‘Advocating Cycling in Taupo’

NEWSLETTER 6

Hello,

here�s the next newsyletter letting you all know what we�ve been up to and what others have been up to lately! If anyone would like to add something to our newsletter that�s cycling related please email us with it .

Contents:

1. Cycling Workshop - 31 March 2005
2. New look Website for Bike Taupo
3. Maps and signage at Wairakei Tourist Park
4. New Off-Road Tracks
5. Control Gates Bridge onramp
6. Road Safety Campaign
7. Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay Track
8. Upcoming Events

1.       CYCLING WORKSHOP - 31 MARCH 2005

If you are interested in the future of cycling in our district then you need to be at this workshop. It�s this Thursday 31 March from 5:30pm to around 7pm in the Great Lake Centre�s East Wing. The Council�s cycle strategy document is up for renewal and it�s a chance to have your say as to what you�d like to see happen around the district (includes Turangi and Mangakino) with regard to cycle facilities and education and awareness. SO WE NEED A BIG TURNOUT OF cycle enthusiasts. Come on everyone BUY IN to your future and our children�s!

2.       NEW LOOK FOR BIKE TAUPO WEBSITE

Have you noticed how great the Bike Taupo website looks now?? Wow Thomas and Mike have been doing some hard work to getting the website looking HOT. Check it out if you�ve not visited in a while. If pictures could be turned into food - we�d feed Africa! It truly looks great. Lots of news, maps, links, a new whats on page, more user friendly and of course more pictures so you can see what we�re talking about! Use your old login to get even more user options. Forgotten the password ? No problem, just click on the link on the login page and we will email to you.

3.       MAPS AND SIGNAGE AT WAIRAKEI FOREST PARK

Wairakei Forest Park has also taken on a new look, new tracks are mentioned below but have you noticed the cool wooden signage which not only have directions of tracks but their grade (by a national system for grading moutain bike tracks) is noted. So if you are only a grade 2 rider you won�t end up on the Buzzard going wholly s#*t!

4.       WAIRAKEI FOREST PARK - NEW OFF ROAD TRACKS

Where do we start!!!!!

•         Redwoods is now alive and kicking with a great opening in February. If you were at it THANKS for turning up. Pictures on the website. This track meanders through the redwood forest between Huka Falls Road and the state Highway. It�s a two way track, accessible opposite Reids Farm on Huka Falls Road, State Highway One 200m South of Helistar turnoff (Kev�s track), or on Huka Falls Road 50m south of the Falls entry/exit. News Flash we have now extended this track and you can now cycle from within Huka Falls Car Park. Come off the bridge over the falls and head left, not far along is a entry to this new track which winds beside the river and up to Huka Falls Road and comes out opposite the northern entry to Redwoods. Who needs tarmac!!

•         Tank Stand Track - Ok why didn�t we think of this sooner? This track is the new track to get over to the Buzzards, Walters Wiggles etc. We used to grind our way up a four wheel drive road for eons (this is only for horses now) so now just head straight across the four wheel drive road and into another canopy of trees. It comes out halfway down that little downhill after the tank.

•         Groundeffect Grinder - takes you to the Buzzards. It�s a gut-buster and feels like it had better be taking you to the top of the world - this is because it is!! Spectacular views of Wairakei forest, Mount Tauhara towards town. Even the Ironman guys will find this a toughie.

•         Young Pines - its been renovated and titivated, its fun with a little up and lots of fast windy up and downs especially ‘the little dipper’ looks dodgy but if you let your bike go you can get up the other side in your middle cog easily! There�s even a ‘cattle stop’ to contemplate for a bit of balance and excitement.

•         Inwards and Outwards Goods - The first one of these two starts opposite Helistar intersection - instead of grinding on the tarmac past the horse treks head left of the beginning of Karapoti Road under the trees and up a single track which links onto Tourist Trap. This is a two way track. The other track heads into the Ferret from State Highway One opposite Kev�s Track entry to Redwoods. Also a two way track. These tracks are for quick and easy access into the Wairakei Park rides - again avoiding the highways.

Happy winter riding - charge up those lights!!

We�d also like to thank Groundeffect for their generous support. Their funds donated have allowed us to purchase a scrub-cutter for maintenance of the off-road tracks.

5.       CONTROL GATES BRIDGE ON-RAMP

This will be sorted hopefully shortly. After much c & c (conversation and correspondence) Transit have agreed to extend and make the onramp on the south side of the control gates more user-friendly for cyclists (especially roadies). Yipppeee so keep watching for the change.

6.       ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Our successful campaign is nearing its end (signage to come down in the next week). We are hoping to run the campaign again towards the end of 2005. We felt that taking all the signage away will be more impacting when we put it up again in October 2005. There�s been a lot of talk positive and negative from locals and visitors. It may even be used in other districts! We would do a flip flop if you could email us with you comments on how you think the campaign went and we�d do multiple flip flops if, when sending your comments, you could put on your motorist head and think like a motorist. Send them to . A report on the campaign will appear shortly on the website. A big thanks must go to Taupo District Council�s cycle strategy team and the Road Safety Co-ordinator for funds to make it happen! We are spoilt.

7.       KINLOCH TO WHAKAIPO BAY TRACK

Its getting closer We expect confirmation as to funding by June. If its favourable then track construction will commence soon thereafter. A subcommittee has been formed and a strategy decided upon. Its all very exciting and very real. WATCH THIS SPACE.

8.       UPCOMING EVENTS

Keen as Mustard? Check out Bike Taupo�s website for more details.