FEBRUARY 2012 Newsletter No 67
BIKEWISE
Sport Waikato comes to Whitianga on Thursday 23 February. It will be at the Whitianga Bike Park from 10 am until 1 pm.
There is information at the schools or contact Lisa Jury mob 027 494 5600 or email lisaj@sportwaikato.org.nz
COMING EVENT
Colville Connection is again being organized by totalsport.co.nz on 10 March 2012. There are seven options; some are walk/run, some are pure mountain bike over 3 differing distances and there is a marathon. This is around the northern tip of the peninsula and is a popular event. Further details are at www.colvilleconnection.co.nz
BIKE PARK NEWS
During the holiday period the trails and BMX track saw lots of use which wore some surfaces out but this was also because of the wet conditions in the period. They are now fixed. It appears that as fewer boats put to sea in the poor conditions, members of the family entertained themselves in the park.
The BMX track is in great order and it is pleasing to see some of the younger riders getting confidence with regular riding.
The Pump Track is also well used and we hope to add some more hills in the future when we can get some dirt to put there. The drains are now functioning well so ground is generally dry, and the drains are also a popular ride through.
The mountain bike trails are now dry and riding well. Hi-Octane still needs some TLC so as to get the berms sorted out. TOP HAT has had some reshaping and a by-pass added. The steep descent with logs as steps did not ride well. The logs have been removed and the descent shaped into an “S” with berms. The by-pass is a traverse with a bridge. Both meet at the stream below.
A visitor recently said how very well presented the park grass and plantings were. We have commented in the past on the establishing an Arboretum and to that has been added an herb garden for the benefit of the local community. The grass is cut by Noel Hewlett and a team from Corrections Department and their endeavours have been really helped by the purchase of a large self driving wide cut mower with funding from our friends at Ground Effect. What a team effort. Ray Hewlett keeps the drains clear and the plants watered and this effort is also helped with a team from Whitianga Lions; Erwin Penwarden their President, John Pedersen and Robbie Yeomans who also lent a water pump so we can use water from the stream. Yes the development is looking very tidy and is in constant use by riders and walkers.
Facilities have just been improved with the installation of a drinking water fountain. Young riders never seem to remember to bring a water bottle, nor do walkers for that matter so the fountain will be an important improvement. We thank Edward Gibbon for their support in this facility.
OFF ROAD BIKE RIDING ON PENINSULA
The Peninsula could become a bike riders Mecca if current progress continues. In addition to our park providing 3 or more hours riding and the other trails we have written about in the Mercury Bay Trail Guide [$4 from Bike Man or Whitianga I-Site] with some days riding, new locations are being developed.
At Whangamata the Multisport Club are constantly working on trail development in “matariki” Forest. There are 20 trails there and details and map are available from Whangamata Pedal & Paddle in Port Rd. Ph 07 865 8096
We have mentioned before Thames Mountain Bike Club are working towards re-opening old walking trails in their location
Also during the summer, cyclists from Auckland traveled on the Discovery Ferry to Coromandel and rode from there before returning on Sunday night.
FINANCE
Recently we ran an advertisement seeking donations from the people of Whitianga so we can continue to maintain this valuable community asset. We were very grateful to receive some donations towards our cause. Parents of some of the young riders may wish to help too. When we started parents were a great help both financially and with man-power. Those young have now left town and the newer users ignore the fact that effort and cash are needed to keep it going.
If you want to help send your donation to the club care 83 Robinson Rd Whitianga.
Have fun.
Whitianga Bike Park Trail Director
Bruce Chambers
Phone: 09 5245086
Fax: 09 5245076
Mobile: 027 4944529
Email: brucechambers@clear.net.nz
BIKEWISE
Sport Waikato comes to Whitianga on Thursday 23 February. It will be at the Whitianga Bike Park from 10 am until 1 pm.
There is information at the schools or contact Lisa Jury mob 027 494 5600 or email lisaj@sportwaikato.org.nz
COMING EVENT
Colville Connection is again being organized by totalsport.co.nz on 10 March 2012. There are seven options; some are walk/run, some are pure mountain bike over 3 differing distances and there is a marathon. This is around the northern tip of the peninsula and is a popular event. Further details are at www.colvilleconnection.co.nz
BIKE PARK NEWS
During the holiday period the trails and BMX track saw lots of use which wore some surfaces out but this was also because of the wet conditions in the period. They are now fixed. It appears that as fewer boats put to sea in the poor conditions, members of the family entertained themselves in the park.
The BMX track is in great order and it is pleasing to see some of the younger riders getting confidence with regular riding.
The Pump Track is also well used and we hope to add some more hills in the future when we can get some dirt to put there. The drains are now functioning well so ground is generally dry, and the drains are also a popular ride through.
The mountain bike trails are now dry and riding well. Hi-Octane still needs some TLC so as to get the berms sorted out. TOP HAT has had some reshaping and a by-pass added. The steep descent with logs as steps did not ride well. The logs have been removed and the descent shaped into an “S” with berms. The by-pass is a traverse with a bridge. Both meet at the stream below.
A visitor recently said how very well presented the park grass and plantings were. We have commented in the past on the establishing an Arboretum and to that has been added an herb garden for the benefit of the local community. The grass is cut by Noel Hewlett and a team from Corrections Department and their endeavours have been really helped by the purchase of a large self driving wide cut mower with funding from our friends at Ground Effect. What a team effort. Ray Hewlett keeps the drains clear and the plants watered and this effort is also helped with a team from Whitianga Lions; Erwin Penwarden their President, John Pedersen and Robbie Yeomans who also lent a water pump so we can use water from the stream. Yes the development is looking very tidy and is in constant use by riders and walkers.
Facilities have just been improved with the installation of a drinking water fountain. Young riders never seem to remember to bring a water bottle, nor do walkers for that matter so the fountain will be an important improvement. We thank Edward Gibbon for their support in this facility.
OFF ROAD BIKE RIDING ON PENINSULA
The Peninsula could become a bike riders Mecca if current progress continues. In addition to our park providing 3 or more hours riding and the other trails we have written about in the Mercury Bay Trail Guide [$4 from Bike Man or Whitianga I-Site] with some days riding, new locations are being developed.
At Whangamata the Multisport Club are constantly working on trail development in “matariki” Forest. There are 20 trails there and details and map are available from Whangamata Pedal & Paddle in Port Rd. Ph 07 865 8096
We have mentioned before Thames Mountain Bike Club are working towards re-opening old walking trails in their location
Also during the summer, cyclists from Auckland traveled on the Discovery Ferry to Coromandel and rode from there before returning on Sunday night.
FINANCE
Recently we ran an advertisement seeking donations from the people of Whitianga so we can continue to maintain this valuable community asset. We were very grateful to receive some donations towards our cause. Parents of some of the young riders may wish to help too. When we started parents were a great help both financially and with man-power. Those young have now left town and the newer users ignore the fact that effort and cash are needed to keep it going.
If you want to help send your donation to the club care 83 Robinson Rd Whitianga.
Have fun.
Whitianga Bike Park Trail Director
Bruce Chambers
Phone: 09 5245086
Fax: 09 5245076
Mobile: 027 4944529
Email: brucechambers@clear.net.nz
