drop to enter the course.
You ride down the slope in a PVC sphere that is twelve feet in diameter and weighs about 350 pounds. There is an inner and outer chamber separated by three feet of air cushioning and connected by thousands of nylon straps that tether the two chambers together.
The course is completely safe, although you do have to sign a waiver, which is common with many extreme activities.
Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most famous tourist attractions of all time. Not only famous for their hot mud springs, hot water beaches and volcanic geysers, Rotorua is also the birthplace of the new trend of Zorbing.
Zorbing is ridiculously fun, rolling down a hill in a giant, cushioned PVC ball. Nothing says back sprain like that, does it?
Zorbing was created in the 1960′s, developed in the 1990′s, and has spread to far off lands like England, Australia, Chile and Argentina. You strap yourself into a huge, inflated PVC sphere and roll down a hill. Sounds simple, but is also unbelievably fun. You can also try the hydro- zorb version, where you’re not strapped down, but float on water in another ball held in the core of the outer ball. It’s kind of like rolling downhill on a waterslide.
But onto why you’re really here, the hot mud springs and smelly geysers. Rotorua is a geothermal delight. What does that mean? It means, volcanic activity beneath the lakes and springs in this town boil the water below the surface until it gets so hot, it erupts and bursts out hot water and steam. Rotorua is also well known for hot mud springs, so rich in nutrients, tourists swim in the pools for therapy.
It smells horrible, but the therapeutic properties of the mud can rival the most expensive of spa treatments. Similarly, Rotorua has heaps of beaches with water hot like a relaxing bath to cure your traveling ails. This town is also home to countless lakes, more lakes than the Lake District in England!
What is now Lake Rotorua was actually the main volcano that began the geothermal activity, after it last erupted and collapsed.
You can find mud pools at Kuirau Park, a variety of geysers and pools at Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland and hot springs at Hell’s Gate. You can find so many places to see geysers, not just the few above, and there are also loads of spas, museums and gardens to visit. A great spa to indulge in a body wrap is the Polynesian Spa on Hinemoa Street, and the Government Gardens are worth a look if you have free time.
Rotorua is a great place for mountain biking if you like things more extreme.
About the Author
Madball Mayhem Scotlands best outdoor activity center [ part of eden valley leisure complex]
<a href=”http://dorianmcconn102.blog.com/2011/04/27/sphere/”>Zorbing – A Wild Ride in a Giant Inflatable Ball</a>, <a href=”http://mountain-balling06.blog.friendster.com/2011/04/hamster-ball/”>Rotorua New Zealand – Mud Filled Adventure</a>, <a href=”http://dorianmcconn102.insanejournal.com/275.html”>Zorb</a>
Downhill Mountain Bike UK Surrey
