"On your bike!" - But whereabouts?

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 374, 19 February 1991, Page 9

"On your bike!" - But whereabouts?

If you've got a mountain bike this area would seem to be ideal for getting into it in a big way. But what about the conservation department's no-bikes rule? Well, there are places you can't ride but there are also many great tracks around on DoC land that you're more than welcome to use. Tongariro, Erua and Rangataua conservation areas are open to mountain bikes and all three offer challenging mountain bike trails on rough 4WD tracks. Tongariro National Park's internal roads are okay for mountain bikes, including the Ohakune Mountain Road, the Tukino Mountain Road, the Bruce Road past Whakapapa Village and the Mangatepopo Road. Also, within driving distance there is the Wairakei Tourist Park which has various routes and logging roads, all signposted. Why aren't the tracks in the National Park open to bikes? Mainly because of the damage they can cause.

"Both boots and tyres can damage tracks, but the difference is that a bike tyre leaves a rut when ridden over soft surfaces. Ruts allow water to flow along the track, removing the- material and causing the track to erode away and no matter how careful you are you can't avoid this damage in some areas," states a DoC pamphlet.

Also, the conflict between bikers and walkers is of concern to park management, with walkers at risk on narrow winding tracks if bikers are also using the route. DoC offices have available a pamphlet on mountain biking on conservation land, which includes maps, and staff are happy to discuss potential rides with mountain bikers.