Xmas Newsletter 2019
Well, it’s that time of the year, things are just a little crazy!!
Bike Taupo has had a busy year and we are all looking forward to a nice holiday. I am off to Tasmania for a week of mountain biking and can hardly contain myself, reckon its going to be amazing, will share with you on Facebook!
Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year, get out there and enjoy everything that mountain biking offers you, explore, challenge and stay safe!
Pedal on - Melissa Johnson, Bike Taupo Administrator
Words of wisdom from our Chair...
(Pete loves his photo in the newsletter, at least its an old photo so he looks younger!! :)
Bike Taupo have ticked some box’s this year by developing the Hub area and then getting the second underpass in on Craters Road, these have been huge improvements to Craters Mountain Bike Park in regards to running events and making it safer.
The Hub area is coming along nicely, some people may say slowly, but we have trouble visualising what we had planned on a drawing to what transpires on the ground, and progress is stage by stage!
The Underpass under Craters Road was a real game changer for the Huka mountain bike event making it safer as we had no road crossing to control.
Craters Mountain Bike Park has had a lot of logging over the last few months and we are also going to have all the Gums logged in January and February 2020. This is going to affect a large number of tracks and also the ability to ride from or back to the car park. We have arranged access on Q line Road once Walters Wiggles, Incline and Tank Stand down hill close. There will be lots of signage put up and we will open areas ASAP after the logging.
We will be bombing face book with information. We anticipate logging will start in the Chain Link area first then progress towards the Connection.
The Otaketake Track is open but we haven’t quite finished the Kawakawa Road section down to the car park on Whangamata Road. The concrete path on Whangamata Road is in, its just the joining bits that are missing at the moment!
The Great Lake trail is riding well but have to say we did drop the ball a bit on maintaining the Waihaha section and it’s a bit overgrown! We have been too busy building new tracks and car parks. It's under control and on the radar in next two weeks!
Don’t forget other great tracks in the area. The Waihaha Hut track is riding the best it's ever been, Grade 4 in pure NZ native forest, its just magic riding. Te Iringa is a great grade 5, summer riding in the beech forest. Tongairio River trail is a lovely 18 km easy ride and the Taupo Huka Trails running from Control gates down to the Aratiatia Dam.
Enjoy the holidays. Pete Masters - Bike Taupo Chair
Bike Taupo have ticked some box’s this year by developing the Hub area and then getting the second underpass in on Craters Road, these have been huge improvements to Craters Mountain Bike Park in regards to running events and making it safer.
The Hub area is coming along nicely, some people may say slowly, but we have trouble visualising what we had planned on a drawing to what transpires on the ground, and progress is stage by stage!
The Underpass under Craters Road was a real game changer for the Huka mountain bike event making it safer as we had no road crossing to control.
Craters Mountain Bike Park has had a lot of logging over the last few months and we are also going to have all the Gums logged in January and February 2020. This is going to affect a large number of tracks and also the ability to ride from or back to the car park. We have arranged access on Q line Road once Walters Wiggles, Incline and Tank Stand down hill close. There will be lots of signage put up and we will open areas ASAP after the logging.
We will be bombing face book with information. We anticipate logging will start in the Chain Link area first then progress towards the Connection.
The Otaketake Track is open but we haven’t quite finished the Kawakawa Road section down to the car park on Whangamata Road. The concrete path on Whangamata Road is in, its just the joining bits that are missing at the moment!
The Great Lake trail is riding well but have to say we did drop the ball a bit on maintaining the Waihaha section and it’s a bit overgrown! We have been too busy building new tracks and car parks. It's under control and on the radar in next two weeks!
Don’t forget other great tracks in the area. The Waihaha Hut track is riding the best it's ever been, Grade 4 in pure NZ native forest, its just magic riding. Te Iringa is a great grade 5, summer riding in the beech forest. Tongairio River trail is a lovely 18 km easy ride and the Taupo Huka Trails running from Control gates down to the Aratiatia Dam.
Enjoy the holidays. Pete Masters - Bike Taupo Chair
Cycling Hub Car Park
The car park area is progressing on Huka Falls Road opposite Four B and Kefi @ The Hub. Its been all go here, car park is now tar-sealed, shelter (looking like a small house!) and bike wash underway, toilets are in place.
The new Otaketake track is completed!
GLT sweet single track, riding up and down from Kinloch or loop this section incorporating K2K and Orakau to give you an approx 38km of riding with stunning views.
Please remember this is a two way track!! -enjoy :)
and…
Don't forget to complete our survey on completion of your ride, this helps us receive much needed funding to keep this trail GREAT! You can do this online or at the Tipsey Trout while enjoying your coffee!
Kids Bike Taupo
Kids Bike Taupo has a few daycare bookings over the holidays, but is generally quiet. Several grandparents have already contacted us to borrow bikes for their grandchildren. It is fun to see them return each year and get a bigger bike.
Cath will help with the TDC Road Safety Adventure on 15 January and possibly E Bike Introduction on 16 January. After school sessions finish on Thursday 19 December.
Pihanga Reserve Party was amazing and we have Waitahanui on Friday evening. These non commercial events really fit well with our Kids Bike Taupo Programme. I hear the Christmas parade was fun and a big thanks to Sarah Wraight for taking Ricky Biker. She reported that there were lots of comments that she wasn't Cath!!
The set up at the Cycle Challenge went well and I love having the TDC Road Safety people helping. It’s not so lonely or as much work. Thanks also to GJ Gardiner for the use of their wooden pump track.
Cath was involved in a meeting with TDC about a Crown Park biking upgrade. We want to repair the concrete and repaint the little road for now and looking at a bigger plan. Carpark, pump track, perimeter path, drink fountain. That will be Long Term Plan stuff, but nice to know it’s not only me banging on about it.
Happy holidays everyone. Keep supporting those little kids to get riding as soon as possible. Balance bikes and then two wheels! No training wheels on those Christmas presents.
Ho Ho Ho - Merry Xmas from Cath!
Cath will be back 20th January 2020, all sessions 3.30pm to 5pm
Mondays – BMX Track
Tuesdays – Trails in Spa Park
Thursdays – Craters Mountain Bike Park (in the old carpark)
Entries are now open for Craters Classic 2020
Another epic event coming your way on 14th June 2020, you wont want to miss this! We are working hard on some great new courses for you which will be totally different from previous years. Watch our Facebook page for updates, all info on the website including a new family entry, and groovy merchandise!!
Get in quick for the early bird entry…
A MTB Adventure in August 2020
Exciting news for Craters Classic participants in 2020. We have partnered with You Travel Taupo and "Have Fun Tours" in Australia to bring you the opportunity for a MTB adventure in August 2020.
Our first tour has now sold out and the second is half full.
This promotion has limited numbers and you will need to get in quick to reserve your space. Race our event in June then head off for a week of fantastic mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast to escape our winter! Plus, we will be giving away a FREE trip at prize giving.
Ride, Relax, Repeat…
You can book your space NOW!!
Bike Taupo 2020 Membership
2019 red tags are now expired.
Everyone MUST carry proof of their valid club membership on them when riding / running within the Craters Mountain Bike Park via the ID tag attached to their bike, helmet, bag or person in a visible location
Renewing is easy. Follow these easy instructions:
1. Click the link below to login - If you have forgotten your username or password click on the Forgot Login link at the login page.
2. Once you are logged in scroll down or select My Membership on the side menu.
3. Find your plan and click the blue Renew Now link.
4. Find your credit card
Bike Taupo Annual membership 2020 - Join here