South Canterbury Mountain Bike Club

Leaving Timaru about 8am, 13 keen Mountainbikers headed  to North Opuha on what promised to be a stunning day.

Starting off with a short climb to get warmed up, the spectacular North Opuha basin loomed into view  after a few kilometers, showing why it is now a conservation area.  

On arrival at the historic musterers’ hut we had a poke around, a bite to eat then back onto our trusty steeds for the ride back out.

A great ride on a great day  - many thanks to Kelvin and Paul for organizing it.

Well worth a look if you’re up that way.  Total distance to the hut and back is about 19km.

Here’s a ride profile:

KELVIN, PAUL and SIMON are continuing the Chocolate Fish Race/Ride series (fitting in around other races and events) using various short-loop tracks in the Scenic Reserve which take around 3–6 minutes riding per lap.  The Race/Rides last for 30 minutes.  The Race/Rides are a great way to keep up some fitness, and practice those off-road riding skills.  They are all about participation – you go as hard or as steady as you like.  See the Chocolate Fish Race/Ride page for upcoming Race/Rides.

The X Scenic MTB Race will be held on Sunday Feb 8th in Centennial Park, Timaru. 

This year there are two races:

The Sport race is 20km (1½ laps) beginning at 10am.

The Elite race is 40km (3 laps) starting at 1pm. 

On-line entries click here or pick up entry forms at local bike shops.

The Elite race will also run as the second round of the new South Island MTB Cup and the 5th round of the NZ MTB Cup.  If you want to enter and get points towards the cups then click here for more details and on-line entry forms.

This is a fantastic course that has been designed by SC MTB Club members Kelvin, Alan, Simon and Wally plus others.  Many thanks to them for their continuing input.

It is a demanding course that is a good test for all levels of rider, but is more suited to intermediate/senior experienced MTBers.

On Thursday 22nd January at 6.30pm Chris Thomas, the race organiser will be leading a bunch ride around the new course (one lap is 13.5km).  Meet at the lake car park.

Chris is looking for support from club members to help with the mark out, set up, marshalling and pack out over the weekend of 6th (Waitangi Day), 7th and 8th February. 

Please spread the word as this is a great opportunity to have the best cross country riders in NZ right here in our backyard and we want to put on a great show for them.

If you can help make this a successful event and showcase for Timaru, please contact Chris Thomas directly:

chris@specialevents.co.nz

Chris Thomas

Special Events Aoraki Ltd

Professional Event Managers

Phone 03 688 5531 Fax 03 688 5647 Cell 027 297 9643

http://www.specialevents.co.nz/

SOUTH CANTERBURY MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB INC.
5:45 PM
TUESDAY
9TH
SEPTEMBER
2008Venue: 57A Theodosia Street, Timaru
(Offices of Mitchell McCleary Chartered Accountants)

Agenda:

1. Receive the Committee’s report on the activities of the Club over the last year and the proposed priorities and directions for the Club in the current year.
2. Receive the statement of financial position and statement of financial performance for the past financial year.
3. Elect the members of the Committee of the Club. All current Committee Members are required by the Rules to stand down, but are eligible for re-election. Nominations are now open, must be in writing and will be received by the Secretary prior to and at the AGM. The Club’s Rules provide for a Committee of no less than six members and no more than ten members. Nominees must be financial members as at the date of the AGM.
4. Resolve whether a review of the Club’s accounts is required.
5 General business:
(a) Any other business which members may wish to raise at the meeting; and
(b) The Committee wishes to give members at the AGM an opportunity to comment on the activities of the Club to date, and welcomes your input on possible future activities. This is your Club - come along and tell us what you want!

Please note that you have received this notice because you are on the mailing list for the Club. This does not mean that you are a financial member. Only financial members will be eligible to attend, participate in and vote at the Annual General Meeting.

HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP?
Please be aware that you need to be a financial member of the Club to vote at the AGM on 9 September 2008 and to continue to receive the newsletters and other emails concerning the activities of the Club. Annual subscription is only $10.00. If you pay your subscription prior to the AGM, you will be a financial member until the 2009 AGM. If you are not a financial member as at the AGM, we may stop sending you newsletters and other emails concerning the activities of the Club.

You can renew your membership by completing the tear-off slip below (you may need to print and cut yourself if accessing this from the website) and posting it together with your cheque for $10.00 to the Club (P.O. Box 40, Timaru).

Please update your details if anything has changed:

………………………………………………… …………………………………………………
Full name Phone

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Home address

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email address

Are there other members of your family living at the same address who also wish to join the Club? One annual $10.00 subscription covers all members of a family residing as one household. Each person within the same household who wishes to join the Club must complete a Membership Application form - reply to this email to be sent a form.

If you are unsure whether or not your membership subscription is paid up, please contact the Treasurer: tony@mitchellmccleary.co.nz

KEN GRAVE
Secretary
23.08.2008

Hi All

I will have notice of the Club’s 2008 Annual General Meeting out to everyone shortly – the meeting will be in the next few weeks.  Apologies for any confusion caused by the early notice in the last newsletter.

Ken

Hi All - please see the following from Alan Johns

New track just opened for anyone who doesn’t know about it already. It starts from the railway track, Claremont end. It turns off 100 feet before you get to the first seat, you turn to your right and it drops down through the creek and joins up with the original low track - as you can see in the photo - Kev’s showing how it’s done. Kev’s hard work in building this for us all should be acknowledged. Thanks Alan

Beachcomber Cruises offer water transport to the Queen Charlotte Track and also cruise throughout Queen Charlotte Sound including the New Zealand Post Mail Run.

