[MTB] Sunday Riverhead ride - Barlow Rd Entrance

Come and join us for a MTB ride at Riverhead on Sunday at Barlow Rd entrance.

Riverhead rides are on unmaintained rough singletrack NOT on the gravel roads.

NOTE: the meet location is at the Barlow Rd entrance NOT the WCRC carpark - ensure you follow the directions below.
Also there are no change or toilet facilities at this location.

In the unlikely event that none of the hosts can make it then a ride may be cancelled up to a few days before.

SKILL LEVEL
This is not for beginners it is a blend of Intermediate and Advanced riding and I envisage we will start with intermediate and likely split up into 2 smaller groups later in the morning to allow those who want to continue to focus on an intermediate level to do so while a few in the group seek out a couple more challenging trails to end the day. You can choose which level you wish to do but you should be comfortable riding grade 3 & 4 trails as minimum.

TRAILS
Mix of grade 3 & 4 through out the day but as mentioned above you can elect to do only 3's and the odd easy 4 if you aren't in the advanced camp.
I usually pick routes that can offer both and we can regroup at the bottom of runs

FITNESS
We won’t be treating these as uphill races, the ride is more focused on the ride downhill so your uphill climbing speed is not critical though you must be fit enough to climb at least 3-4 significant inclines and be out for 3-4hrs.

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

We will be out there for a few hours but it will be at a comfortable pace and will regroup for each other at junctions and top of hills.

Both Analog and Ebike are welcome - I can choose routes that can cater for keeping both entertained but ebikers need to be happy to wait and be just social at times.

***

MEETING POINT
Barlow Rd entrance 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

Be ready to ride by 8am. I recommend you be there at least by 7.45 to get yourself and bike ready to tide at 8am. Arriving early means you won't be left behind - you can socialise with the other riders while we wait for the 8:00am start.

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 - especially the evening before.

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.

Rick 021374467