With riders set off in waves, the
trails still seem almost empty
The Sutherlands turn up and we, well I, decide to
ride Dam Buster for the day to take in the best of
the Waiouru training ground. I tell them it’s going
to be a long day and, as I’m pretty beaten up after
the previous day’s riding, we should take it easy and
pace ourselves. Dad and son apparently didn’t get
the memo... they’re clearly keen as mustard, racing
off leaving me covered in roost. Within a couple of
kilometres I find one of them wrapped in a fence
and only a couple more down the track, the other
appears to have been eaten by a large bush. The
scene has already been set for the rest of the day.
By the time we arrive at the fuel dump and fill our
bikes (it still seems like I’m making a mistake putting
neat petrol in the two-stroke’s tank), the pace has
settled down. We’ve crossed some decent streams
and ridden some beautiful countryside and are
about 30km into our day. Like most others there,
we sit in the shade and have a bite to eat and drink
– and chat to 12-year-old Toby Vanderharst who’s
spending his birthday out riding with his dad Rob,
who kindly lends us two bucks for a can of pop.
Setting off on the Dam Buster loop we had no
idea what was to be in store for us. I’d ridden it the
day before in the dry and it was a stunning ride
but, despite no rain at the campground, there had
been significant rain in the north of the training
ground. This led to some very slippery going, with
big ruts forming on the hills which proved hard
work but the Kiwi spirit was alive and well, with
more experienced riders readily offering helping
hands. For safety, the organisers insist every rider
Fantastic trails in stunning NZ countryside
yet there’s only one other rider in sight
Jake Whitaker thrilled the
crowd with trials antics
KIWI Todd
RIDER
61
Photo:
Sutherland