Rameka Track Update
Hi All
As most of you will be aware, we have had a tad more rain than normal here in Golden Bay over the last week. For those of you that have had property damage or otherwise affected our thoughts are with you and I hope that life can return to (relative) normal as soon as possible. If you have been watching the news you will also know that the whole Bay is under water?????? Hmmm, not so.
We have been unsure about the state of our Canaan and Rameka MTB tracks. So today Mandy and I went for a run down the full length of the Rameka tracks. Good news is that things are not as bad as first thought.
The Canaan loop is all good.
The Rameka track itself is absolutely fine, bit damp and a couple of rocks moved in the creeks but otherwise 100%.
The new Pack Track withstood the rain well and is perfect condition, Yay!
Project Rameka and Great Expectations have suffered some damage in the lower sections, mostly on the creek crossings, due to a slip from further up the hill. The upper track in general is in great shape. Please respect the sign at the entrance to the Project that states that it is closed until further notice. Good news here is that Steve Zelco has already had his digger out and has cleared the slip off this part of the road so Great Expectations can be bypassed on the road.
Two Klick survived very well, some debris on the track but very much OK.
One Klick is in need of some serious TLC, so pretty much un-ridable, except for the wooden jumps, both of which survived the river flowing over them!!
The main damage is on the Rameka Creek road where there are 3 major wash-outs which make it very difficult to get down the road. I will be heading up there after work tomorrow (Monday) to dig a safe walking track around the slips so that the tracks will again be ridable (possibly with a short bike carry) until the road gets repaired properly, if anyone wants to help give me a bell or see you up there:0). This track could also be used to help get fuel up to Steve Zelco to keep his digger going as he continues to work at opening the road.
And with all that great energy here in the bay I'm sure it won't be long until all these fantastic tracks will be 100% again, until then come ride and enjoy!! Our summer holidaymakers will be arriving any day so lets spread the word that the bay is a great place to be and mostly still intact.
John & Mandy
As most of you will be aware, we have had a tad more rain than normal here in Golden Bay over the last week. For those of you that have had property damage or otherwise affected our thoughts are with you and I hope that life can return to (relative) normal as soon as possible. If you have been watching the news you will also know that the whole Bay is under water?????? Hmmm, not so.
We have been unsure about the state of our Canaan and Rameka MTB tracks. So today Mandy and I went for a run down the full length of the Rameka tracks. Good news is that things are not as bad as first thought.
The Canaan loop is all good.
The Rameka track itself is absolutely fine, bit damp and a couple of rocks moved in the creeks but otherwise 100%.
The new Pack Track withstood the rain well and is perfect condition, Yay!
Project Rameka and Great Expectations have suffered some damage in the lower sections, mostly on the creek crossings, due to a slip from further up the hill. The upper track in general is in great shape. Please respect the sign at the entrance to the Project that states that it is closed until further notice. Good news here is that Steve Zelco has already had his digger out and has cleared the slip off this part of the road so Great Expectations can be bypassed on the road.
Two Klick survived very well, some debris on the track but very much OK.
One Klick is in need of some serious TLC, so pretty much un-ridable, except for the wooden jumps, both of which survived the river flowing over them!!
The main damage is on the Rameka Creek road where there are 3 major wash-outs which make it very difficult to get down the road. I will be heading up there after work tomorrow (Monday) to dig a safe walking track around the slips so that the tracks will again be ridable (possibly with a short bike carry) until the road gets repaired properly, if anyone wants to help give me a bell or see you up there:0). This track could also be used to help get fuel up to Steve Zelco to keep his digger going as he continues to work at opening the road.
And with all that great energy here in the bay I'm sure it won't be long until all these fantastic tracks will be 100% again, until then come ride and enjoy!! Our summer holidaymakers will be arriving any day so lets spread the word that the bay is a great place to be and mostly still intact.
John & Mandy
Rameka Creek Road Carnage
more photos here....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-Bay-Mountain-Bike-Club/242316829133060
Top day out at the Backyard Series
Hot on the heels, or maybe that should be moist on the heels, of the Club that brought you The Great Mystery Ride, and the Winter Warmer.....The Backyard Series was born, and despite the rain (quite rightly) a good few of us turned out for a cracking days entertainment.....Four Cross eat your heart out, the mass start is born......
check out more photos here....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-Bay-Mountain-Bike-Club/242316829133060
Rameka Track now 220% longer!!
