Bike Taupo Pedal Talk Issue #30

Kia Ora

Fellow pedal pushers and welcome to our first newsletter for 2016.  First off a very BIG Happy New Year to you all and hope it has been kind so far.  Secondly we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you wonderful people who have signed up and supported us with purchasing your 2016 membership.  Your membership goes a long way to ensuring the ongoing building and maintenance of our great trails so please ensure your tag is up to date for this current year.  The boys (and girls.... watch out you dont want me chasing you down!!) will be out there checking tags, so make sure your's is clearly visible, Bruce can't ride very fast and has poor eyesight from a mispent youth!!  Please help us out also by ensuring that the mates you are riding with are also tagged up.

Part of my role as administrator  for Bike Taupo involves seeking out and securing funding for ongoing projects.  We recently submitted an application for the Mitre 10 community renovation to build a downhill wall ride (example as per photo). This is going to be built on the downhill section of Tankstand.  Unfortunately we were unsucessful in this particular application and will try other sources when they become avaliable. In the meantime we will be setting this project up on a crowd funding website called "give a little" so will let you know when that is up and running.  This wall ride would be an awesome addition to the Park and we really would like to see it go ahead. Every bit helps to make that happen.  If you know of any businesses who may be keen to sponsor a structure like this, please let us know so we can talk turkey.  Lets do this, it would be very cool!!!

Bike Taupo AGM

Just a heads up in regards of our upcoming AGM so you can mark your diaries for the occasion, agenda to follow:

Monday 15th February, 6pm upstairs at the BNZ bank  -  all welcome

Hope to see you there. Until then, happy riding 🙂

Cheers, Melissa

Track Crew NewsRotary ride

Some major improvements to the Bungy track, now sees this being an easier option when riding from town.  The big grassy hill now has a switchback track winding its way to the top (as per photos, there was a comment on facebook that the digger driver looked "hot" so perhaps it was a sunny day!). A Big THANKS to the good buggers at Rotary for helping us out with these improvements. There will also be some track re-alignments coming to the Taylors Bluff section of the Rotary ride section to Huka Falls coming soon so watch this space. We have had loads of tourists riding over this track during the holidays.

Great Lake Trail

A few trees came down on W2K and Chinaman’s, but apart from that the trail is riding well. The track crew did a few days in the Western Bays before Christmas cleaning up the track and spraying. They have also been spraying the willows in the Chinaman’s wetland and preparing areas to plant out this winter. There is no quantitative indication as to the track use over the Christmas period but Kinloch looked busy with bikes all over the place.

Outback

We have recently received funding from the good buggers at Trailfund to upgrade the track to Waihaha hut and also continue the good work on another section of the Te Iringa track.  The boys together with Carl Larson from the Hawkes Bay Mountain Bike Club recently did a rekkie of the situation, some photos attached.  By all reports this is a great ride, but not so good after beer and pies aye Carl!!

 

Chad is modelling the TrailFund T shirt, you rock that Chad!!

Track Crew Contact Details

Email trackcrew@biketaupo.org.nz

More info: http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/news/track-crew

Kids Bike Taupo

Bertha the van and Cath have a lovely break over the holiday period, but are starting to get busier with holiday programme. Random Ratbags at 3.30pm for BMX on Mondays and then 3.30pm at Spark Trails in Spa Park on Tuesdays has started again too.

Term 1 is completely booked, and many schools have missed out for not getting in quicker. It will be the first time at Playcentre, but many other early childhood centres like to see us regularly.

We are busy in the evenings with the Taupo District Council Our Neighbourhood Series. Please come and say 'Hello' if you see us at a reserve near you. Other community events are the Waitangi Day Celebration on Saturday 6 February in the Tongariro Domain. Whakaipo Lodge Concert Saturday 27 February. Wairakei Tourist Park promotion Saturday 2 April.

Thank you to Mighty River Power for the $1,200 cash injection. This money will be used to take biking to the early childhood centres. We are concentrating on these younger ones so they are riding well before they get to school.

