Newsletter Number 4

Sunday, May 02, 2004

Dear Bike Taupo Supporter,

Boy, it�s been a long time since we updated you on the goings-on of Bike Taupo - so much has been happening!

Rotary Ride to Arataitia

After a successful opening of the Rotary Ride at the end of last year, the dust has barely settled before we�re on to another project to keep those wheels rolling and cranks turning.

The feedback from the cycling community and community as a whole on the creation of such an awesome trail has lent impetus to our next projects, some of which have already been completed.

For those of you who have already biked to Huka Falls on the Rotary Ride, you can now bypass the crowds at the bridge and carry on through to link up with the trail to Aratiatia Dam - a beautiful meandering track amidst native bush and open pasture. Some swift digger work by Russ of Tarrant contracting has led to some friendlier inclines that mean this track is accessible to all levels of cyclist. If you are cruising this trail, just remember it is a shared DOC path so watch out for walkers!

Anyone who has had almost enough by the time they reach Huka Falls, or are in need of a serious caffeine boost to carry on, you can now ride to the front door of Huka Falls Caf� without putting a foot down (or it�s your shout!!). The friendly team up here will be glad to slake your thirst or hunger and you can thank them for supplying the signage for this part of the trail.

A BIG THANK YOU, once again to all the volunteers, who helped this morning and on many other occasions to make it all possible!

Wairakei Park

The team at Bike Taupo is still in negotiations with Wairakei Crown Forests over a concession to allow biker access to their precious forest. We are so close to obtaining it, just needing some i�s dotted and t�s crossed, however, without it anyone who cycles in the Craters of the Moon forest area will be deemed to be trespassing.
So keep your fingers crossed that this comes through shortly and once it does, look after the trails because they essentially belong to you, the cyclist. A concession will also allow Bike Taupo to complete a trail through those lovely redwoods that separate State Highway 1 from Huka Falls Road, allowing bikers to ride almost all of the way back to town without having to retrace their tire-tracks or use a road!

Road Safety

Speaking of roads, we can�t ignore the roadies amongst us! Those of you who get out on your road-bikes will be pleased to know that Transit NZ, who is in charge of all of the State Highways and non-council roads, has approached Bike Taupo to ask for suggestions and recommendations to improve roading for cyclists, particularly on Broadlands Road. We have also suggested widening Poihipi Road as this is also a commonly used training route with way too many close calls! If you�re ever stuck for where to go on a ride, check out the favourite ride section on the website and feel free to voice any opinions on the forum.

Bike Taupo has also put in a submission to Council as part of the Long Term District Plan to include all aspects of cycling, walking and alternative transport in any and all future roading plans as part of our mission to encourage a healthy and safe lifestyle for all members of the community.

Accacia Bay to Kinloch

On the topic of the future, you should check out Bike Taupo�s plans for building a trail from Acacia Bay to Kinloch! This totally achievable project looks set to begin with Stage 1 - Wakaipo Bay to Kinloch - early in 2005. It will produce a trail of more than 20 kilometres amongst native bush, beneath soaring cliffs and atop towering bluffs providing outstanding vistas rarely glimpsed before. This trail is going to be sublime and will rival any other trail in New Zealand!

For an image of the first stage (Whakaipo to Kinloch) go to: http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/modules.ph p?name=projects.

We�ll keep you posted on the progress of this and all other projects, meanwhile for those amongst you who like a bit of hard yakka rewarded by the satisfaction of riding something you�ve created, register your interest for our working bees on the website. For those who prefer to assist in a more cerebral way, please don�t hesitate to make contact with the Committee (Contact details here).

How can you help?

One of the easiest ways to get involved with BikeTaupo is to help us increase our membership. As a community organisation for all Bikers we need as many people behind us in our efforts to lobby local and national authorities.
So forward this email to any of your friends, who you think should become a member of  BikeTaupo. It is easy, just log onto our website: http://www.biketaupo.org.nz

Talking about the website and help, there are a couple of new sections available, for those who like to help out occasionally with a shovel or spade: http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/modules.p hp?name=Task_List . Here you can see a list of  pending track maintenance jobs. You can assign yourself to the task and email the track crews, if you are happy to help, or especially if you have already completed the whole job, whilst going for a ride.
A regular monthly working bee on the Craters of the Moon track is happening already. Meet on the first Saturday every month at 1pm at the Carpark (opposite Horse Hire).

Another feature to stay in touch with what is happening are our Mailing Lists. In that section you can ADD or REMOVE yourself from various email mailing lists. Don�t worry, we won�t send you unsolicited junk mail, but if you would like to be kept in the loop with activities and working bees on those topics, this one is for you.

For some of those features you have to be logged in to the website. Click here if you have lost your password or can�t remember it.

Pedal On

Bike Taupo