Trails, etc, Wellington region? [Archive]

Crasherfromwayback

29th July 2007, 14:21

Hey

Just wondering if there's any good public trails to ride in the wellington region?
did a bit of a search but turned up no real results.
cheers

cam

Yeah mate. You can ride Long Gully Station (Steve Watsons place).
Off the end of the car park at the wind turbine...follow the gravel road and signs to his place. Sign the book, pay the man the ten bucks (at least that's what it was when I was last there), and cut loose!

You can also ride all of the fire breaks above Lower Hutt (even though it's deemed illegal). Just be responsible around the mountain bikers and hikers.

merv

29th July 2007, 15:01

Plus you can go in the GWRC area with a permit between Akatarawa and Maungakotukutuku (Karapoti area)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=35730

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53177

and other threads you can search for.

C_A

29th July 2007, 17:35

cheers guys

young1

29th July 2007, 21:33

Red rocks down the Coast is also somewhere different to go, as long as you can ride sand.

C_A

29th July 2007, 23:34

sand's a cinche. done most of my riding on it ;)
choice.

merv

30th July 2007, 08:53

There's a bit of sand round there but its mainly very big stoney gravel - an interesting ride for sure.

upshift

30th July 2007, 09:01

Red rocks down the Coast is also somewhere different to go.

Always lots of 4WD's and walkers in the weekends so care needed.
Also, closed to cars and bikes on Sunday's.

mazz1972

30th July 2007, 13:29

Red Rocks is a "road" so you should have bike licence, wof and reg....if not then at your risk...

mazz1972

30th July 2007, 13:41

Re riding in the Akatarawa Forest, there is good riding in there.

You are supposed to have a permit but we've never ever had one and never had a problem (probably a jinx in place now!) and never seen the ranger ever.

Bear in mind there are also trampers/hunters/mountain bikers/other dirt bikers/sometimes 4WD vehicles, going all directions up there so you need to be very wary of oncoming traffic.

There is a bit of info here and a map you can download

http://www.gw.govt.nz/section397.cfm

Best you stick to the main tracks you are allowed to use (marked on the map) unless going with someone who knows the area well. As far as I understand, there are some areas that are designated for hunting and I don't think you can tell where they are on the map.

There are offshoots etc that are more gnarly than the main tracks. There are locked gates on Toi Toi Road (look like bow ties) - you can't get near to Battle Hill, and no bikes allowed over there anyway.

It's probably your best bet for the biggest riding area....there is a lot of clay so good tyres are recommended!

Best entrance if coming from PN is Maungatukutuku Valley Road at the back of Paraparaumu.

mazz1972

30th July 2007, 13:42

Yeah mate. You can ride Long Gully Station (Steve Watsons place).
Off the end of the car park at the wind turbine...follow the gravel road and signs to his place. Sign the book, pay the man the ten bucks (at least that's what it was when I was last there), and cut loose!

Didn't know about that one - what's the terrain like? How far can you go? Would it be suitable for a bikes with dual purpose tyres?

FlangMasterJ

30th July 2007, 14:39

Didn't know about that one - what's the terrain like? How far can you go? Would it be suitable for a bikes with dual purpose tyres?

You should be fine.

If you're game you could cut a few laps on the motocross track or do some tarding on the slipway.

I think it's $20 for motorcycles.

merv

30th July 2007, 16:18

In the good old days Long Gully was an abandoned farm and we rode all over it for free and then you could go up and over Hawkins Hill and drop down to Ohiro Bay Quarry and back again or go the other way to South Karori but alas houses were built on that side so us bikers got squeezed out. I've only been in since on organised rides not casually.

Crasherfromwayback

30th July 2007, 18:57

quallman1234

30th July 2007, 19:07

You should be fine.

If you're game you could cut a few laps on the motocross track or do some tarding on the slipway.

I think it's $20 for motorcycles.
Wheres the motocross track at?

I did motards in the weekend on my dual purpose tyres ... Ok they are a bit worn down (7000km) but nevertheless!

