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

These Riverhead rides are on unmaintained rough singletrack NOT on the gravel roads and will alternate on Wednesdays between the STRIP RD carpark, the FORESTRY RD carpark and the ROBINSON RD carpark so please take note of the location and also note that this is not the WCRC Compound so please don't wait at that location.

These rides are not for beginners but for intermediate and above riders who have some mountain bike experience and want to step up from riding at Woodhill. No drop policy and will wait at junctions to re group.

Arrive by 5:15pm hit the trails at 5.30pm ride for approx 2 hours - no set tracks decided on, we will make a selection on the night.
NOTE There are no change or toilet facilities at any of the locations.

LOCATION: Riverhead Forest - Robinson Rd carpark, near Coatesville.

DIRECTIONS: Turn left off Coatesville Riverhead Highway just before Coatesville (if coming from Riverhead) on to Sunnyside Rd, then after 1.5km turn left on to Robinson Rd and drive another 1.5km to the end of the road to the carpark - the gate is directly ahead.

Here's a Google maps link to the location: https://goo.gl/maps/3zHRziaCoiK4bTMz7

IMPORTANT: If there has been sustain rain in the 2-3 days leading up to a riding date then I may decide to cancel a specific ride due to the trail composition being clay based. When water logged the trails become to greasy to ride - ensure you check the comments section in the days leading up to the event to see if the ride is going ahead.

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

Hope to see you out there - let me know by txt to the below number if you are going to be late.

Kevin 0211393837

IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ON AN AUCKLAND CYCLING GROUP WEEKEND RIDE BEFORE THEN COME AND JOIN US ON THIS ONE AS IT WILL BE A GOOD ONE!

The Plan

This weekend ride (staying overnight in Rotorua on Sat) is aimed at people who have not yet ridden the mountain bike trail network in the Whakawerawera Forest (Redwoods) in Rotorua and would like an easy paced ride to find out more about the riding opportunities there and why this is one of the best places to ride a mountain bike not only in New Zealand but possibly the world!

Please note that I will prioritize people who have not been on this ride previously, so if you get moved to the wait list this will be the reason why and if you are a regular ACG group ride member then please add yourself as a host

Where And When

On Saturday morning we will meet at the Waipa carpark out the front of the infomation centre/bike hire/cafe just to the left of the changing rooms and toilets at 10:00am for a quick group introduction and ride briefing, please be ready to ride as we will head off straight after the briefing. If you wish to have a coffee and a snack before we head out on the ride please do so before the 10:00am briefing

The Rides

As is the nature of mountain biking there will be a bit of climbing involved as well as descending but nothing that a moderately fit beginner rider will be able to comfortably deal with

Saturdays ride will be approximately a 30km loop ride from the Waipa carpark on the Forest Loop (grades 2 and 3) out to the Tawa Hub where we will stop for half an hour for lunch. There are two cafe's there to purchase coffee and food if you don't want to bring your own. We will then continue on the rest of the loop finishing up back at the Waipa carpark before 3pm

After returning to the carpark if anyone is still keen to do some more riding we can do some of the trails near the carpark otherwise feel free to soak you feet and have a cold drink at the Secret Spot on the right side of the carpark or head directly to your accomodation

Sundays ride will be less structured and an opportunity to explore the many trails in the forest. We will meet at the same place but at 9:00am this time. I will be leading a ride that will be slightly more challenging from the previous day and will be doing a number of Grade 3 trails and a couple of shuttle runs which will be around 3 hours in duration.

If you would like to spend the day doing a non riding activity please let me know either Sat night or on Sun morning before we head out to the Waipa carpark

What To Bring

This ride is for mountain bikes, e-mountain bikes or gravel bikes only and
please ensure you bike is in good riding condition and all functions of it are working correctly. Also please ensure that YOU are also of moderate fitness and able to ride around 30km and 3-4 hours of riding a mountain bike over moderate terrain

Besides your usual riding gear bring a tube, pump and tools to make basic repairs if required and enough water for about 3-4 hours of riding plus snacks during the ride as well as a packed lunch. There are many cafes/bakery's in Rotorua if you want to grab something before the ride commences

If you wish to do either the public shuttles on Sunday or book a private shuttle for you and your friends the costs are listed below in Other Costs

Accommodation

We usually stay at the Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park which is a one minute drive from the Waipa carpark and five minute drive to the city centre. They have various accommodation options and FREE hot pools to soak your aches away... https://rotoruathermal.co.nz/

We also go out for dinner Sat night in Rotorua but if you prefer to organise your own meals there are full kitchen facilities available and a nice Cafe on site for breakfast on Sun morning if you so wish

Other Costs

Public shuttles are from $10 per uplift or you can purchase a shareable 5 lift pass for $40 or 10 lift pass for $70

Private 4WD Charters allow riders to access most of the trails available in the forest via either the Squad Waka (4 riders max) or Battle Waka (7 riders max) and is one of the best experiences you can have mountain biking in Rotorua.
For bookings or enquiries email shuttles@mtbrotorua.co.nz
Battle Waka (up to 4 riders) - $110 per hour (minimum 3 hours)
Squad Waka (up to 7 riders) - $140 per hour (minimum 3 hours)

Any questions? Please ask away!

I'll see you there!

Kevin 0211393837

Meeting at Greenlane Countdown, we will do a 100km west/north circuit in a clock-wise direction taking us through Taupaki, Waimauku, Riverhead, Coatesville, the North Shore and catching a ferry back city-side. We will stop en-route for a much deserved coffee/chat and possibly a beer/burger at the end of the ride.

Last ride before Christmas so please wear something festive

This is a non-drop ride – we will re-group 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 at 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 4 - 4 1/2 hours and we will be looking at an average sustained speed of around 24-27km/hour. 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/3118095403684926520

These Riverhead rides are on unmaintained rough singletrack NOT on the gravel roads and will alternate on Wednesdays between various entrances to the forest so please take note of the location and also note that this is not the WCRC Compound so please don't wait at that location.

NOTE: There are no change or toilet facilities at any of these locations.

These rides are not for beginners but for intermediate and above riders who have some mountain bike experience and want to step up from riding at Woodhill. No drop policy and will wait at junctions to re group.

Arrive by 5:15pm hit the trails at 5.30pm ride for approx 2 hours - no set tracks decided on, we will make a selection on the night.

LOCATION: Riverhead Forest - Barlow Road carpark on Ararimu Valley Rd

DIRECTIONS: When coming from Auckland City via the North Western Motorway - Turn right on to Old North Road from State Highway 16 at the big roundabout, then right into Ararimu Valley Road, travel for 5km where you will arrive at the Barlow Road car park (as seen in the photo). If you reach the second one lane bridge you have gone to far.

Here's a Google map link to the location - https://goo.gl/maps/YKrhHDGVJGT2

IMPORTANT: If there has been sustain rain in the 2-3 days leading up to a riding date then I may decide to cancel a specific ride due to the trail composition being clay based. When water logged the trails become to greasy to ride - ensure you check the comments section in the days leading up to the event to see if the ride is going ahead.

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

Hope to see you out there - let me know by txt to the below number if you are going to be late.

Kevin 0211393837