Fellow bikers and welcome to Pedal Talk edition 23 for your reading pleasure! Hope you all had a fabulous long weekend and maybe managed to get some riding in as well, I enjoyed a weekend away at Whangamata where the Mountain Bike club over there have been very busy building new tracks and creating quite an interesting Park to explore, if you get the opportunity its worth a look over.
The weather is on the improve, tracks are riding great out at Craters and the Magpies are enjoying dive bombing the roadies! The cycle challenge is coming up, so I hope you have all been training hard for whatever your plans are on that big weekend.
Check out our new 2015 membership tags, they look very groovy, lovely shade of purple thanks to our wonderful sponsor Taupo Key and Lock, sure to pimp your ride and hopefully not clash too much!! These stunning bits of plastic will be available from 1st December 2014 for the new membership year. As per last year, you can purchase your membership online with credit card payment, or cash at any bike store in town, Whitewater World and the Hub Kitchen out by Helisika.
This year you also have the opportunity to select your own tag number! You must request your number before end of November, first in first served. Tag number request will be a minimum of a $10 donation through our “Give a little” page which is raising funds to re-build the Budda track, this will be an awesome downhill track with structures and jumps. Go to this link http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/biketaupo, complete your donation, include your name, email and the number you would like, and we will hold this number for you to issue when you complete your membership registration online in December. After 1st December tags will be out at bike stores etc so it will be random choice!!
We would also like to offer you a little incentive to get in early and get your registration done. Every membership completed online before the end of January will go into the draw to win one of 10
Great Lake Trail Tee shirts. Good luck 🙂
We have lots of exciting plans coming up for 2015, so read on the words from our leader to find out all... Cheers, Melissa.
Words of wisdom from our Leader
Hi All and welcome to Bike Taupō’s latest newsletter.
Well we thought that after we completed the Great Lake Trail, and we rebuilt the tracks at Craters that we would take things easy and not embark on any ambitious projects for a while. Unfortunately taking things easy is not as easy as we thought and generally easier said than done. So I would like to take this opportunity to give you a heads up on a couple of ideas that are in the pipeline.
The first is what we are calling The Hub, This is based around developing the area around the ‘Hub Kitchen’ (the Helicopter Café) at Wairakei as the ‘go to’ place for mountain biking at Taupō. We have started by taking over the lease for the café and have got a great couple (Jo and Caleb) in to really make the place hum. The recently opened ‘Hub Kitchen’ is providing bikers who are riding the Craters and the river trails a place to buy memberships, maps, good coffee and quality food etc. Our next step is to build a kids track over the road from the Café and hopefully improve the parking in the area and make the road safer for all of you who use the area. The big piece of work will be building a bridge over the State Highway to link up the Hub to the tracks at Craters. This will mean no dodging traffic and will be easier to negotiate for kids and beginners than the tunnel track. We are working with the Council on the design and details of this plan.
As we are all about building bridges, we are also working with Council to design and build another bridge in town. This one will be just south of Control Gates Bridge and stretch from the Amphitheatre to the Morrell Motors site. Once built, the bridge will make a huge improvement to pedestrian and cyclist safety in the area, help events and be a major step in the dream of creating an unbroken shared use track from Waitahanui to Aratiatia.
Obviously finding funding for these projects will be a challenge, but challenges are what keep us going, but if you think you could help out, please drop me a line.
Last week we were able to thank our partners and supporters at our annual partners evening. We had a great turn out of about 50 people and it was a great opportunity to be able to thank all of those who keep our wheels turning. Those assembled got to hear about what we have been up to over the past year, future plans and also a great presentation from Zelia Horrell of Destination Destination Great Lake Taupōabout how they are working to raise the profile of biking in Taupō to a global level. If you want to know more about our partners programme have a look on our website.
Speaking of sponsorship, the Kids Bike Taupō programme recently received over 10k in donations from Taupō Moana Rotary and Farmlands. This will go a huge way to keep Cath putting kids on bikes. This has been such a successful programme that Cath is heading to Nelson this weekend as the Kids Bike Taupō programme has been nominated for a NZTA Cycle Friendly Award. It is great that the programme is up there with the best cycle initiatives in the Country.
