Posted: Mon 17/Dec/07 3:40pm Post subject: Poulter Valley Trial + Survey
The first ever mountain-bike trial to be run within a national park has just been approved for the Poulter Valley, Arthur's Pass National Park.
Mountain-biking (non-motorised) will be allowed in the valley for a three-year trial from 13 December 2007, run in partnership by the Department of Conservation and Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ).
The New Zealand Conservation Authority has allowed the trial as part of the new Arthur's Pass National Park Management Plan, which was approved yesterday.
"The trial will include a social monitoring programme to which mountain bikers and trampers are being asked to contribute," said Poma Palmer, DOC planner.
"This trip offers great scenery, some challenges and two good huts for an overnight stay - but there is one simple rule - keep to the allowed route!"
Guy Wynn-Williams of Ground Effect said; "this trip is a great opportunity for New Zealanders to experience the back country in a healthy, and self-reliant, and carbon-free way!"
"We've enjoyed working with the department on the development of the plan and the management tools to ensure mountain-bikes are appropriate within the national park setting," he said.
The information gathered from the monitoring will be used to decide whether to make this opportunity a permanent one.
If you ride in the Poulter Valley please take the time to fill out the survey.
Cool. Make sure you heed Guy's comments. No Carbon please. That means no Carbon Seatposts, Stays, full Carbon frames etc. etc.
But on a more serious note....there are river crossings so are DoC making specific recommendations about cleaning of tyres before and after trips to the areas? (to help stop the Diddymo spread...)
Joined: Feb 13, 2003 Posts: 13,465 Location: Shaven Haven
Posted: Tue 18/Dec/07 11:20am Post subject:
This is such fantastic news.
Thanks to everyone who submitted and thanks, finally, for DOC for opening the doors.
This ride is great, but to add to the notes that DOC produced.
The 'challenges' are two big climbs early on and then a scree slope downhill (big chunky rocks), they are all easily accomplished by anyone who is intermediate or above, but if you take out beginners or northern fairies (who aren't used to hills) there may be tears.
If it's warm it will be an oven and if the weather is dodgey, make sure you are prepared, it's big bad open country in there if it turns to poo...
But once you get to the national park boundary, it's just stunning forest and easy pedalling.
Don't get discouraged by the hard start, it's well worth it at the end...
I have one question for DOC, have they put MTB signs up, as there is one crossroad that would ideally be marked, probably 2-4 kms from the hut.
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 175 Location: tinakori
Posted: Tue 18/Dec/07 12:16pm Post subject:
what is the big deal about this? It was another legal ride for mtbers, then DOC extended the APNP over it and excluded mountain bikers from a 4WD road which followed the line of a legal road anyway!
Then they have jacked around for a couple of years sorting out a management plan and consulting. OK, it is a good outcome in the end, but at how much cost and hassle? This whole management consulting exercises seem to be taking up a lot of DOC's time and money. Where is the fun of just going out and exploring? Nice touch on the cleaning the wheels because of didymo.
The whole thing smacks of PC gone crazy
Joined: Aug 15, 2003 Posts: 16,542 Location: Opawa
Posted: Tue 18/Dec/07 12:21pm Post subject:
gordster wrote:
what is the big deal about this? It was another legal ride for mtbers, then DOC extended the APNP over it and excluded mountain bikers from a 4WD road which followed the line of a legal road anyway!
Then they have jacked around for a couple of years sorting out a management plan and consulting. OK, it is a good outcome in the end, but at how much cost and hassle? This whole management consulting exercises seem to be taking up a lot of DOC's time and money. Where is the fun of just going out and exploring? Nice touch on the cleaning the wheels because of didymo.
The whole thing smacks of PC gone crazy
Your not allowed to ride on paper roads in national parks unless they are formed.
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 175 Location: tinakori
Posted: Tue 18/Dec/07 1:11pm Post subject:
a legal road is a legal road-I don't buy that formed road deal. With that agruement farmers could prevent people legally using a unformed road over their land.
the heaphy is a good example. The track pretty m uch follows a paper road, but DOC in all its wisdom have decided bikes aren't allowed.
Joined: Aug 15, 2003 Posts: 16,542 Location: Opawa
Posted: Tue 18/Dec/07 1:48pm Post subject:
gordster wrote:
a legal road is a legal road-I don't buy that formed road deal. With that agruement farmers could prevent people legally using a unformed road over their land.
the heaphy is a good example. The track pretty m uch follows a paper road, but DOC in all its wisdom have decided bikes aren't allowed.
no that is not correct.......Farmers can do nothing to stop you using a paper road.....formed or not.
Vehicles are not allowed in national parks other than on formed roads, and a bike is considered a vehicle. Without this rule our national parks would look like Worsleys. With the new management plan for the parks, Mountain Bikes are to be considered separate from other vehicles for access on a case by case basis.
Yes its a long winded expensive process, but I'd rather it be that way than allow any man and his 4wd stomping all over our national parks.
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