January 16th – Hunua
What better way to kick off these new rides than with a trip to Hunua, where the club has played such a big part in building the trail network? Kris Bartley, who runs our Hunua Working Bees, will be showing us round his handywork, and we’ll be throwing on some post-ride refreshments to celebrate (gold coin donation for non-members). Expect a lap of the River Trail singletrack network and either a ride up to the freshly groomed old National Downhill course, or round the Challenge Track.
Meet at Mangataphiri Dam car park. Travelling south on SH1, take the Papakura turn-off then head for Hunua Rd. 10 mins out of Hunua, turn left onto Moumoukai Rd. Follow the road up and over the hill (it changes to gravel halfway up) into the Hunuas, then down the other side to the Mangataphiri Dam car park.
Read the ride report.
January 30th – Whitford
Home to some of the best technical riding in Auckland (meaning steep, muddy and rooty), Whitford is a real treat at this time of year when the trails dry out and the flow comes out to play. Local rider Paul Becker will be showing us round his favourite tracks.
Meet at Waikopua Rd, just after the kennels. Drive out through Whitford Village. Turn right on to Waikopua Rd after about five minutes.
Read the ride report.
February 13th – Slater Road
Slater Road is a private forest usually used by the club as one of the venues for our race series. Pine forest on undulating terrain, it’s absolutely riddled with primo singletrack. Owner Rob Garden will be setting up a course and showing us round his back yard.
We’ll also have some half-price club clothing for sale at this ride.
Directions here. Drive out West as if you were heading for Woodhill but keep going, head through Parakai and we’ll meet at the entrance to 45 Slater Rd.
February 27th – Totara Park
The tracks at Totara Park in Manukau are fairly new and the council are super-keen to get people out there enjoying them. They’ve built a fantastic facility with nearly 10km of smooth and flowing singletrack that winds it’s way through through farmland and bush. There’s even a section of beginners track and a pump track for the kids (and the big kids among us!) to have a play on. There’s something for everyone, so bring the family and make a day of it.
There’s a Specialized & Giant demo day happening at the same time so bring some photo ID and try out a bling new bike while you’re there.
Meet at the car park, just off Redoubt Road.
March 13th – Riverhead
A popular destination when Woodhill dries out and the sand gets too much, Riverhead Forest’s clay-based soil makes it ideal for summer riding. The forest is huge so the riding varies from finely groomed singletrack, to rutted Moto-X trails to forestry road slogs and can be intimidating to the uninitiated. Committee member and hardcore singlespeeder Jeremy Smart will be showing us his favourite tracks.
Meet at the Barlow Road entrance, next to the Moto-X club.
March 27th – Waharau Regional Park
Pushing the limits of our “1 hr drive from the CBD” rule, Waharau is another underused gem in Auckland’s MTB repertoire. Expect a fair bit of climbing, but the stunning views over to the Coromandel and the pristine jungle singletrack make it all worthwhile.
Meet at Waharau Regional Park.
April 10th – Royal Albany Trails
These tight, twisting and technical trails are tucked in the bush just behind Massey University on the North Shore. A dedicated band of trail-builders have been steadily developing the track network and thanks to them there is now nearly 18km of singletrack available for us all to use, for free! Those same trail-builders will be showing us around so come along and show your appreciation.
Meet at Massey University, in the car park furthest away from the main buildings:
April 24th – Mangere Coastal Walkway
Described by the Kennett Bros as “a great little ride”, the walkway follows the coast of the Manukau Harbour, starting at Ambury Regional Park, and ending 7km later on a secluded beach with stunning views out to the heads. We’ll stop for a chinwag and some lollies then head back the way we came.
Because the track follows the coastline it’s almost entirely flat, which makes it perfect for younger children (suitable for kids under 12, see our policy on parental supervision), pull-along trailers and less experienced riders. For the more skilled, it’s a pleasant hour or two taking in the sea air and the views. 
If it’s a nice day we might even take along the BBQ!
Meet at Ambury Regional Park at 8:45am.
Saturday May 7th – Paul & Edd’s Excellent Hunua Adventure
A fortnightly ride with a difference, this will be a good warm-up for the Moonride the following week. We’ll be starting in the Hunuas, heading over the hill and out to Kaiaua, then up the coast for a loop of Waharau Regional Park, before returning the way we came. Bring your day pack (lots of food and water, clothes, spare parts and some cash for an ice-cream) and hopefully we’ll be back before dark…
But seriously, expect a full day of riding, about 75kms distance with a lot of climbing (and descents!). If your legs are up to it, this is a truly epic ride.
Meet at the Mangataphiri Dam car park in the Hunuas at 8:45am. Travelling south on SH1, take the Papakura turn-off then head for Hunua Rd. 10 mins out of Hunua, turn left onto Moumoukai Rd. Follow the road up and over the hill (it changes to gravel halfway up) into the Hunuas, then down the other side to the Mangataphiri Dam car park.
Sunday June 5th – Riverhead New Trails
The good people at WCRC have been hard at work carving out some new tracks in a freshly logged block at Riverhead, so we’re going to check them out!
We’ll meet at the pump track, so park on Old North Road opposite the gate. As usual aim to be there at 8:45am so we can start riding at 9am.
Directions here.
