Mountain Biking South 41 Great Rides in New Zealand’S South Island
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For my mountain bike girl, Ditte MOUNTAIN BIKING SOUTH 41 GREAT RIDES IN NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTH ISLAND Text and photographs by Dave Mitchell Maps by Geographx ACknowledgments Firstly, I need to acknowledge the two intrepid Canadians we encountered on the Heaphy Track in 1985. We were off caving and they were having the time of their lives sin- gle-track riding. This planted the ‘what a fantastic piece of kit’ seed into our collective brains and our first mountain bike purchase soon followed. From then on we rode most weekends, exploring local tracks and the back country be- yond. I would also like to thank my partners in crime Ditte van der Meulen, Joe Arts, Russ Taylor, Pete Braggins, Kathy Lynch, Alison Taylor, Mike Pearce, Guy Wynn-Williams, Dave Fenton, Murray Dwyer, Carol Hides (Wheels), Sharyn Mill- er, Dion Rae, Shane Burmester, Helen Gilroy, Phil and Paul Bainbridge, John Gurr, the Canterbury Mountain Bike Club and the Ground Effect crew. Stephanie Turner provided her vast language skills for the initial proofing of the book, with Ditte keeping me on track. Thanks to all those farmers and landowners who allow access into their special piece of First published in 2010 by Craig Potton Publishing New Zealand, and to all the track builders past and present, especially the early miners who created some of the best Craig Potton Publishing 98 Vickerman Street, PO Box 555, Nelson, New Zealand mountain bike tracks in the country, without knowing that www.craigpotton.co.nz such things would exist one day. Forgive me for any errors, omissions and misdirections, Reprinted 2011 and please inform the publisher so that corrections can be © Maps by Geographx made to future editions. Descending the Maitai River South Branch Track in style © Photography and text: Dave Mitchell ISBN: 978 1 877517 32 7 Printed in China by Midas Printing International Ltd This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without the permission of the publishers. 2 Contents 1 7 3 4 5 8 10 Introduction 8 21 Paringa Cattle Track 75 15 11 16 9 1 Kahurangi Lighthouse 10 22 St James Conservation Area 78 17 12 2 Rameka Track and Canaan Loop 14 23 Poulter River Valley 81 6 3 Kill Devil Track 17 24 Wharfedale Track 84 19 20 13 4 Maungatapu Track 21 25 Summit Road–Double Fence Line 87 14 18 5 Dun Mountain–South Maitai 24 26 Dogs Range 90 22 6 Beebys Knob 28 27 Mesopotamia 94 7 D’Urville Island 31 28 Hopkins River Valley 98 23 8 Nydia Track 34 29 Dusky Trail 101 24 9 Wakamarina Track 37 30 Ahuriri Valley 104 10 Cullen Creek–Waikakaho 40 31 Pavilion Peak–Melina Ridge Tracks 107 25 11 Whites Bay Loop–Mt Robertson 43 32 East and West Manuherikia 110 21 12 Mt Patriarch 46 33 Mt Buster–Johnstones Creek Track 113 26 28 27 13 Half Moon Bay–Okiwi Bay 50 34 Prospect Hill–Omeo Gully Loop 116 29 14 Clarence Reserve 53 35 Rock and Pillar Range 119 30 31 15 Mokihinui–Lyell Track 56 36 Government Track 122 32 16 Charming Creek Walkway 59 37 Cardrona–Roaring Meg Pack Track 125 38 33 17 Denniston–New Creek 62 38 Black Peak and Mt Alaska 128 37 18 Croesus–Moonlight Gold Trail 66 39 Mt Bee Ridge Track 131 40 34 19 Kirwans–Blacks Point Track 69 40 Mavora Lakes Park 134 35 39 20 Big River–Waiuta Track 72 41 Percy Saddle–Borland Road 137 41 36 the map was not where the GPS indicated. A GPS can get introduCtion you out of trouble when the clouds roll in, but remember, it is electronic and can fail at the drop of a hat. In the mid 1980s mountain bikes became yet another piece of recreational equipment introduced to New Huts Zealand. Many of the early bikes, resplendent with carriers and pannier bags, were lugged over by American New Zealand’s hut network is ideal for overnight mountain tourists and merely used to cycle-tour New Zealand, based on a perception that we had a rough and ready bike trips. Without huts, the tents, sleeping mats and ex- second-world roading system. Instead they found a network of roads more suited to European touring bicycles tra paraphernalia required for a night out make biking so or cyclocross mounts. When their owners left the country, most of these bikes were traded or sold into the much harder and less accessible. To arrive at a hut with a lightweight sleeping bag and extra food is pure pleasure hands of Kiwis looking for a faster and more efficient way into the back