Well, it's been a long time between drinks for the website blog!
A few reasons for this: our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/KaiteriteriMTBPark) is doing a great job of getting trail news out as it's happening, a wet winter frustrated our building programme and... I absconded to Europe for another long cycle tour :-)
Still, things never stand still and, in my absence, the rest of the committee pulled off a very successful Family Adventure Race as part of the Nelson CycleFest (pics on fb), completed a new exit to Remedy, that now aligns with Shady Lady, and undertook various maintenance tasks around the Park to keep the tracks open and humming.
Alongside this, once things dried out a bit, Karl got back on our digger to groom up this year's big project, the 1.8km Cruise Control!
With the amount of traffic it had already had, plus the speed with which the clay turned from mud to rock once it finally stopped raining, Karl wasn't quite able to bring up as smooth a surface as we generally aim for.
But that will happen soon enough... a couple of days of rain and that ride line will be sweet.
This new track offers an alternative - and easier - way to get to the Kimi Ora hub. It bypasses Sidewinder & Swamp Monster, both of which will be upgraded to Intermediate. If you're a beginner or have little ones in tow, this is the way to go.
We also welcome Golden Bay Fruit on board as Cruise Control's sponsor and their logo will soon be affixed to the marker posts. Track sponsorship is a significant source of income for us in developing the Park. It helps us buy and maintain our track-building tools and machinery, purchase materials & fuel, print maps and covers a host of other expenses. If your business might be interested in sponsoring a track at the Park for 2 years, send us an email at info@kaiteriterimtbpark.org.nz
The other way people show their support is via donations. The metal donation box at the entrance is always well-used, especially over Summer when many visitors like to show their appreciation for the efforts of local volunteers.
But not everyone goes pedalling with their wallet so we've added a QR graphic for those with smart phones who are also smart enough to have downloaded a (free) QR reader app.
Simply scan the image and it will take you straight to our PayPal account. Tap in the amount of your donation and 'presto' - your karma balance is immediately topped up!
There are others who use the PayPal link on the sidebar to convey their monetary thanks. Significant donations are individually acknowledged under the Supporters tab on our Homepage.
Finally, for now, an example of what our Park might be able to offer some time in the future out of these donated funds.
I came across this on an Austrian cycleway. As well as all the tools you'd need for basic maintenance, a workstand and foot pump, it also had an inner tube dispensing machine for 12 different tyre sizes!
Plus!!! It was located next to a bar where you could ask the fraulein to bring you a stein while you worked (or didn't :-) .
Coming up: what generated our biggest working bee turnout all year...?