Desert Storm
NEXT DESERT STORM - 26 - 27 MAY 2012
DESCRIPTION
The classic NZ 2 day trail ride in the foothills of Mount Ruapehu. Featuring 130km of trail, camping, catering and evening entertainment. Trails include forestry, creeks, drops offs, hills climbs and firebreaks. Plus optional Expert Only single track challenge trails. This is the biggest epic event and attracts around 1000 riders per day. Back to it's original winter date Desert Storm 2012 is set to be a ripper!
PHOTOS
Click here to view full photo gallery
NEWS
Epic Trail News 2011 # 26
Suzuki Desert Storm Delivers Again
Suzuki Desert Storm held on the 8-9 October 2011 proved to be as popular as ever delivering 1000 trail riders over 130km of trail, motorcycle games, evening entertainment of Sumo Wrestling and over sized boxing with a bit of rugby viewing on the side.
The highlights of the weekend included gaining spectacular views of the moutain from high on the top part of the trails, the Expert Only sections which where likened to Erzeberg overseas, creek crossings which most trail rides don't have and having to do the hard yards in places which were affected by the weather and of course hanging out in a special place with friends and family doing the thing you love most - riding your bikes.
Suzuki Desert Storm is one of those must do events on the motorcycle calendar and typically has the majority of riders camping at a paddock base beside the Karioi Forest near on the foothills of Mount Ruapehu. This was the first time in a number of years that the date had been moved back to October from January. This year there were a few less camping and opting to stay in Ohakune and from what I heard socialising and experiencing Ohakune nightlife to the full.
For those hardy enough to camp, they warmed up with the motorcyle games of high jump and enduro x, either watched the rugby in the designated Suzuki tent or choose to entertain or be entertained by their mates in inflatable sumo suits and with oversized boxing. The braziers and bonfires were then lit where the stories of the day unfolded and much like fishing they were a little bigger than reality.
As the fires went out from the event so has the long chapter of Nick Reader and his involvement in motorcycling. From racing, through to coaching, promoting motorcycling and directing Epic Events, Nick has done it all. He would like to acknowledge and thank his long time sponsor Suzuki for their support and to all the other sponsors, friends and family for their support.
This is not the end of Epic Events but a new chapter with new owners continuing where we have left off. Epic Events will focus on being specialists in motorcycling. A full calendar of Epic Events will be out next year... stay tuned.
NEWS
Epic Trail News 2011 # 25
Desert Storm Update
Monday 3 October 2011
When the marquee goes up on Wednesday and the workers and hire companies start arriving and the event starts to take shape, the hype and excitement starts to build at home with riders preparing themselves and their bikes for Suzuki Desert Storm.
Suzuki Desert Storm has a staff of just over 50 people including course marshalls, recovery drivers, base workers, secuirty, advanced paramedics to the friendly sign on staff.
The gathering of enthusiastic riders, awesome trails, food, entertainment and camping in a fantastic location has been the vision of Nick Reader who started the event 11 years ago. Nick was down riding the trails in the weekend and reminiscing on how the event has changed and grown over the years to evolve into it's current form. The trails used to be cut by hand and would take a huge number of hours, people and effort - to now being created with a D31 Bulldozer and finished off with a small crew of people.
I can remember very clearly the first time we drove around the forest and got out to walk around what is now the location of some very cool trails up by the Picnic Table and natural terrain motorcross sections and how Nick said that this would one day make a fantastic trail ride, how right he was.
Nick has been twice as busy this winter to ensure that the trails are to the high standard he has set and are run as safely as possible. Now 11 years later we have sold the business and Nick has a new job as the Taupo District Events Manager as well as being a trail ride guru for one last time.
I'd just like to take this opportunity to sneak in a big thumbs up to Nick for his contribution and dedication to motorcycling and to providing riders with what he always wanted a trail riding experience to be. What a cool way to finish with the event that started it all Desert Storm.
The new owners will take over at the end of the year with some more great ideas for riding and continuing with the Epic brand of great trails on great soil, equalling a great trail riding experience.
You never know you may see a rusty rider on a yellow bike thinking he is much faster and better than he really is riding beside you on the trails in the future!
Want to make your trail ride experince that much better? Suzuki make it easy with their selection of demo bikes available for you to try this weekend, including a RMX450 and possibly the RM-Z450L1 and RM-Z450L2 models.
With well over 800 riders entered and entries still rolling in for the ultimate trail riding experience on the 8-9 October this is a reminder that today is your last chance to order merchandise and food for Suzuki Desert Storm and to avoid paying a late penalty. From 10pm tonight until Wednesday 5 October online entries at www.epicevents.co.nz will remain open but will incur a late entry fee.
All entrants will receive an email on Thursday with all you need to know about this weekend.
