Fancy riding a pedal-powered monorail? Well the Shweeb in Rotorua will tick that box for you.
Adventure activities in Rotorua
Rotorua in New Zealand bills itself as the action capital of the North Island. Activity options include glowworm kayaking, zorbing and white-water rafting on the Kaituna River.
The biggest concentration of action, however, comes at Velocity Valley. Formerly known as Agroventures, this adventure park includes jet boat rides, an outdoor wind tunnel and a 40 metre-high giant swing.
What is the Shweeb?
However, the silliest attraction at Velocity Valley is the Shweeb. This is best described as a cross between a bicycle and a monorail. Or a pedal-powered rollercoaster.
Either way, you’re put inside a see-through capsule that dangles from a track. Inside the capsule are pedals, and the idea is to pedal your way around the track as fast as possible.
The history of the Shweeb
The idea for the Shweeb was born when Australian inventor Geoff Barnett lived in Tokyo. He realised he could get around quicker on a recumbent bike. He then wished he could cycle above the crowds, and the monorail idea was born.
At one point, there was a chance that the Shweeb could spread. Google put a major investment into it across 16 sites around the world. Now, alas, only Rotorua remains.
How fast does the Shweeb go?
The idea of the Shweeb is to race around the track as quickly as possible. There are parallel tracks, so you can race your friends. With a bit of grunt work, it’s easy enough to reach speeds of 40km/h. The key difference between cycling in the air and cycling on the ground is lack of friction, so it’s easier to travel much faster.
The Shweeb is one of those supposed adrenalin activities that isn’t in any way scary – just ludicrously good fun. The sensation of cycling your way around a rollercoaster is thoroughly enjoyable. Even more so if you beat your friend to the finish line.
How much does the Shweeb cost?
At the time of writing, it costs NZ$65 to race on the Shweeb in Rotorua. However, you can package it up with other activities at Velocity Valley for better value.
More New Zealand North Island travel
Other New Zealand North Island travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A three week New Zealand travel itinerary.
- Why you should visit New Zealand in spring.
- Kayaking to the Mine Bay Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo.
- Sailing an Americas Cup yacht in Auckland.
- Tackling the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – New Zealand’s best day walk.
For more stories about New Zealand, try the South Island section. For more New Zealand tours, activities and experiences, head this way.
