Kaihoka Club Ride
Thanks Joyce and Grant Wyllie....
What a great place to ride, and 12 people made the most of a hot day to ride up onto the Lunar Bluffs and down to the coast track.
Spectacular views, an UNDULATING track! What more can I say?
Its mountain biking at its best.
What a great place to ride, and 12 people made the most of a hot day to ride up onto the Lunar Bluffs and down to the coast track.
Spectacular views, an UNDULATING track! What more can I say?
Its mountain biking at its best.
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| Wharariki in the distance |
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| "Do you know where the others went?" |
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| This is the UNDULATING bit |
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| I hate these traffic jams.... |
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| Some of it was up! |
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| Need full suspension for this bit |
Nice work Reece!
Reece Potter has been a busy boy these last few weeks taking part in the Rabodirect 2011MTB Cup
Although the 3rd round in Rotorua left MTBNZ with an unprecedented decision to cancel the racing due to storm damage, Reece managed two 6th place finishes in Round 1 and 2 in Tauranga and Napier on relatively flat courses, which left him with a 5th place overall in the North Island series.
Moving on to the South Island series last weekend Reece notched up a 3rd place in Nelson. Not bad for a 17 year old competing with strong competition in an U 19's category.
If you find yourself at a lose end this Friday and Saturday, you could do worse than pop over to Nelson and check out the DH at Fringed Hill and give Reece a bit of local support.
Good luck in the rest of the S island series, Reece, keep at it mate, all the best from everyone at the Mountain Bike Club.
Such a simple line, such an eventful ride! (see below for report)
DBTT No.1
Participants: 3
Weather conditions: Head wind on way back
Special notes: Emma wore Jason's go fast thong: Jason wore skins: Rob had Peak Fuel drink on board.
Participants agreed to self time trial.
REPORT
Emma set off first while Rob and Jason discussed whether to ride together two abreast or stick to the time trial rules and set off a minute apart. This took a minute or two to decide, hard to tell exactly how long.
Somehow it was decided that Rob left first with Jason a minute behind.
Amazing how far you can get in a minute. Rob was almost out of sight when Jason set off.
Rob dropped his pump on the descent down the hill into East Takaka and made the tactical decision to retrieve it on the way up the hill so as to not lose too much time.
Emma went straight passed the turning and kept going, Rob shouted from the turn off but Emma didn't hear, Rob kept going. Jason approached the turn off and realised Emma was still going and out of earshot.
Jason faced with Moral dilema. Keep going, or ride after the missus. He's a bloke, he kept going.
Rob stopped to pick up his pump on the ascent back up the main hill out of East Takaka. The stop was timed at ten seconds, but some momentum was lost, not sure just how much.
Rob dropped his pump again on the descent down to the Allinson residence, but because he's a bloke he kept going!
Jason closed the gap on Rob to approximately 30-40 seconds, but was it enough!
Emma unfortunately became the first DBTT / DNQ and that's a lot of letters to have after your name!
Rob and Jason finished with still no sign of Emma, they cycled back to pick up Rob's pump and found her sitting down by the side of the road knitting!
Rob finished in 34'47"
Jason finished in 34.36
Rich New Track opening
Nice one Rich, looking good, just gotta get those times down! Rich is happy for people to cruise by his place as and when to use his track which is well worth a visit.......swimming hole's not bad either!
More Photos in 'Bike Club Photos' link on right hand column
Heaphy on Bike! (article from GB Weekly)
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
Bennett in Yellow
