Cyclists and walkers were the real winners when a land transaction with a difference took place near Taupo recently.
Farmers Graham and Karen Law agreed to sell Bike Taupo a corner of their farm for a carpark for the newly completed Kinloch to Whangamata Rd section of the Great Lake Trail so that track users could park their vehicles off the road.
But the price they were offered was somewhat unorthodox - two brand new mountainbikes.
The Laws agreed, and the bikes-for-land deal went through last month.
Now track users have a safe 30-vehicle carpark on Whangamata Rd, and Graham and Karen have a new hobby to enjoy.
Bruce Jaine of Bike Taupo said the organisation had already been dealing with the Laws, who had allowed access over their farm while the track was being constructed and had found them very helpful.
When the track was finished in May, it quickly became apparent that parking was going to become an issue, with track users parking along the road verge, causing a potential road safety issue.
"You can imagine what a mess it was, so we thought we're going to have to do something about this, so we came up with this [carpark]."
Mr Jaine said although the Laws were happy with the carpark idea, it was his suggestion that they swap the land for a couple of good mountain bikes for themselves.
"It was part of the deal. I wasn't going to offer them nothing."
So he spoke to Corner Shop Taupo owner Craig Macdonald, who offered two full-suspension Avanti Vapour mountain bikes for less than half cost price. The retail price of the bikes together would normally be about $8700. And Craig threw in extras such as helmets, pumps, bottle cages and spare tubes as well so the bikes would be ready to ride.
Mr Law said although the couple haven't had much use out of their new bikes yet, with winter drawing to a close, they intend to get out on them more often, both along the Great Lake Trail and some of the trails that make up the New Zealand Cycleway too.
"We think it's something we should do and that's why it all fitted together, and it's silly not to when [the trail] is right on your doorstep."
He said although the bikes were a bonus, the couple agreed to donate the land because they didn't want to see an accident occur.
"It's just a small way that we can help and it's an amazing concept what's happened and what these guys are doing. We're proud to be part of Taupo and think we live in a special place and this is a way that others can enjoy it and the future generation can too."
Mrs Law says having the bike has motivated her to give cycling a go and she's had a lovely time out on her rides, recently tackling the Whakamaru to Mangakino section of the Waikato River Trail.
Corner Shop owner Craig Macdonald supplied the bikes because it was another way of putting something back into the community.
"We ride the trails, all our mates ride the trails ... and Bike Taupo are pretty easy to deal with. Simple conversation, simple thing to do," he said.
Bruce says as well as the assistance from Graham and Karen Law, Bike Taupo have also had help from the Conservation Department and many other organisations and people in the Taupo community.