General News

Epic Events News #13

2 September 2010

By Nick Reader 021983766

Suzuki Pumice Blast not far away - 11-12 September

We have just completed the Pumice Blast tracks and what a challenge it has been! A large snowfall last October has brought down hundreds of trees across the track which needed to be cleared. I reckon we have cleared between 500-1000 fallen trees in total. Lucky we now have our own bulldozer because it took 11 days to clear the tracks, but at the end of it all we have some fantastic groomed trails ready to go.

As per normal, we have modified and improved the tracks to pump up the fun factor plus inserted 2 new expert trails in the dark Douglas Fir blocks. Novice riders will be well looked after with 2 kids, a novice and a family trail. The 2 main trails will be between 40-45km long and will keep the better riders happy. This event has more hills than most of our rides including some fun hill climbs and drop offs.

The base will be located right in the middle of the forest around 15 minutes from Taupo . Unfortunately we will not be able to offer a kids grass track this year, but we will have 2 fun kids forests tracks including a novice kids option.

The guys from Suzuki will have the new RMX 450 available to test ride so make sure you check out this smooth big bore Enduro bike.

Leatt Four hour on TV

Paul Lance and the crew from Bike Rider TV were on hand to capture the action at the Leatt Four hour. Here's what Paul had to say about the footage...

Just sent the Leatt 4-Hour video up to the TV people and they are hoping to have it screening this week on Bike Rider TV. The times and dates the show is on are listed below.

The footage came out really good and I think we've managed to capture all the excitement and drama of the event. Hope you like it!

9/3/10 17:30 SKY Sport 1
9/4/10 15:00 SKY Sport 2
9/5/10 1:00 SKY Sport 3
9/6/10 0:35 SKY Sport 1
9/6/10 20:00 SKY Sport 3
9/8/10 18:30 SKY Sport 3

So make sure you check out one of these screenings

Last Suzuki Trail Blazer of 2010

October 9-10 sees us running a double header event in Tahorakuri Forest. Saturday is for those riding 4 wheels only at the Suzuki ATV Free Ride. Launched in 2009 the Suzuki Free Ride is 100% free and 100% good fun. There are only about 10 places left so if you are keen see http://www.suzuki.co.nz/

Sunday is the last Trail Blazer open to 2 or 4 wheels so make sure you make the most of this great venue. You may be aware that the forest used for the Trail Blazer rides is slowly being cut down and is being converted to farm land. Within 5 years all the trees will be harvested. But don't worry we have a cunning plan in motion to gain access to another local Taupo forest to keep the Trail Blazer legend alive.

Suzuki Berm Buster revisited

We are back for another crack at this event thanks to the forestry company who has let us use the forest in Spring/summer. Many forest companies only allow trail rides up until 30 September so it is great to have access past this time. The date is 13-14 November 2010 with the venue being Wainui forest off the Taupo - Napier Road. We ran the first Berm Buster of the year in May and we had around 600 riders per day cranking around the forest. We know the May event needed a bit more trail (less roads) so we will be busy in October adding more twists and turns to a very popular event.

Calendar

September	11-12	Suzuki Pumice Blast	Waimihia Forest, SH5, Napier Taupo Road	Taupo
October	9	Suzuki ATV Free Ride	Tahorakuri Forest, SH5, North	Taupo
October	10	Suzuki Trail Blazer	Tahorakuri Forest, SH5, North	Taupo
October	30	NZO Whirinaki Quest	Whirinaki Forest Park	Minginui
November	13-14	Suzuki Berm Buster	Wainui Forest	Taupo
January	15-16	Suzuki Desert Storm	Karioi Forest, Mt Ruapehu	Ohakune

Epic Events Trail Ride news

3 August 2010

REHASH

Yep that's the thought that has been in my head when thinking about how to describe all the changes and improvements we have made to the Suzuki Trail Blazer taking place this Sunday 8^th August at Te Toke Rd. It is the same forest, but we have rehashed 2 trails into 3 and made some new stuff.

First up as mentioned in an earlier e mail, in response to all the families that come to the epic rides, we have a new FAMILY TRAIL. This weekend it measures 8.5km long so will provide a decent length trail for families to enjoy without fast riders buzzing by. Look for the new FAMILY TRAIL sign at the track entrances.

But this trail does not come at the expense of our main trail network. We have put in a new MIDDLE TRAIL measuring in at 15km. This trail takes riders on new tracks and part of old tracks and ends up on top of VIEW HILL. The climb to view hill should be fairly challenging, but the view is well worth it. This trail has one EXPERT SECTION.

