Trailblazer 8 June?

[soundbeltfarm]

Anyone else plan on doing this or have done it before.
Whats it like.
Me and a few from here in Nakiville are heading over and we plan on staying at the goldensprings holiday park on sat and sun.
has anyone stayed here before?
Whats it like?
cheers

[dammad1]

These rides are really good, i'm going to try and get down to this one.

[Gravel911]

Yep I was keen to go on the Sat.....trying to get my mates organised.
Went down to a couple of them last year. Really good ride, could be a bit cold if it's wet!!

[mc4aregreat]

I've travelled over a number of times from NP, takes around 4hrs. It is great winter riding (nearly all forest with none of the steep stuff ) and the broken bike recovery is 1st rate for the unfortunant. I suggest refueling up at Whakamaru on the way over to avoid the crowd at the only other servo on the way at Taupo.

I checked out the Golden Springs while over that way and they reckon you need too book if you want an unit, cause it gets busy and many people book as soon as the dates are out. Motels unit are at the top end, with basic cabins(take blankets etc) at the cheaper end, and of cause camping sites. Bike security looks ok because the camp is concealed from the main rd by hedges( i drove straight pass it and had to backtrack).
Ya just gotta go (wet or fine) and i recomend some of the other rides they have over that way during the winter.

[tnarg]

Yeah me and my crew will be heading down but doing the one this weekend. Didn't do any trailblazers last year( broken bones) but the year before was awesome. OH yeah bring warm gear, will be cold. Will let ya know how it was.

[Danger]

Got a group of mates going down for the two day one this weekend, I decided to give it a miss. Not sure where the ride is on the June ride, but on the two day ride last year which was very cold and foggy the Saturday ride was awesome fun (when you didn't have to slow for the fog) but the Sunday ride was a bit to open and fast for my likeing. But at least the two days catered for most peoples tastes on one day or the other.

[ruphus]

Me and a mate are heading up this weekend. Just riding the Saturday though. We're leaving at about 5am in the morning so it'll be an early start for us.

From the look of the weather, it might be a wet one.

[marks]

Was thinking of doing the one this weekend with my son till I added up the approximate costs.

$40 per day x 2 x 2 = $160
fire ext. $30
2 nights cabins $140
petrol for car (Welly) $150
gas/oil etc for bikes $50

Thats $530 before we buy Macdonald's etc so say up to $600 including food.

I'm sure it will be an awesome weekend but its simply more than I can justify spending....

Such is life

[Danger]

Your pretty much on the mark there Marks. My costs would likely be:

Petrol to event and back from Auckland: $150.00
Accomodation: Fri, Sat, Sun: $120.00 pretty good value
40L fuel a day for bike: $80.00
Dinner each night: $140.00
Booze with mates: $80.00
Food other than dinners: $100.00
Ride entry $80.00

Then other bike running costs, oils etc.

Could possible cut down a little on some of those but not to likely.

$700.00 plus.

Might be a Sandpit ride for me instead.

[cheese]

Meh come show me how to ride at the sandpit instead greg! LOL

[Gravel911]

Got the bike loaded....ready to hit the road at the sparrows fart.

Just going down for the day

Weather is improving......possible light rain in the morning fine in the afternoon and Sunday.

[tnarg]

Just got back. Another awesome epicevent ride. Lots of tight and twisty stuff and loads of mud but being pumice based there was loads of traction, even with my superslick tyre. My highlight would be the old school section of ungroomed trails...awesome :2thumbsup

[Gravel911]

Yes I would agree.
Having the extra 15k loop was good. Have to say the riding is awesome around those tracks. We just rode on the Sat, weather was great and track conditions got better in the afternoon.

[soundbeltfarm]

anyone going this weekend?
i'm pretty much all set , just checked weather report and it looks like it'l be friggin cold.
snow down to 700m on sunday.
better take some warm clothes.
what do you guys wear for warmth?
i've never had to wear a jacket or something like that.
cant wait though.
me and three others are booked into the golden springs holiday park on sat and sunday night,

Karl

[Danger]

I always wear a pair of polypropylene gloves under my riding gloves at all times of the year as it helps prevent blisters. For cold events like this I just wear a polypropylene top under my riding shirt. With your chest protector and hand guards deflecting the wind for the most part this is enough for me. Bit cold to start but you soon warm up. Might have to ride slow right at the beginning if the track is fast (a road section or the like) to stop the wind chill. Once your in the trees the heat starts to build. All the guys that wear jackets just seem to cook once your up to speed so I don't bother. Unless its raining, thats a different story. Then a goretex coat but I can count on half a hand the times I've used that in the last five years. It has to be really heavy rain for me to wear a coat. If your a plodder you might be better with a coat tho.
I also always carry a polypropylene top in my back pack, along with a survival blanket (from camping stores, a reflective sheet that folds up to a package smaller than a piece of toast). Its never happened but it pays to be prepared if you have a break down or an accident and need to keep warm.

[Gravel911]

Would be keen but with the price of fuel need to be a bit picky about which rides to go to. Was planning on going down to the Kuratau ride in a couple of weeks. Never done that one so keen to check it out.

Thanks for the tips Danger..............have been thinking about getting an enduro type jacket but have been worried about getting to hot and sweating which is about the last thing you need when it's cold.
Never needed to ride with anymore than a tee shirt and riding shirt over the top. Only a problem when you stop or just when you start riding. Might look into getting a polypropylene top to wear......better than a tee shirt.

[dammad1]

Looks like i'm heading down, should be good.

[tnarg]

Done the last one and once ya started riding you heated up pretty quick but polyprop probably not a bad idea. Have fun its an awesome ride.

[soundbeltfarm]

thanks for advice,
i'm already to go now,
like a little kid this morning been awake since 4 ,
shit i love the boys weekends away.

[theblacksmith]

Hi guys - just got back from Trailblazer - very good I thought. Few nice jumps as well.Who else went and what did you's think? Cold as in the dark sections.Hardest part for me was keeping my nose from running!

[noobi]

i went today, came down from pukekohe!!!
it was awesome, heaps of traction and the tracks were perfect, no bogs or anything like that.
but it was pretty cold lik 3 degrees in the shade
and did i mention the views wow