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Red tape runs down volunteer enthusiasm
As a longtime supporter of volunteer trail builders, Trail Fund NZ increased its focus on advocacy four years ago. Tha catalyst was when it came to light that bikes’ classification as ‘vehicles’ on public conservation land was causing significant delays to projects around the country, and meant that iconic trails – including several Great Rides – did not comply. Since then, it’s been a slow ride towards resolving the issue, and several passionate volunteers are feeling defeated “Old Ghost Road, Great Lake Trail, Paparoa, Timber Trail… these are only a few of the country’s Great Rides that have sections that...
Support stretches north to south
The latest round of Trail Fund grants – supported by Specialized generous donation – helps build new trail networks from Northland to Southland Thanks to an incredible $17,850 donation from Specialized New Zealand, Trail Fund’s spring funding round was bigger than ever this year, with four grants of $4,000 up for grabs! The increased number of grants on offer saw the biggest number of applicants in years, with 26 trail building groups vying for the funding. “This was a really tough round for funding decisions as there were so many quality applicants,” said Advisory Board member Peter Mora. “After much...
The gift that keeps giving
Thanks to its Soil Searching initiative – created to recognize, celebrate and support trail builders – Specialized has helped enable future trail building efforts through one local legend and a generous Trail Fund donation Talk about making the most of winter. While some hung up their bikes to avoid battering sloppy trails and others jetted off for an overdue overseas trip, Specialized set its sights on finding and rewarding the nation’s top trail builder with a limited edition Soil Searching Specialized Levo – then auctioning off a second and donating all the proceeds – an incredible $17, 850! – to...
Partnering up for the good of trails
Thanks to a combined effort from Ibis and Trail Fund, eight trail building clubs up and down the country have more tools in their sheds to further develop the amazing network of mountain bike trails around New Zealand. Read more on each club and its plans below! For more than a decade, Trail Fund NZ has been helping volunteer trail building groups around the country establish themselves and their trail networks by gifting grants, ebarrows and other tools. “A little can go a long way, especially when it comes to giving newer clubs credibility with small grants or investing in...
Come for the surf, stay for the dirt
Raglan Mountain Bike Club says the town will likely always be known for its surf, but thanks to hard work and persistence from a small group of locals, its growing trail network is a great back up for surfers and a haven for locals With the Rotorua redwoods and Taupo’s trails only a short drive away, Raglan local Merren Tait decided the town should start its own club to make the most of the nearby trails. Fourteen years later, club members still organize the odd trip to Rotorua or Taupo, but they also have a network of their own –...