The LONG TRAIL is now around 37km (we are yet to trip it) and still includes those fantastic new EXPERT ONLY sections including ROOTS EXPERT AND RIDGE EXTREME.

We have a new role at our trail rides called the INCIDENT MANAGER. His main 2 roles are to change the course if needed and to help find injured riders. When finding an injured rider, we call him a SNIFFER because he sniffs out the injury site a lot quicker than a quad with a medic on board. This gets the help where it is needed pronto.

The guys and girls from Suzuki will be in full force this Sunday with a Suzuki RMX 450 available to demonstrate for serious customers. I tell you this is one seriously fun bike to ride. Based on the mighty RMZ450 Motocrosser, but refined for use in the trees, it puts all the power to the ground and the suspension provides a really comfortable, yet capable ride. To ensure you get a test ride, please email me to book a trial. nick "at" epicevents.co.nz

And once you have test ridden and ordered your new RMX 450 from your local dealer, then swing your eyes over to the brand new vehicle from Suzuki called the KIZASHI We will have one of those on show too (but sorry, we do not have a test track for this one!)

Our man Paris from Leatt braces will also be on site demonstrating Leatt braces so make sure you catch up with him for a chat about 'the helmet for your neck'.

And further to our last news item, we have employed a security guard to monitor speed in the pits and ensure that only slow riders use the Kids, Novice and Family tracks. Riders caught speeding in the pits will have their event stickers removed. Riders can still ride, but will have to purchase another ride sticker for $20 or $40. Riders caught riding with major speed or doing a wheelie in the pits or anything else that poses a danger to other riders will be escorted out of the event. Please note that this applies to kids as well so Parents please brief your children. I personally will be working with the security guard to monitor bad behaviour.

Leatt Four hour. Entries are cranking in so make sure you make the cut. Last year we had 350 riders and there will be a limit of 400 riders this year. Super hero Chris Birch has entered along with about 5 other very strong teams and individuals. You can enter on line right now at http://www.epicevents.co.nz/ then click on the Taupo four hour. Even if you are not racing, come along and check out the event as a spectator. There will be a grass track prior to and after the pits so there will be heaps of action close by.

Suzuki Pumice Blast. I am happy to tell you that this event is 100% confirmed for 11-12 September. I applied for the land access permits in December 2009 and now 9 months later, I can confirm access to the Waimihia forest. The grass base will be different to the base used in 2008 and 2009 and will be further up the Napier road closer to the Suzuki Berm Buster base. The grass paddock base will include heaps of room for parking as well as kids grass track etc.

Pumice Blast is a really fun 2 day ride. The forest extends from the Napier Taupo road almost down to Lake Taupo and includes some fun twisty trails, open road section and of course some challenging Expert sections. We always get around 700 riders per day for some great socializing and atmosphere.

Suzuki ATV Freeride: All you quad riders, look out for news on this FREE event from Suzuki. Hatched in 2009, the ATV Freeride provides a chance for ATV's to strut their stuff well clear of 2 wheeled machines.

Calendar:

August	8	Suzuki Trail Blazer	Taupo	Te Toke Rd, South
August	21	Suzuki 4 hour	Taupo	Tauhara forest
September	11-12	Suzuki Pumice Blast	Taupo	Waimihia Forest, SH5, Napier Taupo Road
October	10	Suzuki Trail Blazer	Taupo	SH5, North
October	30	NZO Whirinaki Quest	Minginui	Whirinaki Forest Park
November	13-14	2 day trail ride	tbc	tbc
January	15-16	Suzuki Desert Storm	Ohakune	Mt Ruapehu

Epic Events Trail News #11

22 July 2010

From Nick Reader

It seems you riders are fans of the possum trail that we inserted into the Suzuki Trail Blazer 2 day ride. We even labeled one trail ‘Extreme’ which is the most difficult that a trail can be at an epic event. It had a fairly tricky steep descent over some tree roots before dropping onto the road. I saw a mixed range of rider enter this section, but they all got through OK at varying pace.

The new long hill climb up to View Hill proved popular, but rain at mid day meant we had to close this section. There is a 100 metre section of volcanic clay type soil that is slippery when wet and it mucks up the whole hill – we will work on a track alternative to this for next month.

As always the 2 day Suzuki Trail Blazer was one of the most popular trail rides of the year with over 700 riders attending each day. Great to see heaps of learners, family groups and females out on the trail… good on ya.

