Places to ride off-road

**Wellyman** · 20th October 2007, 11:48

Keith You Have PM.
WM

**cave weta** · 20th October 2007, 13:20

I run tours on the Coromandel and and use the Neavesville and Maratoto tracks as well as other private farms and forestry areas. The gold mining and Kauri logging history is awesome here and I know where all the good stuff is.
Hell- you even get to ride underground on my tour!
go here if you want to see photos! http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=31520

If anyone wishes to put a group together of say 4-12 riders I will take you through these areas with full backup, lunches, the works!

or e mail me stuart@overthetopadventures.co.nz

**keith55** · 20th October 2007, 18:44

Originally Posted by rijekaz

Mixing it up a bit would work everyone likes different terrain, personally I don't care for the tight technical stuff but many guys like it. Fast with some jumps thrown in some nice corners hills and stuff all good.

If it's to easy it get's boring quick but you don't want to many accidents either it's a family sport so the kids need to be able to get around it as well.

Initially, I am thinking of only being open weekends. Christmas, New Year may be open continuous, depends on the interest.
My son, Dylan just rode the circuit on his quad. First time ever. And loved it. Smidgin over 10Ks. Had to leave some of the circuit out, still toooooooo wet. Put the tractor on it to start clearing it, and very gingerly got off it again. He will do it again tomorrow on his trail bike. This is more an experienced riders course. Clay based, slippery when wet. There will be novice stuff available......... depends on the interest for it.
Plan on opening first weekend in November.
3rd and 4th November
Cost: $20 bucks a day
Time: 10am to 3pm
Contact: Keith Menefy.... Ph. (09) 4339630
Email kmenefy@farmside.co.nz
Still have to work out a disclaimer form to be signed by all riders yet. Something along the lines of "If you kill yourselves, the bike belongs to me" seems to work alright. There is some tricky stuff out there, but the tractor can do the complete circuit and bikes can go anywhere......right?

**cave weta** · 20th October 2007, 18:59

Kieth- dont be scared to loop the track back close to itself where possible. Do what you can to make it longer, cos a 10 km loop with 50 bikes on it will get each bog and rutty hill hit by about 250 bikes each day. Where as a longer loop will ease congestion and damage, means less work for you and more fun for the riders. Most organised trailrides use a main loop of 25-30km.
Best of luck with it all!

**keith55** · 20th October 2007, 19:07

Oh Sh.t
Knew I had forgotten something.
Where the hell are you?
Hukerenui...25Ks north of Whangarei.....Just north of the pub is a road to the right. Tapuhi road. We are 12Ks up, actually on Nelsons Rd which is just a continuation. Rapid # 71 Nelsons Rd. Just come on in, we (I) will be at the barn. We work it out from there. (long drive.........750 metres 2 fords)
Any questions....... Ask
I know I have forgotten something

**keith55** · 20th October 2007, 19:16

Braefern (not Brefern) is the name of the farm.
I will get it right.
Eventually.

**cave weta** · 20th October 2007, 19:19

List your ride dates and details on Silver bullet . Everybody uses it and I get over half my bookings from it and the events section in the back of Kiwirider.
Serve drinks and have a barbie at lunchtime. make sure that St Johns know about your event and the directions to get there also tell them that you have a prepped designated helicopter pad that is accessable by two wheel drive ambulance. Also good to have a back board and a farm quad ready at sign in tent. DON'T ask me how I know these things!!!!

**keith55** · 30th October 2007, 08:58

Is there a standard set of signs for the trail ride circuit? I have looked on the web and can't find anything. I'm pretty sure I know most of them and what they mean, but I do want to stick to the standard if there is one.

**cave weta** · 30th October 2007, 17:13

Originally Posted by keith55

Is there a standard set of signs for the trail ride circuit? I have looked on the web and can't find anything. I'm pretty sure I know most of them and what they mean, but I do want to stick to the standard if there is one.

Yep keith, you will find that the main trail arrows are usually flouro red with the B grade bypasses in flouro yellow. OR the main trail arrows are flouro yellow with the A grade sections in flouro red. Two arrows pointing down means SLOW! two arrows crossed means WRONG WAY!

have a big board explaining your system at the start gate.

**keith55** · 30th October 2007, 19:57

Originally Posted by cave weta

Yep keith, you will find that the main trail arrows are usually flouro red with the B grade bypasses in flouro yellow. OR the main trail arrows are flouro yellow with the A grade sections in flouro red. Two arrows pointing down means SLOW! two arrows crossed means WRONG WAY!

have a big board explaining your system at the start gate.

two arrows crossed means WRONG WAY!:
Or it means a jump..... that is the one I am really concerned about. I don't have jumps yet, but I do have wrong way. And there is confusion over this one. I have been told a circle with a cross in is better for wrong way. (just today to, after sticking out crossed arrows) Any third opinion?

**keith55** · 30th October 2007, 20:06

But thanks Stuart. (Cave Weta?) you have been a great help. The "prepped designated helicopter pad" seems way over the top but am checking that out with St Johns tomorrow. Can't I just leave em there?

**dammad1** · 30th October 2007, 21:09

Cross means wrong way, usually two arrows pointing up side by side means a jump.

Either way as long as you make it clear to people when they sign on.

**yzf250yamahama** · 20th December 2007, 18:22

Originally Posted by Firefight

Yeah been there heaps Dan, its a small moto X track, and has a bush loop, The guy who owns the Farm set it up for a practice track for himself, then others started to want to use it, Its not like Harrisville, but its ok for what it is, will take you out there in the spring if you like,

F/F

so does this farmer like to be notified if people are going to turn up or you can just turn up at any reasonable hour and start riding, has anyone ridden this track recently?

**keith55** · 2nd January 2008, 09:09

Originally Posted by kiwitoe

If ya do, let me know Tony @ shaw motorcycles whangarei I will let people know... will it be quad friendly

I answered this one before with a tongue in cheek comment of 'And do quads really count as dirt bike??'
It was a lot more accurate than I thought at the time. Have had a few quads on the circuit and while they can do it OK all they really want is speed. Flat, fast and boring. So, the circuit is not really quad friendly. Far too many interesting bits, although I think the dirt bikes go way to fast on it.
For more info on the circuit goto http://braefern.com/

**Biohazard** · 3rd January 2008, 12:24

I want to start tasting mud and dust.

Could someone let me know where I can ride moto-x /Trail bikes in the HAmilton/Pirongia - Waikato either on my own or a group etc....I know in the UK we have greenlanes, is there something similar here in NZ that I can use when I feel the need ?

Cheers muchly

Bio