Auckland MTB Club

Totara Park – South Auckland

There has been a flurry of activity out at Totara Park. If you have ridden there recently you would have noticed the 100’s of survey flags marking out some 2km of new trail.  The guys have been working along with the council around the fencing and tree planting plans, so these new ones will get you to new parts of the park, away from the cows. Yesterday the grass was sprayed, digger is going in soon it’s all go!

Co-ordinated effort from the Friends of Totara Park, Gabb and Hayden from the Club, Vince and his team from the Council, the guys at Cycle City and Bike Barn and so many of the local riders .

More support and feedback is needed, check out the Friends of Totara Park Facebook site for more info. We’ll also have some updates on our website and let you know how/when you can muck in.

In an interesting development, the club has been approached about a potential area for trails. Waikumete Park is located along Great North Road near Te Atatu. More well known for the cemetery, there is actually a large forested area surrounding the park and alongside the railway. Close to other cycleway networks, i.e. Twin Streams, this area has the potential for 5-8km of trails.

The team went for a tour around the area, there is alot of potential, and great views over to the Waitakere’s.

To make it happen we need to get an idea of local support, if your keen to support or lend a hand please let us know: president@aucklandmtb.co.nz

The team assembled for the first working bee of 2012. We started with a pre-ride with a difference… a photoshoot! The council are updating their maps and asked us for some photo’s. Prez, Krusty and Doova were the models for the day, and Elvis the paparazzi…

Since the last working bee there had been lots of sunshine, and unfortunately rain, this meant lots of overgrowth. Armed with scrub cutters, slashers and sprayers the team tackled the network, ready for the club ride the next day.

Once the clearing was complete the team checked out some proposed trails, revisiting the areas and visualizing lines, stay tuned for an update on these, we’ll need your help to get ‘em built.

Check out the Working Bee, come along to the next session and earn some trail Karma.

In February a team of 15 odd riders took on the brand-new Beveridge Track (a tribute to Bill Beveridge) in the Waitakeres. It is a walking and cycling track that climbs from the western end of Exhibition Drive in Titirangi, through the stunning native bush of the Waitakere Ranges up to the Arataki Visitors Centre on Scenic Drive.

The track is wide and gravelled, has a gentle gradient for the most part (there is a steep-ish, switchbacked 200m climb up onto the ridgeline) and offers beautiful views across both the Waitamata and Manukau harbours.

There was a good train of riders, the kids leading the front of the pack, adults in tow. Someone must have mentioned there was Ice Cream at the Visitors centre…

The trail grade is suitable for all riders, 12km return, best to start the car park at the junction of Scenic Drive and Woodland Park Road. Follow your nose along Exhibition drive, you can’t miss the Beveridge Trail on the right after several km’s.

The last working bee of 2011, the team finished off on a high with the opening of a new trail extension on the Farm Loop – “Fred Flinstone”, aptly named as it traverses an old quarry. It’s after the Freaky Styley Downhill, at the far end of the valley, this is the first trail heading back to the carpark.

After some spraying and slashing spring overgrowth and tidying up some drainage, the crew assembled for the grand opening. Flanked by Ranger Scotty and Business Man Krusty and the trail crew, Club Prez Hayden cut the inner tube to declare the track open.

Thanks to Auckland Council (especially Ranger Scotty), for allowing us the opportunity to lend a hand in the trail development at Hunua, Kris at Bigfoot for getting the school groups to muck in, and  of course all the volunteers that chipped in, these trails wouldn’t be there without your help.

Check out the Working Bees page to find out when the next bee is on near you.

A group of 17 hardy riders turned up for a ride that would be more than they bargained for. The Wires Road ride starts 16km north of Paeroa, approx 25km grade 2-3, best avoided in the wet.

After a week of dry weather it was raining the morning of, not a good start… The ride started out with a steady climb, slippery rocks in some sections to a plateau at the top. There are views over to Whangamata on a good day.

Once up on the plateau it was onto the loop track, a few short sharp climbs, deep puddles and challenging downhill sections.

Once at the end of the loop we rested up at the hut, decision time, head back down the Wires Road or take on the Waipaheke Track, we went for the latter. Unfortunately there was a fair amount of walking with large motorbike ruts right up the middle of the trail. Good views out over the Waikato on the way back, but then a gnarlly descent on on bashing/walking over babyhead rocks. Once we made it down to the valley it became much more rideable, flowing singletrack along the river to the finish.

The team made it back safely but tired, taking a bit longer than bargained for, but agreed it was a great adventure.

As quoted in Mountain Biking North: “be prepared to carry your bike most of the way and enjoy pain and suffering , and the building of moral fibre. We’d recommend this ride only if it is dry, agree grade 3 on the Wires track by 4-5 on the Waipakeke Track.

BikeNZ are presenting their 5 Year Plan on Monday the 19th of March. Committee representatives will be attending, but they also want your feedback, no matter what you ride or ability they want to hear your feedback, all welcome to attend!

Click here to check out the plan, and here to register

Saturday 17th March – Wires Road

This is one of the closest back-country rides to Auckland, starting from near Paeroa. Great challenging riding in the Coromandel Range with a mix of rough climbs and tricky descents, plus there are great views overlooking Whangamata and the Bay of Plenty.

Grade 3, approx 25km 2-3 hours, expect to do a little pushing…

Plan is to meet in Paeroa (approx 1:30 from Auckland ) at 10:00am, opposite the L&P Bottle and go from there.

Not to be missed!

To sign up for this one email Hayden and he will add you to the list.

Sorry folks, I’m pulling the pin on this morning’s Riverhead ride due to the rain. It’ll be a mudfest in there today.

We received sad news the other day that Gus Stephens is closing down his excellent workshop Cycle Therapy. He’s having a closing down/garage sale/swap meet (bring you own stuff to swap/sell) on Sunday the 25th starting at 10.00am.

Cycle Therapy can be found at Unit 8a, 43a Linwood Ave, just off Saint Lukes Road.

All the best Gus!