We have bought some new little 18" BMX bikes with funding from the Alterno Foundation. The riders aged 6 to 9 ish are appreciating have a bike they fit well to go over the jumps.

Thanks to all the families, schools and centres who support our Kids Bike Taupo programme

Cath Olfield, Kids Bike Taupo  kids@biketaupo.org.nz

Taupo Mountain Bike Club

Well, I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy new year. It is always a great time to catch up with friends, family and get in some sneaky training for the summer series. This year’s edition of the summer series is due to kickoff on the 4th of February and will consist of 8 rounds. Online entries are now available so checkout the mountain bike website for details.

The format will be familiar to those returning competitors with the Pack and Pedal series consisting of a long (14-16k) and short (8-10k) course options sponsored by Pack and Pedal.

For the kids we have the Huka Cycles sponsored rockets (4-6k) and sprockets (1.5k) options.

Thanks to Hendon at Pack and Pedal and Brendon at Huka cycles for their ongoing support helping this event to be a success.


On the social front Gina has done another great job and organised a fantastic trip to the Timber Trail. By all accounts everyone had a great time and enjoyed the track, company and scenery.

2016 TMTBC Junior Development Squad

Applications are now open for the Clubs 2016 Junior Development Squad – detailed information and the application form can be found on the Clubs website. A press release will be in the Taupo Times on Tuesday 26th January.

The primary focus of the Program is to identify the regions local MTB talent (aged between 12 – 16 years) and provide a pathway that enables the junior members to transition from a weekend rider to a proficient and competitive MTB racer at a local, regional and national level.

In 2016 the squad will be aimed at riders looking to achieve on a national level – these riders will demonstrate a passion and commitment to mountain biking; they will have strong skills and a high level of fitness; they will be race ready.

The Junior Development Program will also cater to a small number of ‘developing riders’ - these are riders that will show a passion for the sport; they will show potential to develop their skills and improve their fitness - ideally they will aspire to race at a national level.

This year the selection process will be more in-depth to help ensure that the final 2016 squad are the kids who really want to excel and are willing to put in the time and effort required. Applicants will be required to race the Clubs Summer Series Long Course. After 3 rounds they will attend a skills session from which a wider training group will be selected. This group will be given advice on training and focussing toward the TMTBC Championships to be held on 10th April. From this event the final squad selections will be made.

Ride Hard

Cheers, Mat

(photo is of Mat before start of Huka, doesnt he look happy and oh so clean, wonder what he looked like at the end??)

www.mountainbiketaupo.org.nz

Taupo Cycling Club

Tuesday Night Racing  -  Starting Tuesday February 2nd

Taupo Cycle Club are pleased to announce the dates of the Summer Series 2016, Located at the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park.

This year there will be a new format for registration and can be done online via the Club Website. This will require riders to be a Taupo Cycle Club member and payment for the series to be paid by all who ride.

Follow the tabs on the website for registration under weekly rides and membership.

We look forward to seeing you all there for an 8 week race series.

As well as organising weekly rides like the Sunday Morning Social Ride, Tuesday Night Racing and Skills Session or Racing at the Velodrome, the club encourages entry into a variety of local, regional and international cycling events and you can check out the event calendar to find out more

Keep up to date with everything cycling in the Lake Taupo region by subscribing to our eNewsletter, liking us on Facebook or checking out our Latest News page. Get in touch with Taupo Cycling Club to find out more!

Any questions please e-mail secretary@taupocyclingclub.org.nz or barry@dbcon.co.nz

More Info: http://www.taupocyclingclub.org.nz/sun-morning-rides.html

https://www.facebook.com/taupocyclingclub


Whakaipo Lodge Concert

Whakaipo Lodge Summer Concert: Saturday 27th February 2016 4-7pm

The Andrew London Trio are back by popular demand with special guest artists and a new album of whimsical songs. Themes run the gamut from rugby fans, driving habits, youth culture, male insecurities, pretentious socialites and other issues of concern to the average, middle-class, Antipodean baby-boomer.