Please drop us a line if you want more information..
And, in the words of the late and great Bon Scott “Ride on”
Rowan
Track Crew News
Scrags Return The Beagle boy's have done a great job and been busy tidying up the bottom of coaster and Place Makers tracks going to and from the car park . They have also build the new end to Scrag's Return Track and the new bridge that will bring you back to the car park with out having a head on in the Tunnel (as per photos) They have done a great job and we would be lost with out them . Other place's you can see their latest handy work is the board walk on Steam Fields. There is alot of work getting those jobs done all for about 30 seconds riding so please say thanks when you go past them. We have also put the crew down Totara Gut to widen it and make the corners ride a bit better The plan is that we will use Totara Gut for the Cruiser ride of the Huka
The Skunk Worx have been busy working away out of sight as always and we now have a new track that lets you ride up to Retro and then onto Luge from the gums on Outback. For those that can't follow me Ride Chain Link , turn left at the wooden gate as normal than go along about 100 meters and you will see a hole in the old fence on the right hand side . Ride up the switch backs and that will then take you along a very long single track traverse to Retro ( sign coming soon ) For those in the Huka or Steamer , it will pay to ride it as we may put it in the race
Track Crew feel that this years Huka will be the hardest of all. With adding Steam Fields into the mix we have more single track which is more demanding but great riding
Steam Fields now that the board walk is all finished and we fixed the little mistake at he top of the hill its about finished with just the signs to come The downhill seems to be a winner and the up hill is sorting out the road riders technical skills . The down hill from the board walk is also bedding in and riding better .
Now that the Hub Kitchen is open 7 days a week, people have no reason not to have a BT pass. It's simple " You must have a pass and your name must be recorded to ride in Wairakei Forest " These are the rules from the Forest Owners. The fees are put back into the track system so don't take the p.... We just want to keep our access and also improve the tracks its that simple
We have had alot of trees down in the last two weeks all over all the tracks, thanks to all those that have send in texts and emails. Its saved heaps of time and money and also means next time you go for a ride you don't have to climb over a tree
Tetotara Gully is up and running again after the slip Thanks to the Doc track crew for dealing with it quickly
We have also being doing the normal maintenance out on the GLT. Getting rid of speed bump areas and water control work along with the odd tree that has come down in the high winds
Good on ya boys!!
Track Crew Contact Details
Email trackcrew@biketaupo.org.nz
More info: http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/news/track-crew
My records show 11,038 ‘rides’ on the Kids Bike Taupo bikes from Term 4 in 2012 until end of Term 3 in 2014. This includes 136 recorded kids learning to ride on 2 wheels for the first time.
The best news for Kids Bike Taupō has been the $9,000 we received from the good guys at Taupō Moana Rotary, who distribute the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge money. We had completely emptied our ‘bucket’, so the timing was perfect. Thanks also to Farmlands for their donation.
Term 4 is pretty much fully booked with sessions in schools through to a Pureora Timber Trail adventure with Whakamaru School. Kids Bike Taupō attended the Waitahanui Day on 25 October and we will be at the Cycle Challenge Urban Jungle Race on Friday 28 November from 4pm. We will set up a few obstacles in Horomatangi Street for the kids to ride while the adults are blasting around town.
Speaking of Cycle Challenge, the Kennett Brothers new book is being launched that weekend. All profits from sales that week are going to Kids Bike Taupō, in memory of Keith Crate. It is called ‘Volcanic Plateau - Best Bike Rides’. The book is centered around Taupo and promotes the rides from Rotorua to Ohakune. You know you will buy it anyway, so buy it during Cycle Challenge and Kids Bike Taupō benefits. A great idea for a Christmas present!
We took a group of adults and teachers for a ride in the holidays, without children. They had never been on the Great Lake Trail before and just loved their introduction to mountainbiking. We would love to do more of these rides. It shows how getting kids on bikes puts pressure on adults to ride too.
Random Ratbag Racing is on hold for a few Mondays while the Taupō BMX Club asphalt the berms. We might adjourn to the Spark Trails dirt jumps in Spa Park, depending on how many Ratbags are keen. There are truck loads, literally, of new dirt there. Maybe we will just get them on the end of a shovel first?