Now picture me on a soap box (funny saying that). Myself, the Epic Events staff and a lot of customers are pretty angry at the increasing amount of you riders who are speeding in the pits. Last Sunday was the worst amount of speeding I have seen at a trail ride in 10 years. Speeding is dumb, dangerous and unacceptable. We will have a person patrolling the pit speed at the next event with the following consequences; 2 hours off the bike (padlock and chain), sent home, ban for the next event, one year ban or life ban. Can you believe some total idiot did a MX style race start right in front of the marquee?? You have been warned!!

While I am pointing out bad behaviour. Rubbish. Don’t litter and this includes the paper backing off the back of the event registration sticker and the small round piece of plastic underneath the cap of a drink bottle. Sort it out.

Ride the correct trail and respect others. One poor small girl riding the novice kids grass track had a rider collide with her and ride up her back causing injury. We have 7 different tracks ranging from 100 metre long novice kids track through to 40km. Surely you riders can find an appropriate track and also if passing others, do it safely. This is trail riding, NOT MX and not Cross country Racing. Sort it out.

And thanks heaps to the 90% of you that follow the rules. Remember all of the rules are created to keep everyone safe and that is our highest priority.

Now lets get back to the positive stuff because there is heaps of that…

Next event

Sunday 8 August Suzuki Trail Blazer Te Toke Road, South side of SH5. We have bulldozed and groomed the trails to get them in top shape for the ride that is just over 2 weeks away. We will try to open up even more Expert trail to provide even more challenge. The trail system will have quite a shake up with the addition of the new family trail which will be at least 5km long.

New Family trail

I got out for a ride last Saturday and saw a lot of families and novices out on the main trails. That is cool, but we do want to offer slower riders a track of their own. We have always had the Novice trail, but feel we need a longer trail reserved for families and slow riding. So from now on we will endeavor to make a Family trail at the events where there is enough space to do so. This starts with the next Trail Blazer 8 August. Fast riders will still have the 2 main trails including the Long (40km) and Middle (10km).

New addition to the Epic Staff

I told you about our new staff member Brett Hilton a few months ago. Well Brett is doing a great job bulldozing and creating cool trails, but he needs some help. So after 10 years of hiring dozers, I finally bought (well OK the bank helped a lot) a beautiful little Komatsu D31 bulldozer to make and groom trails. So we will now put even more effort into creating new trails and grading old tracks into tip top shape.

Calendar

We are only hours away from announcing the full details for the remaining rides for the rest of the year. Here is the plan at this stage. We just need to confirm the Pumice Blast parking venue and the November event.

Entries are open for the Leatt Four hour race and if competition is your thing, then this is the Epic race to do.

August	8	Suzuki Trail Blazer	Motorcycle trail ride	Taupo	Te Toke Rd, South.
August	21	Leatt 4 hour	Motorcycle race	Taupo	Tauhara Forest
September	11-12	Suzuki Pumice Blast (tbc)	Motorcycle trail ride	Taupo	Waimihia Forest
October	10	Suzuki Trail Blazer	Motorcycle trail ride	Taupo	SH5, North
October	30	NZO Whirinaki Quest	Mountain Bike race	Minginui	Whirinaki Forest Park
November	14	1 or 2 day ride	Motorcycle trail ride	Taupo
January	16-17	Suzuki Desert Storm	Motorcycle trail ride	Ohakune	Mt Ruapehu

Regards, Nick and the Epic Events team.

NEWS 6 MAY 2010: Someone stole Chris Powers CRF 450. Keep an eye out for a specialty bike with lots of bling. Contact us if you are suspicious of anyone?

NEWS 5 MAY 2010: Rory Meade is taking on more World Extreme Enduros - read more here.

NEWS 3 FEBRUARY 2010: Rocks, sand, hard-packed soil, tree roots, cliff faces, river crossings, rain, mud … it matters not one bit to Auckland's Chris Birch. The Kiwi international will find traction everywhere and Birch and his new Continental GS off-road tyres found all the grip and drive he needed, and then some, on his way to bagging two major wins at the weekend. Read full press release here.

NEWS 23 December 2009: Suzuki have a very exciting new model on the market - The RMX 450. I have had a ride on this bike and can tell you it that it is heaps of fun. With very smooth power and supple suspension, it will be fantastic for Epic Events trail rides and races. Click here to view pdf of the brand new RMX450Z enduro bike.

NEWS 4 DEC 2010: We also have a brand new trail ride pass for sale which will save you heaps in 2010.

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