We love our Te Mata Peak. It is to Hastings and Havelock North what the Redwoods is to Rotorua. Ditch the tie, don the riding shorts and 5 minutes after work you are on the hill.
But it does have its own personality. The road which goes up the middle, Te Mata Peak Road, is a proper road that is administered by the local council. It is used by buses (when a cruise ship is in), camper vans, cars, road cyclists, mountain bikes, runners, walkers and dogs. There are sheep grazing the verge which may glance at you with disinterest.
Historically, it has been a place to take visitors to enjoy the view and get a feeling for the surrounding country side and towns. Very nice with fish and chips of an evening.
The use pattern of walkers and runners is long and entrenched. The tracks have been narrow and technical, and we love it this way. Presently some of these tracks are being upgraded, flattened out and widened.
Mountain biking on the Peak is both old and new. The mountain bike track that starts near the summit claims to be the oldest purpose built track in the country - ride some history. It is also steep and technical. More recently other tracks have been added, and we call then the BMC track and Exit tracks. These are all old school narrow single tracks with built in surprises. Shaun, the Parks caretaker, has upgraded some of the link tracks and added other duel use tracks. The one under the Peak House is a favourite.
But we all need to be aware that there will be runners and walkers,and dogs and sheep on the tracks I have mentioned, just as the walkers and runners will find bikes on "their" tracks. Eyes up and in control; but then if you come night riding.....
And what should you ride, well anything you like with good brakes! The 1980's YAK pictured would be possible, I have done some of the tracks on a cyclocross bike and hardtails work really nicely. But then a nice comfortable full sus is just the bees knees as well.