Shadows

31st July 2007, 00:12

Red Rocks is a "road" so you should have bike licence, wof and reg....if not then at your risk...

I'd like to see The Filth try and catch you.

merv

31st July 2007, 08:00

It would only require patience, you gotta come out eventually.

Funniest story about Red Rocks was that young guy a few years ago "borrowed" his old man's flash 4x4, got it stuck in the gravel then it got swallowed by the surf. He had trouble hiding that when it made the newspapers.

FlangMasterJ

31st July 2007, 08:31

Wheres the motocross track at?

Just follow the dirt road towards there house and to the right of that up on the hill you have the MX track.

Shadows

31st July 2007, 08:58

mazz1972

31st July 2007, 10:16

I'd like to see The Filth try and catch you.

This is true....but you gotta enter/exit somewhere and unless riding there you are going to have a ute or vehicle & trailer parked somewhere! I understand the police do the occasional crack down out there.

limbimtimwim

31st July 2007, 12:23

I've been looking at maps. I see there is a road called South Makara road that goes (Funnily enough) off the main Makara road and to Cable Bay. Has anyone done South Makara road before? Looks like there are a couple of fords to keep things interesting :yes::yes:. Would South Makara Road to Cable Bay and around to red rocks be do-able on my street tyred DR-Z?

Gravel for me is no problem, but mud could be tricky.

I'm just trying to ease myself into this offroad thing. I see Mitas make some 17" dirtish tyres. I might take up your offer of being shown how to change tyres CFWB..

merv

31st July 2007, 12:33

The land is all private except on the coast. Cable bay I presume is what I know as Oteranga Bay where the earth station is for the DC power cable. Many moons ago I rode right around from Ohiro Bay to there and back and it was a fun but challenging ride then because of thick gravel (not easy sand) and in places you had to race through the surf because it was narrow. The trick is just leave Ohiro Bay and keep riding until you feel you can't go any more, then turn around and go back, just don't misjudge tides eh and end up like the 4x4 boy.

Check out my Capital Coast pics here - we went to Oteranga Bay then over land http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27185 The Oteranga Bay pics are at post #9 on that thread.

4skins reckons he'll have another one of these adventures early next year so make sure you are there.

young1

31st July 2007, 13:01

mazz1972

3rd August 2007, 11:13

I understand that the road to Cable Bay goes through Terawhiti Station. Brendan Keogh (at Motorad now I think) used to organise regular trail rides in there when I lived in Welli in 2002. There are gates across the road so not sure if it is private property or not.

From Red Rocks you can get around to Terawhiti Station.

YES Terawhiti Station MOST DEFINATELY is private property. You need permission from the farm manager to go in there. It's possible access is closed because of the upcoming activity with Meridian building wind turbines on the station.

Brendan Keogh is in Africa at the mo.

Aside from that I don't think you can get all the way round without crossing other private land as well? Usually only organised rides, such as the Capital Coast adventure ride, can get right the way through.

Shadows

3rd August 2007, 17:06

The land is all private except on the coast. Cable bay I presume is what I know as Oteranga Bay where the earth station is for the DC power cable.

Cable Bay is a bay or two East of Oteranga Bay.

F5 Dave

6th August 2007, 15:18

With the windfarm proposed in there access will be a problem (Terawhiti). Ahh you said that,

Brooklyn (Watsons farm) has an MX track & an enduro loop. It is ok but if it is windy don't go. MX track has some scary jumps but can ride around them. Some of the other trails around there can get reaaal steep. Avoid when wet. Saturdays & sunday afternoons only.

Keep an eye out on Silverbullet website for organised rides, a bit thin this time of year. Santoft this weekend. Can be pretty hard if much rain.

krash

7th August 2007, 15:01

i Went out to Terawhiti Station yesterday and rode down to cable bay to kill a bit of boredom... i just rocked on up to the farmers house and was like "werd" and he did a merry jig and then i was on my way... it was a bit wet but fun none the less..

im still new to the region so im yet to find a decent mx track thats friendly

F5 Dave

7th August 2007, 15:51

Dear Penthouse, I never thought these things happened to guys like me.

