We have been vaguely thinking for some time that we should formulate a policy covering the use of e-bikes on the Craigieburn Trails.
You can find our current position on permitted e-bikes here (also accessible under the Track Use/Code of Conduct menu), but it can be summarised as pedal-assist e-bikes with a motor up to 300W and no throttle are permitted on the Craigieburn Trails.
We had considered a free t-shirt for every e-bike rider, but decided against pursuing that idea… 🙂
Please be aware that the Trans NZ Enduro will be competing on the Craigieburn Trails on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th February 2016.
Riders & walkers are advised to avoid the timed race sections of the tracks listed below and on the attached maps, and to watch out for increased uphill rider traffic on the other non-timed sections.
Up Lyndon Saddle and down The Luge: 9am – 11am
Along Dracophyllum Flat and up Cheeseman Skifield Road: 10am – 1pm
Down Cockayne Alley and joining in the final end of Dracophyllum Flat to Timm’s Stream: 11.40am-2pm
Hogs Back Track first half: 12.30pm-3pm
Final descent into Castle Hill Village: 1pm – 3.30pm
Up Hut Creek/Bridge Hill: 8am – 9am
Down Dicksons: 8.30am – 10am
Up Craigieburn Ski Road: 9am – 11.30am
Down Craigieburn Edge and lower Lyndon Saddle Track: 10.15am – 12.00pm
The Craigieburn Trails team are pleased to work with DoC and the Enduro organisers in facilitating this race; there is a levy paid by each competitor which goes 100% directly back into track maintenance and future development.
Welcome to 2016 on the Craigieburn Trails.
We have a workparty coming up on Waitangi Weekend to firm up some parts of the Coal Pit Spur Track with a view to making it more sustainable for year round riding.
We have already had a large quantity of gravel delivered high on the Coal Pit Spur pylon track, but it needs a bit of help to get further in to the right bits of the track.
| When: | 9am, Saturday 6th February 2016 |
| Where: | Layby on SH73 at north end (Flock Hill end) of Coal Pit Spur Track |
| Bring: | Wheelbarrows, shovels, water, suncream, snacks/food, enthusiasm! |
We hope to have a power-barrow on-site as well.
See you there!
After keeping a close eye on the conditions of the Trails after the winter, the volunteer crew up at Castle Hill have been out tidying up some of the smaller windfall on the tracks and checking that the tracks are dry enough to officially open.
It’s been pleasing to note that the hard work put in last year (not least by Scott & Kev at T5 Contracting) has resulted in the tracks holding up really well over the winter.
Continue reading
Ground Effect have kindly contributed $1000 from their slush fund towards the cost of gravel to be barrowed in to the Coal Pit Spur Track with the aim of making it a year round track. Continue reading
Well, it’s that time of the year again…
With the recent rain, shorter days and lower temperatures meaning the tracks are struggling to dry out, we’ve reluctantly changed the status for the main Craigieburn Trails tracks to Closed for the winter. Continue reading
Proceeds from the sale of this map go directly towards building and maintaining the tracks. The essential guide to the Craigieburn Trails in a beautifully presented package, this map is printed on a soft micro-fibre cloth which is also perfect for cleaning your riding glasses, before scrunching up in a little ball and stuffing up your sleeve or alongside your hydration pack. The front of the map clearly shows all the main tracks in Craigieburn Forest Park and through to Castle Hill Village, including all the details you need for how to find your way to the individual tracks. The back of the map shows the location of the Trig ‘M’ tracks, along with with walking and biking distances & times. Purchasing your map direct from us here on our website ensures the maximum fundraising benefit to the Craigieburn Trails; a bargain at $19.95+P&P!
Both the Trans Enduro NZ and Gravity Canterbury’s Craigieburn Enduro will be racing on the Craigieburn Trails this Saturday, so please be aware of the competitions if you’re thinking of heading this way, and please follow the directions of all marshalls and traffic management officials.
There will be a fair amount of shuttle van traffic running on the ski field roads (Cheeseman, Craigieburn Valley, etc) at various times through the day.
Riders will be coming down The Luge starting at approx 9.45am and through to Castle Hill Village by lunchtime. The Trans Enduro NZ riders will then be on the Craigieburn Edge track in the afternoon.
These events are being run independently from the Castle Hill Community Association, with both events having concessions from DoC.
We’d like to thank the organisers of both events for their support for the Craigieburn Trails as we receive a levy for each competitor which goes directly towards future trail maintenance and development.
The Waimakariri Environment and Recreation Committee (WERC) are running a multi-year project to knock back the populations of wasps in the honeydew beech forest areas of the Waimakariri Basin.
They’re a bit short of volunteers to help with uplifting wasp bait this weekend.
We have a workparty coming up in mid-February to tidy up a short bit of track in Thomas Bush near Castle Hill Village.
This will be a new easy grade mountain bike track suitable for young kids, running from the clearing on the Water Intake road back through to Castle Hill Village. This work party is to complete a section bypassing St Andrews Lodge to link up with the existing tracks. There will be some benching and clearing work to do. Please bring whatever tools you can and meet on the St Andrews Lodge access road, just past the bridge over the Thomas River at 1000h on Saturday 14 February (leave all vehicles in the Hogs Back car park please).
Continue reading
