Rotorua's Gravity Go-Karts 'Luge'

Enjoy racing?

I love it.

Ever since I was a small child, I've taken any opportunity I could to go go-karting or racing of any kind. I'm not a pro, or even necessarily that good an amateur, but I love it.

As a result, a recent trip to Rotorua's Skyline attraction offered the perfect chance to have a go on their world famous 'luge', or gravity-only powered go-karts.

All copyright attributed to Skyline Rotorua for this picture

To quote the website, the luge is

part go-cart, part toboggan [and] is gravity fuelled with full rider control over speed and direction using a unique braking and steering system.

Pull back on the handlebars to slow down or stop, release slightly to accelerate and enjoy the ride. The Luge is great for any age (our oldest rider is 101) and small children can ride with adults.

Can you imagine coming across a rider of 101? That's fantastic.

I strapped a GoPro to my chest and filmed myself on a number of runs across the different courses - there are 3 - 'scenic,' 'intermediate' and 'expert.'

'Expert' was naturally the most challenging of the three, and I enjoyed over-taking as many people as I could (safely, of course), though 'scenic' was possibly the most fun to ride, with wider lanes and less aggressive turns.

Eyeing up my contender ahead as I prepare for my over-take:

Successfully in the clear

I'd be curious to understand the top speeds that I reached, as it certainly felt fast.

Whether it really was or not is another matter!

The experience was an incredible one: dashing down the hill and challenging other racers to the bottom. The fact it was not powered by anything other than gravity also made it a whole load of fun.

For those wondering, we thankfully did not have to walk all the way back up, as a ski-lift style chair lift took both drivers and carts all the way back to the top of the peak.

I'll try and upload the video from at least one of the courses in the coming days.

Peace

Franck / @goodwithtravels

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