Fundraising once again for Bike Taupo & Kids Bike Taupo so come along, have a great afternoon and support a very worthy cause. Limited ticket sales.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $10 Children. Buy now only on EVENTFINDA.http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/whakaipo-lodge-summer-concert/taup

This looks like a goodie people, get your entry in for this exciting new event .......

Ruapehu Express

The Ruapehu Express is a brand new event taking place Saturday 27 February 2016, based in Ohakune. There are options to Mountain Bike 50km or 21 km or Trail Run/Walk 21km or 15km.

Mountain Bikers crank from the lower Tukino Ski Field road to Ohakune across varied terrain including NZ Army tussock LAV tracks, Karioi forest single track and Rangataua Forest native bush. The course is mainly slightly downhill which means, speed, fun, flow and very few energy sapping climbs. There is also a shorter 21km ride for those wanting a shorter challenge that starts part way though the Karioi forest, weaves through the Rangataua forest and glides down to the Ohakune finish line.

Runners and walkers have an equally scenic and stunning event on a completely separate course. Competitors will start at Horopito and finish in Ohakune. Half Marathoners complete the historic and scenic Old Coach Road plus extra trails on their journey to Ohakune. 15km participants run or walk the Old Coach Road.

Both events end up at the Ohakune Junction around the same time for cold drinks and stories.

Ruapehu EXPRESS – MTB, run or walk some of the coolest terrain on the planet!

Contact info@ruapehuexpress.co.nz 021 632721

Check out the website here:  www.ruapehuexpress.co.nz

 

March 19th, 2016

This, the 2nd Big Bike Film Night, sees us get bigger, better and more entertaining. What’s the Big Bike Film Night all about? Sharing the best cycling short films from around the world with you, our audience.

It will showcase a collection of short movies that have everything a bike centric audience could want- action, drama, plenty of humour and even a hint of romance, making you want to fall in love with your bike all over again. So make Saturday big! Unless you are on your bike, there are few better places to be in Taupo.

Screening starts at 7:45pm

Venue: Starlight Cinema, Taupo

Tickets & Bookings: Available from Starlight Cinema, Taupo

It's going to be a great night of films celebrating cycling, hope we can see you there.

Visit our website to learn more about the event.

Any questions please contact Brett Cotter on 021 748 441

All bikes. All terrains. All good.

Get Your Nominations In .....

Nominations for the Bike Wise NZ’s Favourite Places to Cycle awards have opened and you can help our region win by nominating your favourite local bike trail now!! (and you could win a $500 bike shop voucher for your efforts).

Go online and nominate your favourite local bike trail. The categories are:

https://www.bikewise.co.nz/bikes-riding/nzs-favourite-places-cycle

- Favourite Urban Trail or Commute (e.g. Great Lake Walkway)

- Favourite Off Road or Adventure Ride (eg. Huka Falls Trails)

- Favourite On Road Ride (eg. Cycle Challenge course)

- Favourite Nga Haerenga NZ Cycle Trail (eg. Great Lake Trail)

(Note: For the region drop down box, select Waikato).

A3 or A4 posters promoting the competition are available for displaying at your business, contact Marion@GreatLakeTaupo.com.

Teamfund Fundraising

All you have to do is snap pictures of your shopping receipts to earn cash donations for Bike Taupo.

TeamFund has developed a “pay-it-forward” funding model that puts the donation power in the hands of communities.

Support our local businesses and at the same time raise funds for BT that will enable us to continuing improving our tracks and support Kids Bike Taupo.

TeamFund is an easy to use fundraising app: turn pictures of your everyday shopping receipts into cash donations with this free app. Get started today:

1. Download the free TeamFund app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

2. Shop in participating businesses and start taking pictures of your receipts

3. Submit to TeamFund and earn cash donations for Bike Taupo.

There’s no limit to how much money we can raise with TeamFund – the more support, the more we will raise for our trail network.

Thank you for your support! Check it out here:  http://www.teamfund.co.nz/#!bike-taupo/c23s9

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