A HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!

The new Inwards Goods uphill seems to be a winner! It was build by 3 Pete's over Xmas. One of them even went out on Xmas day and did some work. Also the Peter Mac and Chas made the Huka Lodge uphill a bit easer at the top and around the sharpe corner.

Thanks to Ground Effects Slush fund and DoC we are going to take out all the structures so that the track is ridable all the way to the Prawn Farm. We have to build about 200 meters of  new track to get around the zig zag and also another 200 meters to get a new exit out of the Totara Gully then the longer term aim will be to link down to the Big Tunnel, most of the track is in native bush with lots of little bridges etc. Its nice to ride now so long as you like carrying the bike up and down steep stair's. We will use the slush funding to pay for Labour to remove the structures and reroute the track in the furthest away parts of the track.

Check out the Article in the Dominion on John Taylor. Most people don't even see him on the tracks because he's out during the week but right from day one on the Rotary Ride he has been working away making it better.

Bike Taupo has acquired some new equipment to help with the construction of the W2K (Whakaipo to Kinloch) track, and maintenance on existing tracks.

The quad bike was purchased from Huka Honda and the dump trailer was built to order. Both these items were sponsored by The Rotary Club of Taupo Moana and have been purchased specifically for use on W2K but have had a try out on the new Titoki Gully track which is nearing completion.

The BOB trailer was sponsored by The Cornershop and will be used for transporting tools etc. into existing tracks for maintenance purposes.

The Wairakei boys have built a new track called The Drone (built by a working bee) its over the horse stops. You will also notice that we have named the major intersection  "The Corner Shop Contention".  This is the meeting of 3 major tracks in the forest and the Drone is the start of the next stage of building new tracks towards the north.

The horse stops (see photo) are working a treat and many thanks to Banga who build them. We have started a new track on inwards goods to make the uphill easier this will be build over the next two weeks or so.

The track crew have been digging away for the last few months working away at making the tracks better. The new little up and down  hills on the Rotary Ride just to make the little pine trees more interesting, we still have a couple of changes to make on the Rotary Ride to make it a little easier and safer.

If you are belting around on the tracks say  Hi! and a thanks to the Guys working on the tracks. It goes a long way, they are only to happy to tell you were a track is that is worth a look at and its nice to receive a bit of feed back.

Pete M

The old Waikato Walk Way track (Helistar to Prawn Farm) is now open to bikers and walkers starting at the Helistar track sign and goes down into the gully.

Thanks to the Ground Effect Slush fund and DoC we were able to get all the structures out that stopped bikers and have ended up with a great local bike ride in native bush.

The new piece of track was build by 3 Pete’s and Jeff, the "Last of the Summer Wine Building Co." (Banga and Dave). The track is shared with walkers so watch out and remember its is a bit slick when wet.

Cheers

Pete. M