... i just rocked on up to the farmers house and was like "werd" and he did a merry jig and then i was on my way...

the farmer had two beautiful daughters:love:

... it was a bit wet but fun none the less..

:mellow:

SK1TZ

15th August 2009, 12:22

Just bumping this up...

I rang and spoke to the Landowner today, looking to head up to Brooklyn this arvo, its $20 a bike and he has a MX track and also over 50km of trails.

sounds good, should be fun!

sam

kezzafish

16th August 2009, 11:34

yeah interesting thread, missed this one (twas a while ago huh). Let us know what ya think of the MX track Skitz.

There isn't much to the so called 50km of enduro track but there is one cool switchback goat track that's steeeep and follows the bottom of a gully and comes back up a cool hillclimb to the MX trck... Find it?

You indicate that you ride a train... what bike do ya ride? have you had a look up Karapoti?

FlangMasterJ

16th August 2009, 13:56

There isn't much to the so called 50km of enduro track but there is one cool switchback goat track that's steeeep and follows the bottom of a gully and comes back up a cool hillclimb to the MX trck... Find it?

I went down that thing a few years back. Tried going down there a few months ago and got about twenty meters down then went "fuck this" and went back up. The slips had gotten alot larger.

Ride it till the red

16th August 2009, 20:42

Did ya end up going up there SKITZ? What did ya think? What were you riding/ driving?

We were also up there yesterday all arvo. Blue Hiace low on 18s with 3 bike trailer behind. My CR250 a YZF250 and a Black KTM 250EXC. Met Charmed01 up there too by coincidence.

3rd time up there yesterday and loving it, 1st mx track I've ridden so nothing to compare it to but found it great to learn on. The jumps allthough scary looking were all acheived on the 1st outting without trouble. Bit rough but well set up. Haven't played around looking at enduro tracks too much yet but will have to make a point of looking for this track you speak of Kezz.

Devils Staircase, Rockgarden mission this arvo, heading in at 3pm in the rain with a bald rear tire was a little game but it all worked out and we were driving home before dark. Good weekend all round!

kezzafish

16th August 2009, 21:28

Be warned, hardly worth the trip just for that track rittr, takes about 15 mins but def have a hoon if you're up there for MXin

crfchick

17th August 2009, 10:31

kezzafish

17th August 2009, 11:10

I still havent checked Brooklyn out, whats it like? I've heard all sorts of things like people are riding in all different directions etc, and that its pretty dangerous, so I've been a bit put off! And more importantly what are the enduro tracks like? Are they marked out or is it just a free-for-all?

there's no marked direction but it should be obvious what direction to go on the MX track. There's not really much in the way of enduro track... there's a fair bit of gravel road and basically the goat track loop i talked about in the previous post and another hill climb. There's a downhill MTB track there which i'm told we're not allowed on but it looks like fun. There may be more than that but that's all i've found up there so far. Ya just gotta go down the roads and have a look round i guess.

I quite like it up there 'cos it's super close to town and the MX track is fun no matter what level your at as there' alternate routes around all the double jumps (which are more like table tops with the table top missing lol)

Worth a hoon CRFchick, have a look

Ride it till the red

17th August 2009, 13:28

Be warned, hardly worth the trip just for that track rittr, takes about 15 mins but def have a hoon if you're up there for MXin

Sweet as, yeah we'll likely be back up there next weekend for some more laps so will go for a look. You spent much time on the MX track? Should come up for a play, its always better with more people to race

crfchick

17th August 2009, 14:24

there's no marked direction but it should be obvious what direction to go on the MX track. There's not really much in the way of enduro track... there's a fair bit of gravel road and basically the goat track loop i talked about in the previous post and another hill climb. There's a downhill MTB track there which i'm told we're not allowed on but it looks like fun. There may be more than that but that's all i've found up there so far. Ya just gotta go down the roads and have a look round i guess.

