Colson Road Forest update

"This smelly little pine forest is the worst ride in the country" - Classic NZ Mountain Bike Rides, 7th Ed.

The NPDC have appear to have finished logging along a 20m wide strip in the area where the main 4WD track finishes climbing and comes closest to the landfill area (and you have a scenic view down into the open landfill). The gate is now unlocked and you can ride in there with care after hours.

The NPDC are to erect in this area, a high and supposedly more rubbish proof fence and then plant in behind the fence eucalyptus trees. The existing track in this area will be lost and a new one will need to be constructed to the east of the eucalypts to make it possible to have a circuit.

The adjacent landfill has a finite life and it is anticipated that the landfill operations will move elsewhere. So we will be pressing for the landfill area (that would be unsuitable for re-planting with forestry trees) be used for off-road recreational use. The extent of trails could then extend to the west back to where they were in previous years.

So in the meantime it is the interest of off-road bikers that the existing forest is kept in use by mountain bikers and events are held back there. Being within easy riding distance of suburban New Plymouth, the Colson Road Forest is a facility that should not be lost.


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Mangamahoe Trail Update

New Plymouth Mountain Bikers are currently undertaking a lot of trail maintainence and development work in the Lake Mangamahoe mountain bike area. The aim of this work is to make the trails more fun, safer and long lasting.

Trail work is being designed and supervised by experienced trail builders from NP MTB and will form the basis of a comprehensive and sustainable trails network that has the agreement of the land owners, the New Plymouth District Council.

The above sign will be posted at the Lake today, following digging over the weekend that has not only undone a lot of hard and valued work by a handful of club members, but has also made the trails unsafe for many riders.

If you are want to create your own tracks or jumps then let us know - we're happy to work with you to realise your vision without ruining the hard work put in by others. Still keen? Contact Graeme or come along to a working bee! More challenging downhill and cross-country trails are planned for Busing Forest off Scout Road, so you could get involved with these too.

Working bees have recommenced on Thursdays at 5.30 pm so you can come along at that time and join the trail building crew to do some work on new and existing trails.

Results from Sunday's race at Mangamahoe

Carl showing some style:

3 lap results:

1. Thomas Lindup........1 hour 23 mins 30 secs
2. Matt Goodsell..........1 hour 30 mins 45 secs
3. Carl Whittleston.......1 hour 35 mins 30 secs
4. Alan de Latour.........1 hour 36 mins 45 secs
5. Carey Mander..........1 hour 40 mins 30 secs
6. Les Thorn..............1 hour 47 mins 15 secs

2 lap results:

1. Lian Brownson.........1 hour 19 mins
2. Paul Simkin............1 hour 19 mins 15 secs

Matt and Thomas sharing while the others cannot believe what they are hearing:

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Trail maintenance working bees

Trail maintenance working bees after work on Thursdays till Christmas.

The grass and blackberry are starting to grow and some of the existing trails need some grooming.

Some of us will be out at Mangamahoe on Thursday evenings after work - so feel free to join us from 5.30 pm onwards.

Committee Meeting was on Wednesday 22nd October

The meeting had a good turn out.

Main items covered were:

a. Roles to be allocated
b. 2009 Uni Games especially DH location & Competition Manager
c. Trail maintenance working bees needed
d. Young riders to be catered for on Sunday rides
e. Others interested to help
f. 2009 Masters Games
g. Jump Park update

Minutes to be posted when available.