There is now a continuous walking/cycling track all the way from the Totara Tree Flat (at the bottom end of Rameka Creek Road) to Harwoods Hole car park.
15.5 km of awesome track for your enjoyment!
You are invited to the official opening of the new Rameka Track extension
on Sunday the 11th December.
Gather at the top entrance of Project Rameka at 12.30. Shuttle from the bottom at 12.00.
BYO BBQ/drinks.
Or help with track maintenance from 10 am. Bike or walk up to Project Rameka, or grab a shuttle leaving Totara Tree Flat at 9-30am.
A day to celebrate and thank the landowners and volunteers involved in this community project. Info @ the Bike Shops.
Golden Bay Mountain Bike Club and Project Rameka Incorporated Society.
Big Congrats to our very own Jack Bauer who will make the step up to the big time next year on the World circuit....nice one Jack!
click here for the full story......
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/TeamTalk/jack-bauer-confirmed-with-garmin-cervelo.html
click here for the full story......
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/TeamTalk/jack-bauer-confirmed-with-garmin-cervelo.html
Club Xmas Party and Backyard series this Sunday
Hi All, A reminder the Club Xmas party. The worlds first.....GBMTB Back Yard Series!!! Only 1 week away, Sunday 4th December, tell everyone in the club abs we'll see you there.
THE CONCEPT: There are a few keen people out there who have been building their own MTB tracks in their backyards. So we'll spend an afternoon trying out 3 of these tracks and each getting our "Best Timed Lap" on each track. At the end of the day there will be a trophy awarded for the inaugural "GBMTB Back Yard Series" (not necessarily for the best time....) All going well we can make this a regular fun day out.
WHEN: Sun Dec 4th, This will be an all afternoon and into the evening affair.
WHERE:
TRACK 1: 11.30am at Rich Turners "Downhill" track on East Takaka Road. BBQ lunch. Bring BBQ food to share.
TRACK 2: 3pm at John and Mandy's "Tight and Twisty" track at 38 Rototai Road. Pre dinner "Wine, Cheese and G&T Sundowners" on the deck. Bring Wine and cheese type snacks to share and your own drinks.
TRACK 3: 6pm onwards an Karl and Frankies "Pump Track" on the main road out of town. "Pizza and Pump-track" Bring Pizza (or components of) to share.
You will need to bring: Bike, helmet etc and food to share for the above meals. BYO drinks. You will need to sort your own transport between tracks, there may be a possibility of a van and bike trailer being available on the day.
NO SERIOUS BIKE CLOTHING ALLOWED so get dressed up to the 9's and RIDE!!!
If you want to get out and try these tracks in advance just contact the above and make a plan. For more info contact John on 5258783 or at home on 5257347
Back-up plan if wet
If the heavens open up to try to dampen our festive mood on the day (and our riding) then we'll go to plan "B", which is to bring all that food, drink and xmas cheer around to Mandy and Johns place, 38 Rototai rd, around midday and we'll crank up the BBQ, eat, drink and TALK about riding!!Please BYO plate, glass and cutlery. So if the weather is looking a bit dodgey in the morning give John a call on 525 7347 for details.Information meeting on plans for the cycleway from Pohara to Takaka
Ireland & Cycleway meeting: Monday, 21 November, 7:30 pm. Community Centre
Rachel Ryan, with whom I did two walking tours in Ireland this winter, is doing an illustrated talk for 30 minutes about her glorious attempts to introduce NZers to Ireland (culture, eccentric friends, walks etc).
After supper, Greg Napp and Hans Stoffregen will present new photos showing the preferred route to take walkers and cyclists from where the current track ends at Boyle Stree by the golf club, to reach GB High School safely and scenically, and outline the next steps towards making it a reality.
Fiona Newey is coming from Nelson to add her enthusiasm for this project. Fiona is the executive officer of the Nelson to Kaiteriteri track.She has given us access to big NZ funders and has met our subcommittee several times and is excited about our plans.
Both the two TDC Councillors are coming to this meeting so we want as many people to attend as possible, to demonstrate our interest, with Resource Consent to be applied for.
Gold coin donation.