The trial, beginning in 2011, will run on the Heaphy Track between May 1 and September 30 and year-round on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks. Photo: supplied
The three-year access trial for mountain bikers on three tracks in Kahurangi National Park, as announced by the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) last week, is expected to bring big off-season tourism benefits to Golden Bay.
The trial, beginning in 2011, will run on the Heaphy Track between May 1 and September 30 and year-round on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks. Commenting in The Dominion (13/12) Guy Wynn-Williams, chairman of the Land Access Committee of Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ), said the decision provided a special opportunity to attract a new group of mainly younger New Zealanders into national parks.
“We anticipate more than 3000 will ride the Heaphy Track next winter.”
John Etherington and Mandy Richards of Escape Bikes believe this is a realistic estimate, and now intend to offer a fully guided and supported tour option for bikers who want everything organised for them.
“We’ve put in a concession application to DOC for the Heaphy Track,” explained John. “Being the best multi-day ride in the country, it’s got huge potential, and I expect there’ll also be big spinoffs for bus, charter plane and hospitality operators at both ends of the track.”
Martin and Marie Langley of the Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop said that rather than offering guided tours, they’ll be concentrating more on vehicle and cycle relocation options for bikers. Said Martin: “It could well take off more than people realise. Without a doubt, there’s been a lot of bikers waiting for this decision.”
Department of Conservation Golden Bay area manager John Mason acknowledged the degree of enthusiasm amongst the mountain-bike community to ride the Heaphy, and is expecting the track to be very busy this winter.
“We just ask mountain bikers to respect this new opportunity and not to ride the track before it opens on the 1st of May.” The trial had been kept to the winter season when walker numbers on the track were much lower, said Dr Kay Booth, convenor of the NZCA committee that considered the review of the Kahurangi Management Plan to allow biking.
“The number of riders on the track at any one time will be limited by the accommodation capacity of huts and campsites, which is managed through a booking system.” Approximately 4500 - 5000 people walk the Heaphy Track each year, about 80 per cent of those in the October to April “summer season”.
Mountain biking will be allowed in either direction on the tracks, but no more than six riders are allowed in a group.
DOC will monitor the trial to evaluate its social and environmental impact. They will ask all track users for feedback and assess bikers’ adherence to the Mountain Bikers Code of Conduct and other plan requirements. Bruce Chick of the GB Mountain Biking Club said it was a great opportunity for bikers.
“Our members are really looking forward to working with trampers to ensure the Heaphy is a safe multi-use track.”
One of the conditions of the review is that biking will not be allowed at night on the Heaphy and Flora Saddle to Barron Flat tracks to protect giant Powelliphanta snails and great spotted kiwi, both active at night. Signs will also alert riders about Powelliphanta snails crossing in particular on several short sections of the Heaphy through known snail habitat. Bikes can be ridden day or night on the Kill Devil Track, but only as far as Waingaro Forks Hut.
Celebrating the decision, Green Party cycling spokesperson and keen Heaphy bike advocate Kevin Hague said that biking the Heaphy would be the equivalent to walking the Milford Track.
“It’s that significant in the biking world. The decision will add great momentum to the explosion in cycling that’s already taking place around the country. A likely 4000-plus additional visitors to the area will bring much-needed winter revenue to the Conservation estate and to the local economies of Golden Bay and Karamea. And much of this I expect will come from overseas.”
Of the total 645 public submissions made on the Kahurangi draft review plan provisions, the subject of mountain biking received the most comment (494 references). Around 80 percent of those were in favour of biking, including those received from tramping clubs such as Federated Mountain Clubs. Four other issues were also considered in the partial review: aircraft landings, hunting, guided horse trekking access, and commercial accommodation along the Heaphy Track. As a result, the frequency of aircraft landings will now be more actively managed, based on the natural and recreational values of each part of the park. The revised plan now also contains revised provisions to increase hunting opportunities in the park to control rising deer numbers.
Gerard Hindmarsh
The trial, beginning in 2011, will run on the Heaphy Track between May 1 and September 30 and year-round on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks. Commenting in The Dominion (13/12) Guy Wynn-Williams, chairman of the Land Access Committee of Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ), said the decision provided a special opportunity to attract a new group of mainly younger New Zealanders into national parks.
“We anticipate more than 3000 will ride the Heaphy Track next winter.”
John Etherington and Mandy Richards of Escape Bikes believe this is a realistic estimate, and now intend to offer a fully guided and supported tour option for bikers who want everything organised for them.
“We’ve put in a concession application to DOC for the Heaphy Track,” explained John. “Being the best multi-day ride in the country, it’s got huge potential, and I expect there’ll also be big spinoffs for bus, charter plane and hospitality operators at both ends of the track.”
Martin and Marie Langley of the Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop said that rather than offering guided tours, they’ll be concentrating more on vehicle and cycle relocation options for bikers. Said Martin: “It could well take off more than people realise. Without a doubt, there’s been a lot of bikers waiting for this decision.”
Department of Conservation Golden Bay area manager John Mason acknowledged the degree of enthusiasm amongst the mountain-bike community to ride the Heaphy, and is expecting the track to be very busy this winter.
“We just ask mountain bikers to respect this new opportunity and not to ride the track before it opens on the 1st of May.” The trial had been kept to the winter season when walker numbers on the track were much lower, said Dr Kay Booth, convenor of the NZCA committee that considered the review of the Kahurangi Management Plan to allow biking.
“The number of riders on the track at any one time will be limited by the accommodation capacity of huts and campsites, which is managed through a booking system.” Approximately 4500 - 5000 people walk the Heaphy Track each year, about 80 per cent of those in the October to April “summer season”.
Mountain biking will be allowed in either direction on the tracks, but no more than six riders are allowed in a group.
DOC will monitor the trial to evaluate its social and environmental impact. They will ask all track users for feedback and assess bikers’ adherence to the Mountain Bikers Code of Conduct and other plan requirements. Bruce Chick of the GB Mountain Biking Club said it was a great opportunity for bikers.
“Our members are really looking forward to working with trampers to ensure the Heaphy is a safe multi-use track.”
One of the conditions of the review is that biking will not be allowed at night on the Heaphy and Flora Saddle to Barron Flat tracks to protect giant Powelliphanta snails and great spotted kiwi, both active at night. Signs will also alert riders about Powelliphanta snails crossing in particular on several short sections of the Heaphy through known snail habitat. Bikes can be ridden day or night on the Kill Devil Track, but only as far as Waingaro Forks Hut.
Celebrating the decision, Green Party cycling spokesperson and keen Heaphy bike advocate Kevin Hague said that biking the Heaphy would be the equivalent to walking the Milford Track.
“It’s that significant in the biking world. The decision will add great momentum to the explosion in cycling that’s already taking place around the country. A likely 4000-plus additional visitors to the area will bring much-needed winter revenue to the Conservation estate and to the local economies of Golden Bay and Karamea. And much of this I expect will come from overseas.”
Of the total 645 public submissions made on the Kahurangi draft review plan provisions, the subject of mountain biking received the most comment (494 references). Around 80 percent of those were in favour of biking, including those received from tramping clubs such as Federated Mountain Clubs. Four other issues were also considered in the partial review: aircraft landings, hunting, guided horse trekking access, and commercial accommodation along the Heaphy Track. As a result, the frequency of aircraft landings will now be more actively managed, based on the natural and recreational values of each part of the park. The revised plan now also contains revised provisions to increase hunting opportunities in the park to control rising deer numbers.
Gerard Hindmarsh