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sassydot
Joined: Sep 18, 2007
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 3:40pm Post subject: Beginner At Craters |
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Which tracks would you say are suitable for a beginner building confidence?
Which should I stay well away from for now?
I've got meself a map, but it doesn't give any indication of grades.
Cheers. 
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fraserb
Fixed and Free ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fast and Easy
Joined: Jun 05, 2003
Posts: 8,468
Location: tauranga. nz
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 3:48pm Post subject: |
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pretty much all of the tracks round the main car park would be ok.
my kids were about 4 years old when they first rode the "inner" tracks
as with Most MTB parks generally the further away from the carpark the harder the tracks get
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sassydot
Joined: Sep 18, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 3:56pm Post subject: |
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| fraserb wrote: |
my kids were about 4 years old when they first rode the "inner" tracks
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 I get passed by kids that age at Vegas 
Is that the cafe car park? My map shows 4
Sorry to be a pain
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fraserb
Fixed and Free ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fast and Easy
Joined: Jun 05, 2003
Posts: 8,468
Location: tauranga. nz
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 4:06pm Post subject: |
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I was more meaning the car park opposite the horse treking place, but the ride from the Helicopter Cafe carpark to the track via the piece under the road is a good one too 
then continue the loop that starts off along side the Main Rd
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CroMo
Worn
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 679
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 4:12pm Post subject: |
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Tourist trap is a good one to take kids on. You are always close to the main carpark (not by the Cafe) and it is an easy track. Tank Stand up to Coaster(before the top of Tank Stand) is good (rolling track) or go all the way to the end of Tank Stand and come back through Walters Wiggles but the top end of Tanks Stand may be a bit technical for kids.
If you get more adventurous you can go out to Bumble Bee/Fast Eddy.
Avoid 3-stage, switchback, coles killer, buzzard, son of buzzard, Outback (long), Young Pines.
Cork Screw is steep uphill with technical down (but not too steep) but it is close to the main carpark so you could maybe look up there (and come back if you didn't like it). I used to ride (push) up Cork Screw with my four year old on the top tube seat - he loved it but my bike is very solid and I have good downhill skills.
Have fun 
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sassydot
Joined: Sep 18, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 4:22pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, that helps a ton.
The beginner is myself, btw.
But with the skill of a 4 year old, so probably appropriate advice!
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CroMo
Worn
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 679
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Fri 28/Sep/07 4:35pm Post subject: |
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| sassydot wrote: | Thanks, that helps a ton.
The beginner is myself, btw.
But with the skill of a 4 year old, so probably appropriate advice! |
Sorry I mis read the thread. In that case, just avoid the tracks I indicated - you will have some fun because most of the tracks are nicely groomed and roll well. Start with Tourist Trap and Ferret - then look further out as your confidence builds. Also the Rotary Ride from Spa Park (in town) is a nice ride out to Huka falls - a few hills but a good ride to do when your skills and fitness gets better.
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petern
Dusty
Joined: Feb 22, 2003
Posts: 102
Location: Cambridge
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| Posted: Thu 4/Oct/07 8:34pm Post subject: |
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Tourist Trap, Squirt and Coaster are all awesome grade 2 (beginner) tracks. I normally like Grade 3 or 4 (on a good day) but those tracks are soooo good I could ride them all day!!!!
Buzzy Bee & Ferret are a good next step up.
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beyond
Ridden
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 128
Location: north shore
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| Posted: Wed 17/Oct/07 11:27am Post subject: |
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what are some good intermediate trails, say grade 3-4, fast and flowy that are near the carparks..or not to far off?
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petern
Dusty
Joined: Feb 22, 2003
Posts: 102
Location: Cambridge
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| Posted: Wed 17/Oct/07 7:03pm Post subject: |
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There aren't really any Grade 4 trails close to the carpark.
In the Grade 3's Ferret and Bumble Bee are good (and flowy). However, Coaster is still definately worth a look even though it is a Grade 2 as it is super-flowy and scales well with speed
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beyond
Ridden
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 128
Location: north shore
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| Posted: Wed 17/Oct/07 11:06pm Post subject: |
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cheers bro..heading dwn this weeknd
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fraserb
Fixed and Free ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fast and Easy
Joined: Jun 05, 2003
Posts: 8,468
Location: tauranga. nz
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| Posted: Thu 18/Oct/07 8:08am Post subject: |
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its been ages since I was at craters but head up from the carpark toward buzzard, and the run back down again is pretty good, like petern says the tracks arnt graded very high, but flow well and get better with speed
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beyond
Ridden
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 128
Location: north shore
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| Posted: Mon 22/Oct/07 5:04pm Post subject: |
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well had 2 great days at craters..heaps better than what i expected..my new favourite place to go! The trail Coaster is sickkk!!! plus Drone, dipper, bumbleboy, downhill bits of corkscrew,fast eddie and tank stand..all great fun. next time will have to do Outback.
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