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For Wed 24 May 2017
Hi Everyone,
Our biggest group for the year tonight with nine riders. Ian,Tania, Lisa,Raymond,Dion, Clive, Rob,PJ and Dave all agreed to check out the new track from the Rakahuri old forest area toward the SH1 overbridge. We started from Pushbikes and along West belt riding the Poplar track to the Mike Keane track and then through all the Eastern tracks of the old forest area where we had 3 offs by the one person who shall remain nameless- a chocolate fish was the prize offered if they made it to 10 offs- the slippery twists and turns taking their toll.We eventually found the start to the new track ECAN have put through just off Dallas's track. Its still in its infancy as far as settling in goes but what a great track it will be. We rode the approx 4km of bumps and hollows and twists and turns till we got to a 4wd track and the current end of this new adventure track. from there it was quick flick through the single tracks to Waikuku. We returned via the stopbanks back to Pushbikes with no more offs and only one possible bent deraileur .
Cheers
Rob
Wed 26 April,2017
Hi Everyone,
Finally another good night out for a night MTB ride, quite frankly the wed night ride opportunities have been a bit slim lately due to the overactive weather systems we have had.
Anyway 4 of us took off, lights ablaze from Pushbikes but were met by Nick in his ute -bike on back he thought he'd miss out- but we said we'd wait while he got ready to ride and the 5 of us took off over the Ashley bridge and crossed over to Ashley village via that little joining track which is so much fun starting just over the bridge. Then it was up Boundary road to the start of Mount Grey road. We rode the Rally sprint track using the new sidle tracks to rejoin Mt Grey road which we crossed to go down through the forest single tracks (my favourite) to the clearing above Thompson Rd. We then rode along a rather muddy joining track to the old skidder area from where we rode up Stus track (ah! those hairpins) to the top and then back down on Sams track for a bit of a blast. From there it was back along the muddy join track again and then down through the rest of the forest track to Thompson road and out to Barron Ave. We ended the night by retracing our tracks thru to the Ashley bridge and back to Pushbikes.
Cheers
Rob
Wed 25 Feb 2017
Hi Everyone
The wednesday evening ride on 25 Feb saw 4 keen riders head off from Rangiora heading for the forest which I had been advised from Rayonier was open but may close again for the weekend. Starting at Pushbikes we rode down West Belt and onto the Poplar track (my name for an otherwise nameless but fun track) and under the Ashley bridge. We then headed across the bridge and took the old 4WD track off the left end of the bridge. This took us through the rough 4wd tracks on the banks of the Ahsley and ended by going through Leigh Camp. We then crossed over to Wallers Rd and joined up to Mowats Rd which took us up to the 2 pine tress at the top from where we carried on up Purple Heights Rd to join up with Mt Grey Rd. Just across the junction of Purple Heights and Mt Grey is the link track which ends at the clearing where Sam's and Stu's track join up A big thanks to those who have cleared that track of all the encroaching foliage -great job. We rode this down to the clearing and decided given the time left we would head down to the top of the Rally sprint area but take the forest track on the left- one of my favourites- to the gate near the forestry village. We had just climbed over the gate when this 4wd vehicle came screeching up to the gate on the forestry side with two young fellas in it. They first asked if we had a key for the gate or a contact number for someone who did. They had managed to get into the forest from the Anberly area we figured and had been driving around for some some after finding that they could not get back the way they had come since the gate had been locked after their entry sometime. It was getting onto dusk and we all thought their chances of getting their vehicle out was pretty slim however we thought they could walk up to the village and ask if anyone had a key. Well wouldnt you know it a lady and her lad were just at the top as you come up from the forestry gate walking their dogs and she knew the landowner of the area. She agreed to call her and the owner who lived just down Forestry road agreed to come up and open the gate as she had a key. Two very lucky lads passed us as we were heading down the hill a short time later, and as coincidentaly a police car was coming up the other way- we wondered if there was any connection but there the story ends.
We turned on our lights and carried on towards home- a good night out.
Rob
Regular Weekly MTB Rides
Wednesday Evening Rides (Commencing 26th October 2016) departing from Pushbikes Rangiora at 6.30pm
These rides can take in a blast around the stop-banks and trails of the Ashley River and CAN be shorter in length (1-1.5 hours) at this stage so not too long on an evening. Longer rides can be negotiated between parties on the night. If sufficient numbers in attendance rides can be taylored to suit abilities and/or ride length.
Sunday Morning Rides (Commencing 23rd October) departing from the Barren Ave carpark (bottom of Mt Grey Road) in the Ashley Forest Village at 8am
Sunday rides will be conducted in the local forests so if you’re looking to familiarise with the forests or get away from the kids/partner this is a great opportunity to get into the forests and ride with experienced riders followed by a well earnt coffee and cake at a local café. These rides will be approximately 2-2.5 hours but flexible dependent on who shows up.
As the season progresses we will vary the departure points to explore different areas of the forest and plan some rides further afield. Due to my own sometime non-club weekend commitments at times I am also looking for a team of experienced forest warriors to assist with supporting/leading these Sunday rides at times. If this sounds like you can assist please flick me an email and I will be in touch to discuss.
I look forward to seeing some familiar faces along with some new faces out and about.
NCCC Club Kits
Our club kit will be available for purchase again early November from Monday 7th until Sunday 13th so lock this date in if you’re wanting to purchase club kit. A link to our supplier Ultimo’s online ordering portal will be sent out the week prior. For those of you that are interested but are unsure about sizing Ultimo has a pretty good sizing chart available via their website or alternatively you can contact Mike Messervy at [email protected] or 027 286 8854 and I’m sure we can find some kit among current members for you to try on as this is the best way to ensure you get the correct sizing as there are no returns on the kit if you get it wrong. We have also added cycling caps to the list of kit available for those of you that wear them. If you’re new to the club or have just been living under a rock for the past few months check out the club kit mock-up from Ultimo in the road section news.
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