Sunday June 19th – Waiuku
It’s a bit of a drive but the forest park at Waiuku is teeming with tracks. The terrain is similar to Woodhill and Slater Rd, with the sand base working in our favour at this time of year. Being situated at Port Waikato you get some spectacular views of the mighty Waikato River as it reaches the sea.
Follow these directions. The plan is to meet at the clearing at the end of Headquarters Road at the usual time (8:45am). Any problems on the day, give Grant a call on 021 521 524.
Sunday July 3rd – Puni – CANCELLED
2nd July: Sorry folks, Tim’s succumbed to the flu so we’re cancelling this.
Committee member Tim Farmer has been hard at work on some new track at Puni MTB Park ahead of our spring race series. He’s going to lead a ride followed by a trail-building session. If you’re able to lend a hand with the digging email events@aucklandmtb.co.nz or phone 021 02994907 so that we know how much food and drink to provide.
Directions: Drive southwest out of Pukekohe on West Street, Puni Road and Waiuku Road. After 4km, turn left onto Attewell Rd. Drive for a few hundred metres and park on the right at the Puni Rugby Club.
Sunday July 17th – Sanders Reserve
Sanders Reserve is a new council-built facility near Paremoremo on the North Shore. Check out this excellent preview on the Cycling Auckland site.
The official opening isn’t until November 27th but we’ve had word from the council that the gates are now open, the ‘closed’ signs are gone and we’re welcome to go and check it out. So that’s exactly what we’ll do!
The tracks are aimed more at families and beginners so if you want to bring along younger kids, feel free. We may split into groups if there is a wide range of abilities.
Meet in the car park, accessed from the end of Sanders Rd, at the usual time of 8:45am for a 9am start.
Sunday August 14th – Maraetai
Our friends in the Puhutukawa Coast Bike Club have been hard at work over the last year or two crafting some awesome trails in Maraetai Forest. Similar to those found at nearby Whitford Forest, the tracks cater to a range of abilities but do offer some technical and challenging riding. As always, it’s all rideable!
We’ll meet at the beach between 8:45 and 9am and ride into the forest along Rewa Rd.
Saturday August 27th – Slater Road
Slater Road is a private forest usually used by the club as one of the venues for our race series. Similar terrain to Woodhill but with a very different feel, it’s absolutely riddled with primo singletrack. Owner Rob Garden will once again be setting a course and showing us round his back yard.
Note that we’re running this on the Saturday, not the Sunday! That means if you’re really keen you could make a day of it, stop for lunch, then join the Topli for their afternoon Woodhill ride!
We’ll meet at 8:45am at Rob’s place, 45 Slater Rd. Drive out West as if you were heading for Woodhill but keep going, head through Parakai then look out for Slater Road on the left.
Sunday September 11th – Hunua
As a prequel to round two of the Endura MTB Series we’ll be heading out to Hunua. If we manage to inadvertently acquire details of the course then we’ll ride that, otherwise expect a lap of the River Trail singletrack network and maybe also a ride up to the old National Downhill course, or round the Challenge Track.
Meet at Mangataphiri Dam car park. Travelling south on SH1, take the Papakura turn-off then head for Hunua Rd. 10 mins out of Hunua, turn left onto Moumoukai Rd. Follow the road up and over the hill (it changes to gravel halfway up) into the Hunuas, then down the other side to the Mangataphiri Dam car park.
October 9th – Mangere Coastal Walkway
Ride leader: Edd Ballinger
Described by the Kennett Bros as “a great little ride”, the walkway follows the coast of the Manukau Harbour, starting at Ambury Regional Park, and ending 7km later on a secluded beach with stunning views out to the heads. We’ll stop for a chinwag and some lollies then head back the way we came.
Because the track follows the coastline it’s almost entirely flat, which makes it perfect for younger children (suitable for kids under 12, see our policy on parental supervision), pull-along trailers and less experienced riders. For the more skilled, it’s a pleasant hour or two taking in the sea air and the views.
If it’s a nice day we might even take along the BBQ!
Meet at Ambury Regional Park at 8:45am.
October 23rd – Riverhead New Trails
Ride leader: Michael Stevens
The good people at WCRC have been hard at work carving out some new tracks in a freshly-logged, north-facing block at Riverhead, with new trails appearing seemingly monthly.
Driving from Auckland, the entrance to the tracks is on the left side of Old North Road (If you get to the Ararimu Valley Rd junction, you’ve gone too far). Park in the clearing on the opposite side of the road.
November 6th – Whitford
Ride leader: Tad Mejdr
Home to some of the best technical riding in Auckland (meaning steep, muddy and rooty), Whitford is a real treat at this time of year when the trails dry out and the flow comes out to play.
Meet at 8:45am on Waikopua Rd, just after the kennels. Drive out through Whitford Village. Turn right on to Waikopua Rd after about five minutes.
December 4th – Club Xmas Ride @ Sanders Reserve
What better way to celebrate the end of a fantastic year for the club than with a ride, a BBQ and a few cold beverages? Bring your family and friends, as there’s something for everyone at Auckland’s newest MTB facility.
For the ride, meet in the car park, accessed from the end of Sanders Rd, at the usual time of 8:45am for a 9am start. We’ll fire up the BBQ after that, probably around 11am.
