Mountain Biking

 

 

What is it?

Mountain biking usually refers to the sport of riding bicycles possessing particular design characteristics, mountain bikes, off-road, although sometimes the term simply refers to riding a mountain bike. The sport requires endurance, bike handling skills and self-reliance. It is an individual sport which can be performed almost anywhere. There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling. Because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance in the sport. Riders must learn to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded miles from help. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

 

Mountain biking is roughly broken down into five categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding. However, most mountain bikes have a similar look: knobby tires, large round frame tubing, and some sort of suspension or shock absorbers. Mountain biking can be done anywhere from a back yard to a gravel road, but the majority of mountain bikers prefer to ride trails they call singletrack. These are narrow trails that wind through forests or fields. In New Zealand the rides are graded 1-6:

Grade 1: Fairly flat, wide and smooth track or gravel road. Suitable for all first-time riders.

Grade 2: Gentle climbs and easily avoidable obstacles such as rocks and potholes. You couldn't ride it in your sleep, but most beginners will still enjoy these rides.

Grade 3: Challenging riding with steep slopes and/or tricky obstacles, possibly on a narrow track with poor traction. Re­ quires average riding experience and some fitness.

Grade 4: A mixture of long steep climbs, loose track surfaces, and difficult or dangerous obstacles to avoid or jump over. Some sections will be easier to walk.

Grade 5: Killer climbs, dangerous drop-offs, sharp corners, and numerous tricky obstacles. Some sections are definitely safer and easier to walk.

Grade 6: Trials skills essential to clear many huge obstacles. High risk level. Only a handful of riders will enjoy these rides, apart from bike'n hike enthusiasts.

 

What MUAC does:

Mountain bike trips are organised by MUAC usually about once a semester, these trips range in grade from about 2 -4 and are usually a simple day trip but some time we overnight before the ride if we are doing a trail further a field

 

Local Opportunities:

 

Takapari Road Ruahine Range

Grade 3, 4-8 hours, 32 km return

How to get there: Takapari Road is 50 km northwest of P almerston North, and just east of the Pohangina River. Turn right onto Takapari Road just past Pohangina Scenic Reserve.

Route description: Follow the old 4WD track as it climbs Dela ware Ridge for 700 m. It winds steeply into the Ruahines and although you may sweat buckets on the way up, take warm clothes as you will cool off fast on the exposed tops. Once you reach the main Ruahine ridge, turn south; you can ride to Travers Hut and beyond. Head back the same way you came.

Track conditions: 20% gravel road, 80% 4WD track

Notes: Take Topomap T23 Kimbolton.

 

Kahuterawa Loop

18 km south of Palmerston North

Grade 3, 1-2 hours, 12 km long

Landowners: The pine forest is John Reid Consultants.

Route description: Almost 4 km past Kahuterawa Park, which is on Kahuterawa Road 8 km south of Massey University, you'll come across an old wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and take the right-hand track, which climbs steadily for half an hour. It tops out at a four-way intersection. This is where route finding becomes tricky.

Turn left and follow the most ridden trail down to the old wooden bridge. There are turn-offs all over the place, avoid pedalling up hill for more than three minutes. The chances of getting temporarily lost are high. Good luck!

Track conditions: 70% 4WD track, 30% single track

Notes: There is a big swimming hole just up stream from the bridge. Watch out for big bogs in winter.

 

Kohitere Forest

Grade 3+, 1-4 hours, 7-25 km

Landowners: Rayonier Ltd-check with them which areas are out of bounds, or ask at Southend Cycles, 155 Oxford Street, Levin, phone (06) 368 5459.

How to get there: Start at the corner of Gladstone Road and Queen Street East, 4 km east of Levin.

Route description: As there are tracks constantly being built in here, it is best to buy an up-to-date colour map from South­end   Cycles before your ride. Here are two good loops.

 

Russells Track

Grade 3+, 1 hour, 7 km

Turn left at the end of Queen Street East and aim for the bot­tom of Trig Road a few hundred metres away.

Hop over the gate and ride to the ridge at the top of Trig Road, Turn right at the ridge and follow the main road. After about 10 minutes it will lead you off the ridge, back towards Levin on a fast downhill. About 50 metres before the end of the road is a narrow single track diving off on your right-this is Russels Track. It twists and turns its way through the forest for 2km before tossing you back onto the bottom of Trig Road.

 

Kohitere Loop

Grade 3+, 2-3 hours, 10-18 km

Follow Gladstone Road as it heads south and then curls for 9 km to the Kohitere Forest entrance (signposted). Hop over the gate and follow the main gravel road (Ridge Road) across a bridge and up a steep hill towards the summit ridge. Veer right when you reach Spencer Road. Spencer Road leads to the Big Dipper, a steep downhill and gut-busting climb. Near the top, ride under the electricity cables, onto the summit ridge.

Turn left and enjoy the track along the ridge. After 1 km you'll pass Trig Road on your right. Continue along the ridge track for a few hundred metres to a six-way intersection. Turn left here and follow the main track down. It becomes quite narrow as it wiggles its way down to Gladstone Road, 2 km from the forest entrance.

Track conditions: 30%) sealed road, 30% gravel road, 40"/<) 4WD track, single track optional

Notes: Do not race down Trig Road as it is a user conflict hotspot.

 

Useful books:

Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides by; Paul, Simon and Jonathan Kennett

 

Other opportunities

 

42 Traverse

Tongariro Forest

Grade 3-, 3-6 hours, 44km

How to get there: From National Park township, head north­ on Highway 47. After 18 km you'll reach Kapoors Road on your left (signposted) and a parking area. Kapoors Road is too rough for most cars, but a good downhill on your bike.

Route description: This is one of the most popular mountain bike rides in the North Island. It involves brilliant biking on old logging tracks, through remote native bush and an over­ all descent of 570 m.

DOC have signposted this track with marker posts 10 metres before and after every major intersection. However, don't count solely on the markers for navigation yokels are bound to use them for target practice at some stage.

After riding down Kapoors Road for 7 km, you'll reach a marked turn-off on your right. Head north on this undulating 4WD track past two or three major turn-offs. From spot height 793 there is an absolutely superb downhill all the way to Waione Stream. When you reach Waione Stream, turn right and follow the track down valley for a few hundred metres. The track then hangs another sharp right and climbs away from the stream for 200 metres, before turning left and sidling down valley again. Be­fore long you'll hit the main ford across the Waione. Stick to the main 4WD track from here on. The way to Owhango is via Te Kaha and along Dominion Road. It's best to finish on a downhill, so arrange to be met at the big bridge across the Whakapapa River, 1.5 km sh, Owhango. There's a picnic area, swimming hole, and walking track at the bridge.

Track conditions: 35% gravel road, 65%4WD track

Notes: This is an isolated area which has seen many bikers totally lost. Take extra clothes, food and first aid, and make sure some responsible knows what you're up to. For safety and more detail take the Tongariro Forest Adventure Map.

 

 

 Mountain Bike links

www.mountainbike.co.nz