The Queen Charlotte Track is 71kms in length and is renowned for its stunning views, contrasting landscape, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. To complete all of the track we have our Great Track & Pack Pass which includes transport and luggage transfers. We also have many day walk/mountain biking options available ranging from 2hrs - 7hrs. Please contact our friendly team about day options.

We would like to offer your group special discounted rates with our Great Track & Pack Pass for both mountain bikers and trampers.
For Mountain Bikers:
One way transport from Picton to Ship Cove with luggage transfers will cost $65.00 per person. Minimum 4 pax.
Great Track & Pack Pass including return transport from Picton to Ship Cove with a pickup from Anakiwa and luggage transfers will cost $80.00 per person. Minimum 4 pax
For Trampers:
Our Great Track & Pack Pass including return transport from Picton to Ship Cove with a pickup from Anakiwa and luggage transfers will cost $80.00 per person. Minimum 4 pax
For groups of 10+ please contact us for our group rate.
If you would like information about accommodation on the Queen Charlotte Track please visit our website www.beachcombercruises.co.nz where you will find information about accommodation available.
If you would like more information or to make a reservation please contact our friendly team
Kind regards
Paula
Beachcomber Fun Cruises
The Waterfront
P.O. Box 12
Picton New Zealand
Office: +64 3 573 6175
Fax: +64 3 573 6176
Web: www.beachcombercruises.co.nz

McLeans Island in the morning

• 11km one-way loop - no oncoming traffic
• Buffed singletrack, bermed corners mostly through pine forest
• No climbs (other than up ‘n’ down stopbanks)
• Suitable for all abilities - great for families, even with quite young children (so long as they can cope with the distance)
• Suitable even in inclement weather
• 25 minutes to 1 hour per lap - the fast guys ‘n’ gals can do multiple laps!

Check out http://www.onyourbike.co.nz/ for details. McLeans Island is between Christchurch Airport and the Waimakariri River - the entrance to the MTB track is opposite Orana Park.

BYO lunch

Port Hills singletrack in the afternoon

• 20+ kilometre loop
• 2+ hours

We’ll start from a car park above the Sign of the Takahe in Cashmere, so no huge climb: 5 minutes of tarseal up to Victoria Park, then climbing offroad for 15 minutes will have us up to the Summit Road, just below Sugarloaf Transmitter. Admire the view across the city and plains to the Alps and catch your breath before turning left (East) and ride flowing singletrack along Bowenvale Traverse Track probably as far as the top of Rapaki Track.

Return the way we came but continue past Sugarloaf, dropping down Thomsons Track past the Sign of the Kiwi (maybe an icecream?) and a short tarseal climb along the Summit Road to the top of Worsleys Road, then down Marleys Hill Track (aka “Flying Nun”) onto Old Dyers Pass Track then a short climb back to the waiting cars.

This ride is 80% singletrack, 10% 4WD track, 10% tarseal

I would describe it as moderately difficult singletrack - narrow, with frequent obstacles - a few (mainly very short - often only 10 metres or so) stretches may be easier walked. Some technical ability and confidence is required. If you aren’t comfortable riding the more technical tracks in the Scenic, you may find this ride challenging in places.
Check out http://www.onyourbike.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30 for some good photos of what to expect on the easier sections of track.

Check out http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Cycling/TracksRides/PortHills.asp for more details on the tracks, and track reports. Note that as at yesterday many of the tracks were closed due to the recent rain, however the tracks I’ve selected above are very quick-drying (except for Old Dyers Pass Track, which we can avoid if need be). In the absence of any more significant rain, I’m reasonably confident the tracks will be open by next weekend.

Obviously, the Port Hills are exposed and so this ride is weather-dependent. It’s not a nice place to be in a howling southerly! We’ll keep Bottle Lake Forest as a backup - lots of great tracks with plenty of shelter.

More details next week as to car-pooling, meeting times and places

Hope lots of you can make it

Ken

Chris Thomas has organized the following Club Ride for this weekend.

Start and finish the ride at Michael Little’s farm, (Little Road, off Cave Pareora Road). Start time 10.30am.

Meet at the Aorangi Park car park on Morgans Road, Timaru at 9.30am to car pool.

The proposed course is quite demanding and hilly, exposed to weather and wet so members will need to be well prepared with wet weather gear and good fitness levels. The track would not be marked out and we would be riding through areas with stock so we would need to ride as a group.

Approximately 20 kilometres and 2 – 3 hours

If the weather is looking dodgy, watch out for an email or listen to cancellations on Port FM on Sunday morning or contact Chris Thomas: chris@specialevents.co.nz

Hello to all those who can proudly say they completed the first ever Contact Epic!! It sure was a fantastic day and one which lead to a lot of pride and achievement (as well as the odd sore part!).

Sponsorship

Contact Energy have powered up their support for the 2009 event. Next year they not only want to support more local community groups and winners but also each of you as well! They are providing every competitor with a free 10 minute massage at the end of the race as well as a free commemorative photo of each competitor somewhere along this picturesque journey.

We wish to again thank you for your support in the inaugural year by informing you first of the opening of entries.

You have one week to enter on line before we begin to advertise via our database and the local media.

Entering before the end of August will save you money as well.

To access the discount entitlement all you need to do is enter nzsultimate if you wish to enter the Epic or ultimate if you wish to enter the Classic into the discount code box on the entry page.

Any students who completed the 2008 event are also eligible for entry into the open leg of the Epic and therefore LMS kitty.

You are also eligible for the free entries offered again by Taff and Penny Cochrane to the first 10 local high school entrants if you are still at school.

To receive the free entry all you need to do is be one of the first 10 students to type focstudent into the discount code box. As there is no parental permission section in the open men’s please just print off the entry form and post in with parental permission noted, and your school, on the bottom as well as filling in the online form.

Click here to enter on line now: http://www.contactepic.co.nz/entry.html