Mountain Biker's Special

As if the kilometres of trail, all-weather track and stunning scenery weren't enough reasons to throw your bikes on the car and head for Kaiteriteri, we've just come up with another one!

The Shoreline Cafe is now offering a Mountain Biker's Special of just $5.00 for a coffee'n'cake! So if it's a shot of caffeine you need before tackling the trails or the need to replace a few calories afterwards, this is the place to go.
You can choose to sit inside or out, depending on how socially-acceptable you feel after your ride, but make sure you ask for the Special as it won't be advertised. And yes, you can swap out the coffee for a different hot drink if you're beginning to feel twitchy or the kids want their hot chocolates...

Some more great news is that this week we welcomed Karl Thompson and his digger onto the team. Karl's been busy helping to build mtb tracks up on Canaan Downs throughout a pretty chilly winter so is happy to be down to sea-level again - and doing what he loves doing most!
We're currently creating an elevating track parallel to the last steep section of Velocity that exits by Bethany. This will come as some relief to those of you who have granny-ringed your way up in order to do the lower Velocity loop.


Here, Karl is shaping up one of the several switchbacks that help us get up onto a spur. While the track, being digger-benched, is just over a metre wide, the gradients employed put it into our Intermediate category. So if you want to ride up it, you'll still need a bit of fitness.
But you can always reward yourself at The Shoreline
afterwards...

And in one final bit of news, we've recently had some bumper stickers printed. So if you'd like to show your support or just help spread the word, send a request to info@kaiteriterimtbpark.org.nz and we'll pop a couple in the post for you.
Alternatively, when you're next at the Park, drop into the Beach Camp Office and ask for one.

Kaiteriteri Groupies

Kaiteriteri is holding good to its promise to provide all-year round riding. Even after heavy rain the trails have remained firm with only one or two spots on the whole network so far needing remedial work.

'Course, it's always better to ride when dry & sunny and fortunately this is the default winter setting around here. The weekends have seen an increasing number of local riders attracted to Kaiteriteri and last Saturday the Park was humming..

Our Nelson-based mapmeister, Steve Newport, has been operating a little, informal, email-out for the benefit of his biking buddies for a while now, each w/e suggesting a different destination - unless, of course, someone has a better suggestion of their own. Initially it circulated among a chosen few but now, as more & more people asked to be included, it's grown to the point where Steve has felt the need to tack on a disclaimer to the effect that he is not, in fact, running a Club!


So when Steve suggested a trip out to Kaiteriteri, it was no surprise to see a group of 12 Nelson riders waiting by the mapboard at the designated time. While a few were already pretty familiar with the network, for most it was an introduction to new trail - something that's almost guaranteed to get people buzzing.

Coming down Rock'n'Roll was a blast, where Dave Bonnett managed to hold his smile while reaching warp speed. Dave moved to Nelson from Boulder, Colorado, and reckons he's arrived in mtb heaven where the regional support for the sport, esp. at municipal level, far exceeds that back in his home state.

The loop that took in Tank, Tapu, lower Bay View, the recently-completed section of Easy Rider and finished on Half-Pipe was a perfect way to conclude a great afternoon's riding. Although the four girls in the party who concluded their day with a bottle of sav. blanc at the nearby Shoreline Cafe would call that statement premature...

They certainly weren't the only girls in the Park that day. Andrea Livingston & seven other local women were out practising their bike-handling skills in advance of the 2010 Spring Challenge (www.springchallenge.co.nz). This is a very popular all-women adventure race being held this year in the Motueka area in September, when 600 entrants plus support crews will descend on the town. A little while back Andrea had the idea of asking Emma Bawtree, a skilled mtb guide, if she would be interested in holding some coaching workshops for local women wanting to take part in the event. With Emma agreeing, the uptake was instant and she now has several beginner & intermediate workshops on the go. If you're local and would like to be included, contact her here: emma@nztraveldesigners.com.

Enjoying a lap of the Park after our Sunday morning working bee, a couple of us came across another group of 6-7 women, this time from Nelson (and possibly also in training for the Spring Challenge). As always, the appreciation of the effort that goes into developing the Park was unanimous and we welcomed their offer of bringing some cake along for the workers at one of our future w/bees!