The NZTA/CAN Conference is in Nelson on 28/29 October. We wait to see how we go in the Cycle Friendly Awards.
Enjoy the warmer weather by taking a kid biking. Cath Oldfield
For any info or queries in relation to our Kids Bike Taupo programme, please contact Cath Oldfield at kids@biketaupo.org.nz
Taupo Mountain Bike Club - October news/events
Our congratulations go out to Ryan Hunt on his massive effort winning the U23 24-hour Solo cross-country World Champs, World championship titles do not come along by sitting on the couch, hours & hours of training and dedication are required, Crikey I would struggle to stay awake for 24 hours let alone riding a bike at race pace, “Great effort Ryan”. Taupo MTB club is very proud of you.
November is the club’s busiest month of the year for organizing and running MTB events, if you are available to volunteer to help for the following this would be really appreciated, contact Warren
Social Evening / AGM 21st November - This years the Social get together is being held at the Taupo Yacht club, 6.00pm – 10.00pm. The strategic plan has been updated & there are a few new initiatives to be launched. We also have been lucky enough to have confirmed the attendance of Gil Peters, president of MTBNZ. Gil will provide an overview of MTBNZs vision for increasing the profile of NZ MTBing on the world stage. Also accompanying Gil will be one of NZs Elite riders, who will provide an entertaining informative insight into the world of Elite racing at an international level, Tickets are $10 will be available pre sale or on at the door. (includes finger food & drink) cash bar also available.
Urban Jungle MTB Challenge 28th November - A first for MTBing in Taupo. 4 riders at a time start together, Hurtling off the starting ramp located in the Middle of Tongariro Street in front of hundreds of spectators, the course navigates it’s way past the Visitor Information Center entrance, up the Library ramp, down the stairs, through the entrance of the Great Lake Center, back around to cenotaph, into the domain and finish back on Tongariro Street , Fast, Furious & really good fun action racing, in front of the biggest audience ever. All heats will be timed, top 2 times move on to final rounds, Online entries go to cyclechallenge.com/enter.
Mid North Island Cup 23rd November (M-NIC)
A four round, low-key, cross-country series, held at Tokoroa, Napier, Taupo & Tauranga - with round # 3 held at the Craters MTB park), on Sunday 23rd November. ($25 entry) The event is a multiple lap event with a 8km loop - tracks we are intending to use possibly will be Beagle Boys> SH Fun, BBC or similar. So nothing to hard out so book this or these events into your diary.
Date change – NZ National XC & DH - 7th & 8th February respective As previously mentioned, the Taupo MTB club is set to host a round of the NZ XC & DH MTB championships, Taupo will now host round 4 of the national series,
Photo is recent club trip on the Timber Trail, great weekend had by all
Real exciting news is that The Rock Stars of the MTB & DH world are coming to town, Sam Gaze has confirmed his attendance in Taupo and it is very likely that Anton Cooper will contest the final round also. This will be an Epic battle, word also has it, that’s it’s likely that Karen Hanlen & Kate Fluker will go head to head also. On the DH scene Brook (The Bull Dog) MacDonald and Wyn Masters are confirmed, and I hear Sam Blenkinsop, George Brannigan and Eddie Masters are likely to start also.
So we are in for a real treat having riders of this caliber tearing up the Craters MTB Park and the Tauhara DH Track. I will keep you all informed as news comes to hand.
I would really encourage you all to enter and have a crack at that this event as it caters for all abilities of rider. The age group categories are held in the morning with the Elites racing in the afternoon, Event village will have a carnival type atmosphere going on with food tents, sponsors, race teams, music and race commentary all going on. More detail to follow.
The Cranky Divas (womens mountain biking group) are planning a trip to Rotovegas on 1st November to check out the new Skyline mountain bike tracks, followed by a ride in the Redwoods, they are teaming up with the Rotorua ladies mountain bike group. Check out the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CrankyDivasTaupo for details, phone Melissa on 377 1044 or contact the mountain bike club.