country. in comparison, and opens up all sorts of riding possibilities. Treat huts as if you own them, and make room for others This was by no means the first time pioneering Kiwis had be local tracks or far-flung ones in the remotest part of the as if they own them. Carry out all your rubbish and leave used fat-tyred bicycles in the back blocks of New Zealand. high country. Their magical ability to amplify one’s physical them as you would like to find them. Buy the appropriate Indeed there are stories of adventurous cyclists piloting efforts still amazes me after all these years. hut tickets and expect to pay for private huts. penny-farthings on little more than goat tracks along the South Island’s wild and rugged West Coast in the late 1800s. Length and difficulty Water, footprint and responsibility The many cycling clubs that thrived around the turn of the Many of the rides in this book are downright hard and Most New Zealand streams and rivers provide safe drinking nineteenth century had a history of epic trips on rugged gnarly, requiring a high level of fitness if you want to com- water, just avoid those in farm country that don’t come from tracks and trails, which at the time made up much of the plete the ride. But on the other hand you can break them a bush gully or the high tops. When doing a tops trip carry country’s roading network. down into manageable chunks and still enjoy them. They adequate water and pre-plan for the fill up points along the The specialised mountain bike provided a strong frame will build stamina and moral fibre, expand your horizons way using your topo map. Leave only tyre tracks, and take of chromoly steel and a group of components that could and hopefully help you appreciate what a wonderful place only air, water, memories and digital images. Ask permis- take the rough and tumble of off-road riding. They could and time we live in. sion to ride on private land. Most landowners are more than climb steep hills and descend them without the fear of Weather is the most important factor to consider for any willing to share their back country if it doesn’t interfere with brake fade or failure, broken forks or bent frames—a per- trip, and New Zealand seems to have very variable weather their day to day farming. Leave all gates as you find them fect recipe for long distance trips into the unknown with at any time of year. The cornerstone of any ride is to book and don’t run stock. Top section of the Croesus–Moonlight Gold Trail the possibility of returning in one piece. fine weather with light winds, maybe even a tail wind for They have evolved rapidly to become lighter, stronger, the returning leg. River crossings can be just as dangerous Safety and equipment suspended and more accessible to the average rider. They for mountain bikers as they are for trampers; soft snow will The key to survival and having a great trip is firstly prepa- Grading float along riverbeds, swoon sweet single-track, descend stop you dead and strong winds can sometimes make rid- ration, followed by fitness and equipment. Your body, like 1 Flat and relatively smooth, suitable for those huge mountains and climb some of the steepest tracks you ing impossible, especially on the tops. your bike, should be well maintained and fit for the pur- starting out. could imagine. But let’s not forget it takes a rider to push pose. The ride should be planned and the weather gods 2 Mainly flat, with short gradual climbs that require things along, and many of us rose to the challenge and still Maps and navigation and oracles consulted, and their predictions duly noted some fitness and skill. keep it going to this day. The Department of Conservation (DOC) produces some and acted upon. Gear taken should match the conditions 3 More challenging climbs and terrain requiring a Alexei Sayle once said ‘They are the most efficient form excellent pamphlets on mountain biking areas. From my and expected terrain. Plans B, C and D will give you alterna- medium level of fitness and skill. of movement on the surface of the planet’, and I guess he’s experience they provide good general information but you tive options to head for the best weather and riding condi- 4 Challenging climbs, descents and technical got a point. In fact some experts say it is the most efficient will still need a New Zealand topo map to navigate your way tions with less pressure and more pleasure. Pick your riding riding requiring a good level of skill and fitness.