Trailforks Trail of the Month: Eagle vs Shark
Eagle vs Shark, Rotorua, NZ
This month we take a look at a trail in the home of Crankworx's latest stop, Rotorua, New Zealand. Settled on the south shore of the lake with the same name, Rotorua is in the Bay of Plenty region on the North Island. Rotorua has a diverse selection of trails and with the upcoming EWS we'll see some of it's more technical offerings including a surprise for everyone. This months Trail of the Month comes from the other end of the rating spectrum. Although a Grade 3 / Green, don't write it off, we think you'll enjoy the trail known as Eagle vs. Shark.
 | The idea for the Eagle vs Shark trail is to build on the concepts of flow that evolved with Rotorua's Corners Track and the Wairoa Gorge's No Pressure trail - both similar grade - and take it to the next level. I wanted my family to love riding this trail. Riding behind them on these trails I could see that beginner - intermediate level riders struggle with dropping switchbacks, so the number of these were minimized. The trail has super long rolling traverses that give you that feeling of surfing along a wave, top turn, bottom turn, no pedalling - you can coast the whole trail and natural speed control is accomplished with grade reversals. To keep it fun for all levels of rider we spiced it up by building in alternative lines on the sides of the trail where we could fit them in. - Jeff Carter (Builder) |
Photo Credit: Chester Boyes Rider: Matt Hunt
The Whakarewarewa Forest offers plenty of selection ranging from Green to Black including Billy T, Challenge and Dragon's Tail. Shuttles are available from Southstar Shuttles, the same owner as Southstar Trails who built Eagle vs Shark.
Looking for a lift up? Rotorua's Skyline Bike Park has Gravity assisted riding practically in town.
If you like what you see then please support our friends at the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club and earn some Trail Karma while you're at it.
Big thanks to Chester Boyes for the photos!
MENTIONS: @RideRotorua @Sstar @RotoruaGravityPark @Lease22
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31 Comments
- 17 0
atvottawa
(Mar 17, 2015 at 19:06)
A trail like this would be amazing. Lots of flow and alternate lines. Finding a trail that I can take my 7 year old who is not afraid of anything and my wife who trail timid, that I can ride and have fun while they are as well would be perfect.
Keep up the good work.
- 3 0
JoshNZL
(Mar 18, 2015 at 0:56)
It's such a fun track, you can go down it as a family (even though there's about 1-2 gnarly bits), or you can pin it down like a wc racer and you'll love that track so much either way.
- 6 1
nikholden
(Mar 17, 2015 at 19:12)
This weekend will be the first time in 10 years I will have ridden trails in Rotorua. 3 days of nothing but me riding. Can't wait. But lets not forget the amazing trails Wellington offers as well. And some of the epic outings further south. Check out Wellington trails here - www.trailforks.com/region/wellington-region
- 1 0
InTheFrame
(Mar 18, 2015 at 14:34)
There are more trails built by South Star Trails ( Jeff Carter). more like this one but some rock. video coming soon for the new trails poping up down there.
- 5 0
freestyIAM
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:14)
Love this trail of the month series. Makes me want to ride. What more can you ask for.
- 2 0
snit
(Mar 18, 2015 at 1:23)
Just got back from a week in Roto. Eagle vs Shark was the best trail we rode. Definitely worth the hike back up to the shuttle pick up. Because it's fairly new, it is in really good nick as well.
- 4 0
canadaka
FL Mod
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:18)
This is a cool looking trail, not techy, but speed can make it fun!
love it when there are harder alt lines on trails.
- 5 0
sebas241freerider
(Mar 17, 2015 at 19:17)
That girl in the fox jersey !
- 3 0
canucksuomi
(Mar 18, 2015 at 19:22)
...can ride better than me!
Not that that is hard to do, but she ripped!
- 1 0
Jontxu
(Mar 18, 2015 at 1:48)
just came back from Roto and rode this trail, in fact one of the dudes in this video drove our jeep, top blokes. (the rooster outfit), yes not the most techy trail but it is super fast, very fast...and you connect with some other trails at the bottom, amazing. Has the best time riding in roto, insane + epic trails.
- 1 0
shoopcal
(Mar 18, 2015 at 12:47)
I'll be riding this trail tomorrow with Southstar Shuttles. Hopefully, if I can find it.. Let me tell all you guys and gals back in the states, New Zealand is worth the trip. Amazing views, sick dirt and pretty awesome people... So bummed tomorrow is my last day of riding. 
- 2 0
alesar
(Mar 17, 2015 at 19:00)
One of the most fun trails I've ridden. Don't be put off by the long ride back to the shuttle - it's mainly downhill or flat.
- 1 0
rickaybobbay
(Mar 17, 2015 at 22:55)
i hate this... all the best trails are up in the N.W. aint no body going to call my local trails "trail of the month" because they aren't flowy or wide or fast. they also aren't on huge shuttle-able mountains...
- 1 0
SithBike
(Mar 18, 2015 at 15:59)
Tahoe Rim Trail, Bootleg Canyon, Kentucky Camp are all IMBA.com epic rated trails. What is wrong with them?
- 1 0
motorstone
FL (Mar 18, 2015 at 0:30)
Yeah be real nice to find something like this trail here in Switzerland - my 11 and 8 yo are desperately wanting to ride on "real" trails but can't take them on some crazy alpine trail - this would be perfect to start!
- 3 0
MaxDeutsch
(Mar 17, 2015 at 20:12)
Congrats on being featured
- 2 0
bbh13
(Mar 18, 2015 at 2:20)
If its half as good as the movie its named after will be an epic trail haha
- 3 0
ithomas
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:22)
ahhhh, new zealand.
- 2 0
beater32
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:59)
Seven more sleeps and I'm on it !
- 3 2
CEKSTOY
(Mar 17, 2015 at 20:11)
The trail looks like a lot of fun but this video was just akward. Made me feel like I was watching some weird Furry video.
- 5 0
natbrown
(Mar 17, 2015 at 22:04)
Have you seen the film of the same name? More awkward, but brilliant and a great example of NZ humour.
- 2 0
funkzander
(Mar 17, 2015 at 23:21)
the movie is great!
- 2 0
CEKSTOY
(Mar 18, 2015 at 5:54)
So I watched the preview for the movie and your right, it's just as akward.
- 3 0
Backdoor
(Mar 18, 2015 at 13:04)
Rad movie. All Taika's movies are rad. probably more rad than Micheal Jackson as a ninja
- 2 0
owl-X
FL (Mar 18, 2015 at 8:51)
I thought PB hated trails like this.
- 1 0
huckdonkey
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:17)
Gonna ride this trail tomorrow!
- 1 0
Joelrider
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:47)
Gonna listen that music again because I can't ride the trail!
- 2 0
StackingItSince1991
(Mar 17, 2015 at 18:53)
I need to go to Rotorua!
- 1 0
v7fmp
FL (Mar 18, 2015 at 6:13)
I can confirm, this trail is awesome!
I will be back to ride it one day!
- 2 1
panaphonic
(Mar 17, 2015 at 19:06)
Epic track.
- 1 0
minus8
(Mar 18, 2015 at 4:21)
Dat flow 3
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