Bicycle bonanza
Relevant offers
Whether it's two wheels or two feet, it's a great opportunity to get that New Year's fitness resolution under way. EMMA GOODWIN looks at some biking trails for the not-so-fit.
IN your garage is there a strange-looking machine sulking in one corner, feeling neglected, covered in cobwebs and a little rusty round the edges?
While it may look like torture equipment from the dark ages it could be the start of a new lease on life for you and some welcome respite for your car.
The bike is often much maligned as a means of fitness or transport. After all the seat is not nearly as comfortable as the upholstered one in the car and it is not nearly as weatherproof either, but it has its advantages in getting to places where four wheels cannot go.
And here lies the crux of this story: Seeing what lies beyond the tarseal, where a whole new world opens up before you in the form of ever-changing scenery and lifeforms overlooked in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life.
While you can take the bike out and do a little tiki tour around the streets of the city you live in, to really appreciate the freedom a bike gives, take a look further afield and try some of the wonderful bike trails around the district.
Absolute beginners or riders with children in tow should be prudent and not tackle anything that could cause an affront to the fitness level or stability of the bike.
So if the thought of putting on training wheels lies heavy on your mind, the following could be viable options for your first foray into the world of mountain bike trails.
Palmerston North's Bridle Track is ideal for beginners and families and has enough length for a one-to-two-hour ride.
Running alongside the Manawatu River from Te Matai Road to Maxwell's Line, you can enter at several points. As it is not a loop track, you will need to turn around when you get to the end so keep this in mind when deciding how long you want to be pedaling for. At the Maxwell's Line end there is a mountainbike skills park with jumps and obstacles that will hone skills for more advanced tracks. It's also a good carrot to keep the kids riding.
Just outside town is the Greens Road bike riding track.
Drive or ride out to the end of Turitea Rd, off Old West Rd, and head over the bridge up to the right. Follow the gravel road through to Kahuterawa Rd and then back again.
For a great day out, head down to Waitarere Forest where there's a ride suitable for recreational riders, which means you can take the kids.
Drive to Waitarere beach and turn right at the petrol station once you get to the settlement. There's a locked gate which you can climb and lift the bikes over and then you're free to explore the gravel road that goes to the Foxton beach rivermouth.
Pack some food and have a great day exploring the forest and the beach once you get there. If you feel the need for more of a challenge, the Wharite Peak Woodville track is probably exactly what you need.
You'll need to be of average fitness and the 20 kilometre route can take one to three hours to complete, and there's a juicy hill to test the thighs and lungs.
Take the first road left – Woodlands Road – after leaving the Manawatu Gorge, and follow until the gravel starts.
Unload your bike and look towards your destination, Wharite Peak, which is the high peak at the southern end of the Ruahine Ranges. You can't miss it as it has a communications tower on it.
It's a hard 700m climb to the top but a fun descent as long as you like a rush.
Kohitere Forest in Levin has multiple options for riders.
Drive to Denton Road in Levin and head for the carpark. Start your upward ride over the stile and a 2km ride will take you 300m upwards from where you started.
Then there are various options for your downhill ride depending how brave you are.
Those who love an adrenaline rush will enjoy the tracks that run down to the left. Those who would like to live another day take the right-hand option.
For more exploration options before you head back to base, ride along the 4WD track until you see a single track to the left. This will take you back to where you started and you can begin the descent to ground zero.
Make sure you pack plenty of water and take a snack with you. Also tell someone where you are going if you are going alone, and let them now what time you expect to be back.
- © Fairfax NZ News