Taupo BMX Club
Well we have a busy time coming up. We have successfully fundraised and secured funding to Tar-seal the track berms. This is a major achievement for the club, and once sealed our track, along with the recent upgrade of the gate and ramp, will be one of the top class tracks around NZ. The first of the berms are getting tar-sealed this week, in preparation for the Major event we are holding next year – the 2015 North Island Titles.
We had 22 riders heading to Pukekohe over Labour weekend to race at the North Island Titles.
And our very own Mark Harland-Croft secured the number 2 spot in the Senior Test team. There are only 4 spots open with some very fierce competition. Mark is the first one from The Taupo BMX Club to make the team, and will be racing against Australia at Labour weekend, and will also head over to Australia to race them again end of December.
We normally have our sprockets and new beginners training on a Monday night, but this is on hold while the berms are getting done.
Keep in touch with Taupo BMX Club: http://www.taupobmx.org.nz/ or Facebook.com/taupobmxclub
Taupo Cycling Club
Foremac Spring Series
As most of you are aware the Spring series is now in full swing with great numbers turning up.
If you haven’t been up there yet make sure to get along this Tuesday gates open from 5.30. Racing at 6, there is a class for everyone, from wily old vets to juniors. The race track offers a safe environment to learn skills of the open road.
Results will be posted weekly on our website http://www.taupocyclingclub.org.nz/
Sunday Morning Rides
Now with the longer days we are seeing more riders turn up, these rides leave from outside farmers building every Sunday morning at 8 am.
AGM
Be sure to come along to our AGM kicking off from
6:15pm on Monday 10th November at the club rooms AC Baths (near the climbing wall).
Please mark the date in your calendar and come along!
Face Book page,
In the last two years we have gone from 85 followers to nearly 250, thank you to all who follow the club here, we try to keep it updated with news and events.
https://www.facebook.com/taupocyclingclub
Summer Concert - take your bike!!
The concert is being held at Whakaipo Lodge on Saturday 28 February 2015 from 3:30pm until 7:30pm.
Andrew London of Hot Club Sandwich & Too Many Chief’s fame has brought together “Lucky Break” featuring Wayne Mason (Warratahs & Fourmyula). Playing country, blues, jazz, western & swing.
Tickets will be $30 with $5 from each ticket sale going to support Bike Taupo.
Information and ticket sales are available on EventFinda . www.eventfinda.co.nz
Tickets will also be available direct from Whakaipo Lodge – bookings@whakaipolodge.co.nz ,
ph 07 378 9298
Sounds like a good day out, why not ride the W2K first, then picnic and beer at the concert 🙂
Adventure event
CONTACT EPIC - NZ'S ULTIMATE MTB CHALLENGE:April 18, 2015
The Contact Epic is a journey of discovery, circumnavigating the shores of Lake Hawea, Wanaka, NZ. Sited as NZ’s Ultimate MTB Challenge, this is more of an adventure than a race.
You have the choice of
125km, 95km or 35km leg
Starts on the Hawea Dam and finishes in the garden bar of the Lake Hawea Hotel
The event houses breath-taking scenery of the Southern Alps, Mt Aspiring and two 
high country stations.
While achievable for the weekend warrior, it is also regarded as NZ's test piece MTB race for endurance athletes and people with a sense of adventure.
This race is about mountain biking as it was. Do it all on your terms
no compulsory bike checks,
no gear lists,
no cotton wool
no excuses.
Determination, preparation and planning will get you to the finish line with a sense of satisfaction that will be hard to beat.
Get a bunch of mates together and enjoy the ride or set out on your own ride that is unforgettable. Situated just over the hill from Queenstown international airport this race is now all the more accessible. Entries close March 30. For further information, to see some of the terrain for yourself and to enter go to www.contactepic.co.nz or contact Danielle at info@lmsevents.co.nz on 0064 3 443 609
News flash...... especially for coffee lovers
The Hub Kitchen is now open and all go for your re-fuelling purposes, and bonus, you get a 10% discount for being a Bike Taupo member! Convienently located next to Helisika,on Huka Falls Road, its a great spot to start and finish your days riding.
Go check it out 🙂
  
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