I quite like it up there 'cos it's super close to town and the MX track is fun no matter what level your at as there' alternate routes around all the double jumps (which are more like table tops with the table top missing lol)

Worth a hoon CRFchick, have a look
Thanks Kezz! That's good to know it suits all levels and that there's alternate routes around some of the jumps (eek!). I should definately check it out!

kezzafish

17th August 2009, 14:26

Sweet as, yeah we'll likely be back up there next weekend for some more laps so will go for a look. You spent much time on the MX track? Should come up for a play, its always better with more people to race

probably not. i'm a broke ass. You hitting that second double from the carpark? gives me the shits... I rooted my ankle coming up short

Ride it till the red

17th August 2009, 14:34

probably not. i'm a broke ass. You hitting that second double from the carpark? gives me the shits... I rooted my ankle coming up short

The one with the nasty looking square edge that it always looks like your gonna clip but never do? (or it seems maybe you do haha)

Yeah mate hitting everything piece of piss now ay, ya do have to hold a bit of speed into some of them tho huh? Underjumping hurts!

Considering now whether I sell both the RM and the CR and buy a 250f (fastest thing round the track) or continue the plan of just selling the RM. Any takers?

secondfield

17th August 2009, 18:08

Yeah get rid of that crap and buy a 450.

Ride it till the red

17th August 2009, 21:29

Yeah get rid of that crap and buy a 450.

You quit your yapping from accross the ditch! Although the power appeals they are just so heavy feeling! But we'll see... maybe one day....

Kezz I see the bikes for sale..... what ya planning to get? Want the RM do ya? :niceone:

kezzafish

17th August 2009, 21:53

250 exc thanks. Too much of a pussy to take dave and daz on on the roads in karapoti now. I approach every corner picturing a sideways quad coming at me and... whalllop... So i'm gonna work on getting an even bigger gap on the cunts in the tight stuff lol.

Gonna try to do the enduro series and shit like that

Ride it till the red

17th August 2009, 22:15

Understandable I guess, not ok... but understandable! Good to hear your leaving those bloody four strokes in the past though, I needed some 2 stroke back up now Darryls gone to the dark side.

Definately keen on the Enduro's next season, have to do them all and get a bit of competition going. I'm hoping to try and do the B class MX series too for something a bit different, should be good fun!

Hope you've got a bike lined up ready.... any more time off the bike and your gonna become a permanent camera man instead of a rider!

secondfield

18th August 2009, 18:32

Have a go at the Wgtn trailriders x-country series too guy's.. enduro terrain with a x-country format....

How much you want for your shitbox kez?

kezzafish

18th August 2009, 18:51

Have a go at the Wgtn trailriders x-country series too guy's.. enduro terrain with a x-country format....

How much you want for your shitbox kez?

$4.35 and a lollipop or 6G whichever is greater... That's about 2g cheaper than any other one on there. But mines the least tidy on there...

SK1TZ

19th August 2009, 20:27

Wow, bumping up the thread bought a few good replies...

We got lost as fu*k, ended up not even leaving upper hutt until about 3.30pm, went strait past the turnoff to slipway, got roight out to this crazy Golfball structure, and eventually found the Watsons place, saw a dude with a blue ute and an old CR on the back leaving, then we went the wrong way again, and ended up out near the sea, where the Big Anchor is, headed back and found the track about 4pm, my mate got his gear on, and I got his bike sorted, and off he went for a blat, I was pleasantly greeted there By sharon (charmed) who I havent seen since back in the NZ performace car days, at 2Hot2Handle etc so that was a good catch up.

My mate was a big Woofter on the track, wouldnt get any more than half throttle on the big Bowl/Table top right next to the car park, but he gradually got more confident and after a while couldnt keep off it, he just went round and did it again, albeit it at half throttle in 3rd on a 2006 YZ250 (was painfull I tell ya)

so yea, we ganna head up again for sure...anybody got a dirty old XR or KDX or TT they wana sell for cheap?? I can tell now, even with an old grunter, I could outride him on that track, lol

Oh yea, we were driving the old Ford Courier ute with YAMALUBE sticker on the bonnet

sammy