I agree about the number or lack of volenteers up here compared to dwn sth (they do have less to do dwn there tho [dig dig] ) There is definatly less of a MTB culture up here compared w Chch anyway - even tho the potential here is huge, just less interest and motivated manpower to build tracks etc. We just end up building our own around th local council and farm bush anyway since there dosnt seem to be much hype and excitment around any new Mtb parks in areas they would suit - Albany would be ideal, cant wait to chk that out and see what the plans are there. But since moving up here frm Chch 2yrs ago noticed there should be a track linking Albany to Silverdale (similar to th chch CraterRim linking th Vic Pk Tracks to Godly Head) - even tho you may need to do the odd rd section to link up between private or unusable property - the national cycle track should come into that - roughly following the mtway - jst an idea or pipeline dream...I only see mtb tracks when look at beautifull hilly forrested terrain.

If only I was Mayor Penny ther'd be off rd tracks everywhere - we could mtb to work frm anywhere we wanted!

We'd be hosting the World Cups every yr!

OK will stop dreaming know...Mayb there needs to b a link 'Akld MTB Park Dreams'...

To get more trails you have to get involved with clubs and go out and build them. The 'they' mandy refers to does not exist. "We" exist and to get more trails we have to stop expecting other people to do it.

Whitford has a great network of demanding trails. A club has now been established to apply for funds and develop the tracks further. If we want them to improve, I suggest we go along and help out.

MTB riding is not permitted in the Waitaks due to an ecolgocical assessment identifying that the existing network of trails (for walking) are of poor quality and are established on easily erodible soils. There is too great a risk of trail failure if traffic intensity is increased significantly. At the recent Auckland MTB Club submission on the ARC Draft Regional Parks Mgt Plan it was identified that properly built MTB trails are the way forward. This needs money and requires effort to ensure that funds are written into long-term plans. When it comes to building and planning, they will turn to clubs and not individuals. MTB riders (although opposed by a vocal few) are not hated or regarded as destroyers of the environment. We are however identified as being a group that requires catering for with specialist facilities.

Getting Local Council input into trail building also requires submissions to the LTCCP so that funds can be written into the budget (although how this will change under the Super City is unclear). There has always been process in place and one that seems to have been rarely followed.

Sitting at our PCs and whinging on forums is going to make ZERO progress. Both the ARC and the Territorial Authorities will only liaise with recognised groups and generally not individuals. You want to make a difference? Then join one of the many Auckland based MTB clubs and start to follow the process for putting items in budgets at a high level and then join the working bees and pick up some tools. It is the only way.

The Auckland MTB Club needs someone who is passionate about builidng more trails to respond to the growing interest from ARC for our input into concept plans, trail design and identifying Parks that can accomodate more variety of trails. If you really want to make a difference then get in touch with the Auckland MTB Club and go along to their next committee night to see where you can help. http://aucklandmtb.co.nz/contacts/.

We have reached a point with trails in Auckland where we either step up, put the effort in and commit to make a difference, or quite frankly we all just shut up and put up with what we've got. I'd prefer to make the commitment. Anyone else?

Cheers
Marke
Auckland MTB Club Pres.

Ra ra ra !
Marke for president!
Marke for Auckland Mayor!



Ackl MTb Club has been doing some great things on the quiet ... Count me in for your future efforts!

Understand Mark I think most would - I (and partner) have helped alot dwn sth with track building and we are still doing wat we can in our area also , (Jst found awesome track system in our local bush but needs heaps of work and extending and linking). Im refering to a difference in attitude up here that isnt productive and proud of Akld in general let alone our MTB tracks - and I cant stand it! The general aklder mtbiker seems to be mr interested in supporting out of town riding than wat we have in our back yard. So I believe it all starts with the attitude as well as thinking other people will always do it.

Whitford is definatly the best on that side of the bridge - but wasnt sure if access was straight forward and open as a 'MTB park' as such.

Albany nthwards I still think has the most potential plus access frm Mtway and rest of AKLD is easier.

The more Aklders with ideas and energy collectively the better I reakon - thats where progress starts.

The following areas have been identified by local councils as future locations for mountain biking:
 Rodney District: Green Road, Dairy Flat (154 hectares)
 North Shore City:
o Sanders Reserve2 (41 hectares at Paremoremo; beginners (7.9 hectares) and intermediate (11.8 hectares) trails – family oriented)
o Hoskings Reserve3 (55 hectares; extreme mountain biking)
o several bush reserves such as Kaipatiki (off road cycling)
 Auckland City: Arch Hill Scenic Reserve ( 5 hectares between Mt Eden and Grey Lynn, partnership with Auckland Mountain Bike Club)
 Manukau City: Lloyd Elsmore Park (adventure bike trail)4
 Waitakere City: Te Rangi Hiroa5 (50.3 hectares between Massey West and Ranui)

from : Auckland Regional Council "Regional Parks cycling opportunities review 2009"

If you care, do your best with your local Councillors and Parks & Policy staff to keep the pressure on !

Ha ha, cheers Ryan, appreciate your support.

Trancemaster you forgot one thing - the best way to get traction is to keep the pressure up via an established, credible group, such as a club. That way you are repreenting 100's of riders, not just yourself. That, if for no other reason, is why every MTB rider in Auckland should belong to a club.

Hunua tracks are great now still in the drought. There is huge potential in there if the trails could link up via the metal roads .

good to see some action here
http://aucklandmtb.co.nz/trails/

trancemaster wrote: There is huge potential in there if the trails could link up via the metal roads .

They do link up via the metal roads?? They all equate to one big interconnected loop if you ride them right. There needs to be better signposting - even after riding there 2-4 times a week it took us 6 months to discover all the connecting trails. Definitely going to help out with the working bees Auckland Mtb Club are doing!

free topo map here
http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo ... index.aspx

Cheers - have it sorted now though.

http://aucklandmtb.co.nz is having a club ride at Waharau in Hunuas, near Kaiaua/ Orere point, April 10.

Tuff ride up Waharau, 3 hours worth, perfect track conditions. Beautiful country views over Firth of THames.

trancemaster wrote:Hunua tracks are great now still in the drought. There is huge potential in there if the trails could link up via the metal roads .

hope you got big arms and tough hands. i can lend you a spade if you want to cut more track through.