Bike NZ’s electronic Newsletter. Check it out HERE
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Following the distressing deaths of two cyclists in the Wellington region, CAN has launched a campaign, which includes an e-petition and meetings with Government Ministers and key officials to adopt our Nine Point Plan.
To make this happen, there are a few simple things you can do. For more info, please see our website: Click Here
Check out the latest e-CAN newsletter while on site.

The RMTBC’s annual Triple Crown race is coming up next weekend, entries have been full for a couple of weeks and folks are starting to get excited about it. There are guys out training with timing watches, re-rding technical sections, checking their lines (smoothing some out!). For some people (like me) this race is one of the only events that appeals to the racer in me, maybe this years inaugural Peak 2 Pools event in September will be another.

Meanwhile the Euro’s and and Americans have been having their own sort of endurance dounhill races. The MegaAvalanche has been happening in France, there is a really funny report from the kiwis racing on NZride here, A Canadian ladies report here on Fluidride. The American race is the Downieville Super D, a 30 mile downhill singletrack race, check out reports on NSMB and Fluidride. There is a helmet cam of the course here

Go wild
Jeff

The Rotorua MTB held its AGM on 7th July 2008. A good turnout of members saw some new faces nominated for the top jobs. Check out the full minutes here

Mel Whiting has had her almost new, dark gray Avanti Hammer stolen (from her back door!!).
It has yellow Candy pedals and the serial no is U70K04489. To make matters worse also stolen - “my lovely blue Specialized helmet with pretty pink and white flowers!”
Mel works for EBOP and is a Search and Rescue (SAREX) volunteer.
Please keep an eye out for her bike. If you spot it call the Police.

RATS Duathalon, Race 3 is on this Saturday12th July. Followed by N-Duro Race 3 on Sunday 13th July. What a weekend! Let’s hope it not snowing?
The N-Duro course for sunday is HERE
The Rats course for Saturday will be up later (but basically follows the N-Duro short course). RATS

The AGM is upstairs at the Pig N Whistle tonight at 7pm, open to all members. Ric Balfor will be speaking.
The annual accounts are here

If you’re in the forest this week, keep an eye out for the huge mower that is mowing the roadsides, it’s really wide, please get well off the road so it can get past you and shield your eyes from flying bits.

The presidents report text follows.
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Today was so cool, there was snow up the top of Tawa. Matt Stulen and I got first tracks through Tuhoto Ariki mid-morning and there was snow all along the sides of the track, covering the pungas, it was an amazing sight. I got a call from photographer Graeme Murray who was up on Tarawera shooting pictures in the snow and then out in the forest shooting pictures. You’ll probably see them in mags, but here’s a taster…

Don’t forget the club AGM is on Monday night, 7pm upstairs at the Pig N Whistle

Triple Crown-27 July 2008
Entries are now closed. Anyone entered that now cannot race, please contact race organiser Paul Larkin 021673202 ASAP so that those on the waiting list can race. Also we will refund entry fees to those on waiting list that don’t make it to the race lineup. This will be a brilliant event.

Entry List follows
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Just in case you’ve been hiding in a cave, and didn’t realise, well all the mtb world champs footage can be viewed for free on the internet on freecaster.com and also on mtbcut.tv. It pays to have a broadband connection and the latest version of Apple’s Quicktime software (free to download).

Saturday July 5 - Poker Run at Midday
Forecast is crusty - perfect weather for singlespeeds! And Old Chevy can take it. You don’t have to be a singlespeeder to enter - Great spot prizes from Burger Fuel, Galaxy United Travel, Nzo, J A Russells and NINER Bikes. More details here

The RMTBC has been in discussions with DOC and with Forest and Bird with regard to putting a dual use mountain biking and hiking track in the Okareka Scenic Reserve. It’s still early days and nothing has been agreed, but the current proposal under discussion is shown in the attached map.

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Timberlands is the Forestry Management company that looks after the tree cutting rights in Whakarewarewa Forest on behalf of Havard Endowment Fund and the NZ Super Fund. The underlying land is currently owed by the crown, but is part of the recently agreed “treelord” Treaty of Waitangi settlement, which passes land ownership to a collective of local iwi. The current “wander at will” provision that allows for walking cycling and horse riding access to Whaka is one of the conditions of the new ownership. However the right to have and build mountain biking trails in Whaka is a little uncertain, though at this stage there is no reason to expect the new owners would not want trails, as they provide great benefit to their local community.
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NZ Ride is a downhill racing website based in Auckland, it reports on all things downhill. You can subscribe (for free) to a fortnightly e-newsletter that provides a good update on local events and how kiwi riders are going internationally. It’s a highly recommended read.

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Well winter is certainly here, the good thing is the trails are holding up really well.
We have a few areas to cut back and repair, nothing too serious.If it’s pouring down we’ll flag it and enjoy a sleep in.
Usual story meet at the club container Longmile Road 9am start, Midday sharp finish. Bring your favorite tool or use ours Cheers Rhys C 0274877438

Matt Walker had a spectacular crash on the last jump of the downhill, while on a scorcher time, here’s the pic from his Mum

There’s also a video on Vorb.

We’re still waiting on race reports to filter in from the other riders from Rotorua. Keep an eye on craigpattle.com for an update from Craig

RATs & Red Stag Kids Winter Duathlon - only for kids! This weekend on 22nd June. The course is targeted for primary and secondary school kids and we have two distances on offer.
• Short course: 500 m run - 3km MTB - 500m run Check out the short course
• Long course: 1.5km run - 8km MTB - 500m run Check out the long course
Race HQ is at Waipa MTB carpark, registration is from 8.30am - 9.45am, the races start at 10am. Entry is cheap, $5 per kid, no matter if RAT or not, and no late fee applies - please, if you enter on the day, come early to allow us time to process your entry! Entry forms can be downloaded HERE or from our webpage RATS or fill out the form and send a cheque to the given address or use our great ‘drop off facility’ at Bike Vegas on Fenton Street - put the entry and money (cash or cheque) in an envelope and drop it off at the store with the friendly blokes!
All entrants will receive a certificate after the race and spotprizes will be up for grabs too!
Parents - ensure your kid knows the course and go out for a play with them beforehand! We’re looking forward to see you there, for any questions just send us a line on info@rats.org.nz or call Kat on 021648640
Big thanks to our sponsors RedStag, Bike Vegas and MoreFM.

The Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, is having its Annual General Meeting on the 7th of July and all members are invited to attend. The venue is the Pig N Whistle Pub upstairs at 7.00pm The meeting will feature a presentation by IMBA trail builder and TECT park ranger Ric Balfor. It is also a chance to discuss any issues that concern members.

All committee positions are up for election. Current committee members have advised they are stepping down from the following positions:
President, Vice President, DH Development Team Manager, DH Event Manager. XC Event Manager

The RMTBC need fresh people to come forward and continue the good work the club has done. Attached is a description of the committee positions and a nomination form. Can you see yourself undertaking one of these roles? Do you wish to make changes, give something to the sport you love, get involved, don’t be shy, now is your chance! Anyone is welcome to call me and discuss any of the roles further, 021619954.

nomination form

Regards
Jeff Carter
President July 2005 to July2008