A Day in the Park 2012

So Waitangi Day rolled around and, for me, it was a chance to have some family mtb time.

Seems I wasn't the only one...



Matt Redwood from Nelson was taking his young family for a spin. I just missed his other children but young Logan was sticking close to dad.


He wasn't too sure about the dude with the camera - I think he thought I was eyeing up his cool bike...






Alice Winter from Stoke was having her first visit to the Park.
Her introduction to riding switchbacks wasn't dampening her enthusiasm.


Meanwhile, husband Ken set off to enjoy Glade Runner after quenching his thirst from the Kimi Ora-supplied water tap at the top of Swamp Monster.


The Mosimann family from Pokororo were enjoying a shady catch-up.
Rudi and Maya were taking daughters Jasmin and Rowena for their first outing along the Park's 'easy' circuit.

Easy is a relative term in the world of mountain biking - and especially at Kaiteriteri where the terrain often dictates where the track has to go.
But our management committee fully appreciates how daunting newcomers (young & old) to the sport can find the Sidewinder switchbacks and the steepish climb of Swamp Monster.
"You call this easy?!", is a refrain we're not unfamiliar with...

In response, we've surveyed a new 'bypass' route for these two tracks. It will definitely offer an Easy gradient with some nice undulating flow to keep the riding interesting.
Like Easy Rider, this will be a good track for beginners to practise their skills and improve their fitness on. When they're ready for a bigger challenge, Sidewinder will still be there...

We hope to commence construction of this track in the autumn.


Corkscrew continues to delight all who venture on to it - with the debate raging over whether it's more fun to ride up or down!

Deborah Morris from Motueka enjoys the challenges of the switchbacks and the workout of the uphill...




While others find their mojo on the way back down...



I caught Greg O'Donnell, Sally Jehans and Krissy Ridder, all from Motueka, honing their skills on this series of twisters...


I'm afraid the formatting of the blogger.com. website lets me down at this point. While it all looks right in draft, once posted not all comments align with the photos.

I hope you can work it out...







Having made it to the skid site at the top of Corkscrew, mother & daughter contemplate the swim that awaits at the bottom...






Already heading in that direction was Rachel Butcher, over for the day from Richmond.







Sam Wilson and Bekah Phyn, both from Nelson, were exploring the Park for their first time, enjoying the cruisey flow of Easy Rider.








It was time to join my wife & daughter on the beach - but not before capturing the Radford family from Christchurch.

Annette led them back to the entrance...







closely followed by 4 1/2 yr old Jamie, fully recovered from a tumble on Sidewinder.




Bringing up the rear was Craig with 18mth old Lucy nestled on her top tube bike seat.

From the way dad was consulting her, I suspect she was the navigator ;-)




I know that there were plenty of others in the Park over the weekend but I was particularly chuffed to see so many family groups and newcomers in the couple of hours I was there on the afternoon of Waitangi Day. Despite some challenging biking for some, all seemed to be really enjoying themselves on a beautiful day.

Thanks to all the above for allowing me to briefly interrupt their ride...



Where every ride at Kaiteriteri should terminate...