Berm Buster
DESCRIPTION
Suzuki Berm Buster is another classic 2 day trail ride event. The event takes place 25 minutes out of Taupo on the Taupo to Napier road (SH5) and it located right next to the Kaimanawa Forest Park (native bush). The trails are a bit more wild and rugged than the Trail Blazer series with patches of native bush, some hill climbs and a few Expert only sections. However most of the 110 km of trail is still very family and novice friendly with special kids and Novice tracks.
DATE
8-9 May 2010
POSTER
to be loaded
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tracks: 50km, 40km, 20km, 3km Novice, Senior MX style, Kids forest and Novice kids forest trails. The 40km trail is reserved for Sunday.
Suitable for all abilities 2 and 4 wheelers.
Sign on from 9am. Tracks open 9:30am to 3pm
Fire extinguishers are compulsory and can be bought on the day for $30.
Food: Sausage sizzle, bacon and egg sandwiches, cold drinks and espresso coffee available to purchase.
Entry: Enter on the day. Pay by cash or cheque. Adults $45. Kids 18 years or under $20. Families with kids 15 years or under $85.
Accommodation: There is no camping on site. Taupo has great camping grounds and motels. See http://www.laketauponz.com/
Directions: The event is located on State Highway 5 (The Napier/Taupo Road), around 25 minutes drive from Taupo. Look for Epic Events signs on SH.5.
Information: http://www.epicevents.co.nz/ nick "at" epicevents.co.nz 021 983 766
NEWS
EPIC EVENTS NEWS 4 MARCH 2010
June sees us running one of my favourite rides - Suzuki Berm Buster located on SH5, the Taupo to Napier road next to the Kaimanawa Forest park. Our first 2 day event of the year has historically had the misfortune of being plagued by rain each time we have held it hence numbers have been a bit low (about 400 per day). However the people who take part reckon it is one of their favourite venues. Berm Buster includes the traditional epic events mix of flowing bush tracks, fast open firebreaks and some challenging Expert sections.
ACCOMMODATION
Just a note on accommodation. About 5 minutes from the event is a place called Sika Lodge. The lodge sleeps 30. Sleeping bag required. There is also a fully self contained two bedroom cottage available. Contact phone 073780621 or email bandvk "at" xtra.co.nz. A good option in Taupo is the Top Ten Holiday Park. 080033-2121 http://www.taupotop10.co.nz/ The top ten is right beside the AC baths hot pools so makes a good option if you need a soak.
PHOTOS
Pumice berms everywhere!
You are riding on the edge of the Kaimanawa Forest Park.
Jumps in the small pines
FEEDBACK
Just sending you some feedback from today's ride. Even though me and my old man only did the middle trail because that's all we had time to do it was worth it. Looking forward to the next Epic Events ride.
Pumice is always good and the rain probably improved it. I really appreciate the arrows on your rides. If there are down arrows then watch out, otherwise, go hard. Did you close the 'expert only' section of the 40km loop during the day? I missed it on my second lap.
I look forward to your next epic event.
Wanted to say a big congrats on another epic event. I thought you may also be interested in some GPS info on the Berm Buster event. Have a look at this pathing information I recorded on Saturday on the 55km loop. Unfortunately my batteries died halfway around, will carry spares next time!
Congratulations to you and your team for another great event.
I ummed and aahed before I left home yesterday because of the weather. But very pleased I decided to go.
Great tracks, minimal road sections, some good snotty bits and a few challenges. Well done. How great it would be to do it all again in summer time.
Fantastic event, Cold, Wet and fantastic trails.
Thanks for all your efforts with the ride last weekend. A group of twelve of us from all over the North Island have met up at all your two day rides this year.
six two wheelers and six Quads.
Those of us on Quads have learnt to get on the big loops first before they get rutted and the surface on the 55k was awesome ,Loved the dark forest parts ,Really appreciated having lights.
A big thank you to your man on the grizzly for giving us a push out in the afternoon.
So when do you think you could encourage enough Quads to turn up for a Quad only ride.???.
Just to add to the comments already made. We rode berm buster on the Sunday. We rode from 9:30 till just before 4pm and only stopped for food and fuel. I rode berm buster last year in the dry and it was epic, I rode it in the wet this year and it was just as awesome. Please don't shorten the long loop. The more track you have the less condensed the bikes are. If anything make it longer, more tracks like fire break and ridge line. You can always have short cuts for those that can't handle it or have small fuel tanks.
Ill be back, regardless of when it is.
Hey nick, just some feedback on the day/track, this was my first trail ride and loved it.
Thanks for a great couple of days and see you on the 10th of aug,
We traveled down from Auckland early Sat morning, We did the 55km loop twice and the 20 once. After then we decided to stay and have a crack at the new 40km loop. We found great accommodation, had a awesome evening, arrived early for Sun, did 2 40kms loops which I reckon was the pic of the weekend.
Weather aside I would personally give the event a 9.5/10. The only comment I could suggest is sign on a hour earlier if possible as I'm sure keen riders such as ourselves would be rearing to go at a earlier time thus allowing a early escape back home. Riders not in a rush would still turn up whenever.
Thanks again and look forward to the next event