We started planning our trip to New Zealand in January 2017, found Heli-bike Rotorua and knew this was a bucket-list adventure that we couldn't pass up. The week we were coming up on our epic adventure we checked the weather and saw that there was going to be a huge storm that day and David had no problem moving our tour back one day to make sure we were still able to go. We arrive in Rotorua and I couldn't even sleep the night before I was so excited (not recommended - this takes a lot of energy!)

They also offer the option of getting dropped the evening before you ride to sleep in one of the huts on Mt. Moerangi which I would definitely do next time once I saw how remote and serene that option would have been.

The morning of our ride, David picked us up, took us to a great breakfast spot and then we made our way up the mountain. Got a great history lesson about the forests we were driving through on the way up and the guys were great conversationalists.

Got to the mountain, loaded up our bikes on the helicopter and off we went to the top of Mt. Moerangi. Despite the pilot refusing to hum Highway to the Danger Zone to us, the Heli Ride was incredible - views and access to the vast expansive forest that you'd never get otherwise. I was amazed.

We get to the top of the mountain and it's time to ride the pristine Singletrack of Mt Moerangi. The access road was closed so we were literally the only two riders on the trail that day. I've never seen singletrack or forest like that in my life and I knew it was a privilege not many get in their mountain biker lives. The trail was challenging but rewarding and it felt like you could attack it at any experience level if you wanted. If you're not an advanced rider I would simply talk to David and he'll make sure you end up on a route, and distance that you'll be comfortable with.

At the end of our ride I was smiling ear to ear. David greeted us with our favorite adult beverage, and off we went back into town - with a quick pit stop to a hot spring to relax our muscles on the way back while we enjoyed an epic sunset.

This was one of the top 5 days in my life, if not the best - and I mean it. If you're thinking about doing this tour - there is no question that you should!!