Where next for town’s mountain bike trails?
❛ Everything is voluntary at the moment. There is a development trust that applies for funding for the tracks, but it is mainly volunteers and a few people doing a lot Naseby Vision chairwoman Jill Wolff
MANIOTOTO mountain bikers are calling for further consideration of the Naseby Forest trails as biking in the area takes off.
The 500ha privatelyowned Naseby Forest recreational area consists of 53km of mountain biking trails and has become a popular riding stop for locals and visitors.
Maintenance of the trails has so far relied on fundraising and voluntary work from the local community.
More than $23,000 has been raised to date through funding organisations for maintenance of the tracks.
Naseby Vision chairwoman Jill Wolff said how the trails were managed and kept ‘‘up to scratch’’ was an issue.
‘‘Everything is voluntary at the moment. There is a development trust that applies for funding for the tracks, but it is mainly volunteers and a few people doing a lot.’’
Naseby track builder Kila Hepi said virtually every car driving through town had a mountain bike on the back.
‘‘Previously it was one car in 20 would have a bike on the back. Now one car in 20 doesn’t have a bike on the back.’’
Two midweek biking clubs had emerged in Naseby which had steadily been attracting residents from across the wider Maniototo district, with up to 26 people meeting for weekly rides.
The area also hosts the Naseby 12 Hour Challenge mountain biking event in April.
Ancient Briton and Royal Hotels manager Jan Rutherford said mountain biking had steadily been rising in Naseby.
‘‘[The Ancient Briton and Royal] definitely benefit from the forest tracks, especially as it’s suited to all ages and riders of different levels.’’
The Naseby Forest area is owned by forestry company Ernslaw One Ltd.
Naseby Forest manager Paul Hart said the organisation reinstates the tracks following logging season. But he said future funding for the trails should not necessarily come from Ernslaw One.
‘‘We don’t get anything out of it.’’
‘‘We get a bit of money from the 12hour event, which is put back into the recreation area.’’
Maniototo Community Board chair Robert Hazlett confirmed the board had not any consultation from Naseby Vision.
‘‘I know a lot of people are going up [to the Naseby Forest].
‘‘The biggest problem is that it is a private forest and the only reason bikers are allowed in there is because of the grace of Ernslaw One.’’
A Tourism Central Otago spokeswoman said it had not met Naseby Vision in regards to promoting Naseby as a mountain biking destination.
‘‘We are very happy to meet them to understand what their plans are and how we might work together best.’’
‘‘When it comes to mountain biking Naseby has a great offering, and we applaud the community’s efforts to formalise access, signage and tracks in the forest so that there is a good experience for visitors.’’