Trail Blazer
DESCRIPTION
Suzuki Trail Blazer is the North Island's most popular trail ride series and has been run since 2002 at varying venues within 20 minutes of Taupo. The Taupo based ride attracts around 600 riders who enjoy the big berms on the flowing graded trails, free draining soil, mega traction, great parking, awesome kids tracks, great hot food and espresso coffee.
2010 DATES
18 April - Te Toke Road - South of SH5 Taupo to Rotorua Rd.
13 June - Achilles Road - North of SH5 Taupo to Rotorua Rd.
POSTER
to be loaded
EVENT INFORMATION
Featuring: fast flowing trails over pumice terrain. Awesome berms and mega traction! 90% graded by bulldozer every month. All weather rideable. Also includes single track and EXPERT ONLY sections.
Directions: The forest is located on State Highway 5 (The Taupo to Rotorua Road), around 20 minutes drive from Taupo or 40 minutes from Rotorua. Look for Epic Events signs.
Tracks include kids grass, novice kids grass, kids forest, Novice (3km), Short (15km) and Long (40km).
Suitable for all abilities 2 and 4 wheelers.
Sign on from 9am. Tracks open 9:30am to 3pm.
Enter on the day by cash or cheque.
Fire extinguishers are compulsory for riders using the red arrowed tracks and can be bought on the day for $30. People on green marked tracks do not need extinguishers. Green tracks include kids grass and forest and novice tracks.
Food: Complimentary tea and coffee. Espresso Coffee, cold drinks, bacon and egg sandwiches, sausage sizzle available to purchase.
Accommodation: There is no camping on site. See http://www.laketauponz.com/
NEWS
Epic Event Motorcycle News
4 March 2010
Bumper trail ride season just around the corner
Epic Events is set to bring you a winter trail riding season jam packed with old favourites and new events.
We aim to continue to provide the best trail rides around and to push the bar even higher with better services at the base, new expert tracks, a better track surface and more single track.
So here is the plan for the first 3 rides of 2010;
18 April Trail Blazer Te Toke Rd, SH5, Taupo Rotorua Rd.
8-9 May Berm Buster SH5, Napier Road 25 minutes from Taupo
13 June Trail Blazer North of SH5, Taupo to Rotorua Rd.
Once we confirm 2 more land access permits we will confirm all events from July on.
The first Suzuki Trail Blazer takes place on Te Toke Road, off SH5 (Taupo to Rotorua Road). This will be a great ride because we bulldozed the tracks in the middle of June 2009. That was the last time we used this venue. So almost 10 months of settling time will mean firm, grassy, pine needle tracks and very little dust. We have our track crew going in to cut more single track this month to add to the variety.
Next up is 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.
Those of you who rode Suzuki Desert Storm will know that we are increasing the difficulty level of the Expert Sections these days. But as a guide the top 30-40% of riders at our events will be able to ride the Expert sections in the dry and if wet, maybe just the top 20%.
June sees the 2nd one day Trail Blazer held on the North side of SH5. This is the venue with the base close to a cow shed. This venue proved very popular and was used for the later half of last year for the Trail Blazers and Suzuki Free Rides.
After June we will alternate between a 1 and 2 day trail ride right through to November. Events will include more one day Trail Blazers, Pumice Blast, Trail Blazer 2 day plus a new 2 day trail ride with over 200km of trail!
The Taupo four hour exploded onto the race calendar in 2009. I finally gave in to the harassment from all my sweep riders asking me when I was going to hold a real race event. The first event exceeded my expectations and we look forward to more excitement when we run this event again in August.
Remember to make your trail riding experience as affordable as possible, check out the Epic Trail Passes either triple dip $99 or season pass $299.
Just for interest here are some Suzuki Desert Storm clips on youtube that you might like to view;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzwSMjQ_HTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScnrN-KJjo
And here is Suzuki ace Mark Penny log hopping at the Enduro X comp at Suzuki Desert Storm.
www.epicevents.co.nz will have all dates as they are confirmed.
PHOTOS
FEEDBACK
Just wanted to send you a big thank you for the awesome event on the weekend. My Daughter and I only stayed for the Saturday, but must say we really enjoyed the entire day.
The trails were perfect, the bacon and egg sandwiches were delicious and the atmosphere was just awesome. Thanks again for a wonderful day out.
Two of us come up from Lower Hutt for this ride. I thought the rides were well laid out, your staff were helpful. Well run and organised.
Just wanted to say THANKS for a totally awesome 2 days of riding. This was magic. One of the best trail rides I've ever done. Can't wait for the next ride.
Thanks for an awesome weekend.
Greetings Nick
Just got home from Taupo Trail Blazer and just wanted to say Thanks for a great ride
I am 56 years young and had a blast on my quad along with some younger 2 wheeler buddies we really enjoyed the flowing trails
straight flat out sections and the picturesque forest location.
looking forward to the next event I can get to
Thanks for a great trail on Sunday. Thanks for well marked trails and full safety considered.
Look forward to the next one
What another good day back at the forest. Tracks were fast and flowing as normal. Good to have some new
Bits included. Top effort all round.
To Nick & all at Epic Events, Just a note to say thanks for another awesome ride and fab start to the 2008 season, I look forward to the rest of the Trail blazer rides and cant wait for Berm buster again. The 3 & 1/2 hour drive to get there is worth every minute. Cheers guys, Chell. P.S. If you found a gear lever on the track it's probably mine.