Auckland Cycling Group - (MTB, Road & Urban Rides)

DESCRIPTION

Meeting is at Forestry Road/Deacon Rd and we will be heading on gravel towards the northern boundary of the forest.

We follow Longbush Road all the way to the intersection with Spinley Road where we head along to exit to Blackbridge Road into Dairy Flat towards Waitoki to DD's Country Cafe' for a nice stopover.

The way back will be via Blackbridge Road and Bald Hill Road. The entry into the forest will be at Rahanui Road.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Riverhead boasts a network of gravel roads. There will lots of hills and around 700m of elevation in total. Great downhill rides too. A good opportunity to improve ones fitness.

If it turns out there will be heavy rain the event will be postponed.

WHAT TO BRING

Spare tube, tools, pump, snacks and water.

LEVEL OF FITNESS

This is not a beginners ride! A good level of fitness is required or E-bike.

WHAT KIND OF BIKES

Mountain and gravel bikes or E-bikes with gravel tires because due to logging operations and the recent rain the roads might be rough in places.

Meeting in front of Greenlane McDonalds we will do the well-known airport circuit in a clockwise direction but extending the ride out through Howick. The ride will take us through Newmarket, Tamaki Drive, Glendowie, Point England, Panmure, Howick before heading to Manukau, the Airport and back to Greenlane via Mangere Bridge and Onehunga, stopping towards the end of the ride for a much deserved coffee/chat.

There will be 2 other points on the ride where you can pick up the group:
1. Just inside entrance/carpark of Royal Akarana Yacht Club (Tamaki Drive) at 07:20
2. Chapel Road just after turning right from Te Rakau Drive at 08:40 - 08:45.
These are approximate times and it would pay to be at these points in advance of the indicated time since they are not stops.

This is a non-drop ride however you must be able to maintain an average sustained pace of 26-28 km/hr. We will regroup at intersections/stick together as a bunch so no-one is left behind.

What to expect
All riding will be on normal roads with some riding on main roads although earlier than peak times.

If it turns out to be heavy rain the event will be cancelled.

What to bring
Spare tube, tools, pump/CO2 cylinders, snacks and water.

Level of Fitness
A good level of fitness is required. You should be able to ride for 3 hours at an average sustained speed of 26-28 km/hr. Because we are riding on roads that are in use, a good level of comfort riding in traffic is required.

Strava link
https://www.strava.com/routes/3356429549726716778

This is a social ride. It is suitable for beginners, building up your fitness/confidence or if you just want a social ride.

We will warm up on on an easy trail and then head up into the hills and may split into groups depending on ability and what you want to do. The pace ranges from quite slow to nearly intermediate, the ride atmosphere is relaxed and everyone is welcome.

The ride can be between 1 and 2.5 hours long, with turn around points if you decide you’ve had enough.

Sometimes we go for an after ride drink.

Entry to Woodhill is $15 or less with a pass

Look forward to riding with you.

Linda

It's that time of year again and time to dust off the bike lights, charge up the batteries and get back into Woodhill Wednesday's!

We will meet up in front of the shop ready to ride out by 5:20pm, head out to the trails at 5:30pm and ride for around 2 hours - we will decide before we head off what trails we will be doing depending on current trail conditions.

Woodhill Bike Park have QR codes and Txt In options to make it easy and simple. Please stop at the riders gate to show your confirmation. They also have an Ipad for those without mobile access.

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You will need decent lights that will run for at least 2 hours and this ride is for anyone that can ride a steady pace for that time... all levels of fitness and abilities are welcome!

Lights can be hired from the Park shop for $25/night.

ACG operates a no drop policy which means we regroup at trail heads and trail ends to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.

Entry fee is $15 for a casual ride / $219 for a 6 month pass / $299 for 12 month pass.

If anyone wants to carpool I suggest you mention it in the comments and see who can help out.

We may stop in at the Beer Spot in Huapai after the ride for a beer/wine or soft drink and they also have rotating food trucks for the famished!

If you are going to be late please message me to let us know and you can meet us at Map Station 2 at the start of Second Grade at 6pm. It is rare for the ride to be cancelled for any reason, but if it is necessary to do so I will advise the group by 3pm on the day at the latest... I hope to see you out there!

Kevin 0211393837

PS. if you are looking to buy nightlights for this sort of mountain bike night riding then please check out our ACG Night Light information page (http://nightlights.aucklandcycling.group) to learn about the various options.