And what are the chances that over 130km of trail would get watered before this weekend's trail ride with sunshine forecast for the weekend to make for perfect riding conditions? Well that's just what's happening this week along with all the other preparation for the 12th annual Suzuki Desert Storm 8-9 October (Thanks Mother Nature!).
Now all you have to do is your own prep... See you there!
The Epic Team
Epic Trail News 2011 # 24
The Gathering
Thursday 29 September 2011
Enthusiastic phone calls from Australians who make the annual pilgrimage, conversations with wives who have pressure from their husbands threatening divorce if their entry isn't in, mates wanting to get deals coming from Christchurch, the regulars who come from Kaitaia, there is no doubt that Suzuki Desert Storm is a gathering.
A gathering of like minded motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the place who share a passion for riding, a longing to escape work places and a craving to get into the outdoors and to be a part of the action.
While there is a gathering taking place at the base venue there is still plenty of opportunity to enjoy natures playground with riders well spaced and a variety of trails and terrain to suit all abilities.
There are just 5 days left (entries close Monday 3rd October) to pre-enter Suzuki Desert Storm 8-9 October. Entries will remain open until Wednesday 5th October however there will be a late fee applied and no pre-ordering of meals and merchandise taken. So make sure you are organised and have entered by Monday night. Enter online at www.epicevents.co.nz
I'll leave you with some pearls of wisdom from the MotoSR crew.
For those of you who may have new bikes, even 2012 bikes!! Or have not yet had a setup done by MotoSR or even returning costumers who just want a recheck for the weekend trails. We can do it all.
Remember we also now offer....
Epic Trail News 2011# 23
Thursday 22nd September 2011
Winter Trail Riding beside a Volcano
Winter riding in an exclusive forest, once a year beside a volcano, is exactly what you'll get when you come to Suzuki Desert Storm on the 8-9 October 2011. The terrain is quite different from riding anywhere else with a mixture of forest trails, desert style trails with sandy pumice soil, tussock grasses and some wide open spaces set amongst a majestic backdrop of Mount Ruapehu. Below are some images of the Epic crew enjoying what is on offer at Suzuki Desert Storm.
There are still patches of snow in the top part of the forest to make your winter trail riding experience that much more real.
Remember we have it all at Desert Storm; Free camping, hot showers, pre-ordered meals, motorcycle games, a TV zone, evening entertainment and a fantastic network of trails.
The trees have been trimmed, the trails groomed, marked and ready for action. All you have to do to enjoy this winter wonderland and the ultimate winter trail riding experience on the 8-9 October 2011 is enter online http://regonline.activeglobal.com/desertstormwinter2011 or visit www.epicevents.co.nz.
Please note this is the last trail ride for 2011 on the Epic Events calendar.
Thanks to all our sponsors: Suzuki, CameBak, Leatt, Acerbis, Spectro, MotoSR, Motomuck, DRD, FIX and The Powderhorn Chateau.
Accommodation: If you would prefer a slice of comfort and want to stay in Ohakune, the Powderhorn Chateau is offering a great rate and is in the heart of the action www.powderhorn.co.nz
Epic Trail News 2011 #22
You can have it all!
Wednesday 15th September 2011
Who says you can't have it all! Here at Epic Events we have decided that at Suzuki Desert Storm 8-9 October 2011 you can have it all. Here’s what we have on offer for you…
TV ZONE - We are having a designated marquee for watchingBathurst and the Rugby World Cup Quarter finals. So now you can ride those legendary trails and still keep tabs on what's happening across the Tasman and keep up to date on the Rugby World Cup action.
MOTORCYCLE GAMES - Yes we will still be holding the legendary motorcycle games including High Jump and Enduro X. You can enter these on the day or at least encourage your mates too. There are always great prizes up for grabs for the top 3 in each including a year’s supply of Red Bull.
ENTERTAINMENT ZONE - When the sun goes down the lights will go on in the main marquee with Sumo wrestling and oversized boxing. If you have ever thought that you'd love to fight against your mates without damaging yourselves or your friendship - this is for you. Guaranteed to be a great laugh, start to organise your opponents now.
FOOD - No need to cook when you can pre-order meals enabling you to ride all day and to chill out in the evening, without having to lift a finger in the kitchen.
FREE CAMPING WITH HOT SHOWERS - No need to leave the action behind for the day. We have a large venue base for camping including hot showers for use. You do not need to register to camp and are welcome to arrive anytime from 3pm Friday 7th October. If you would prefer to stay in Ohakune the Powderhorn Chateau is offering a great rate and is in the heart of Ohakune and the action www.powderhorn.co.nz (see ad below)
TRACKS - With over 130km of groomed forestry trails and a range of tracks to suit all abilities from Kids, Novice, Main trails through to expert only sections there is something for everyone. The trails are located in the Karioi Forest at the base of Mount Ruapehu and can include sub - alpine terrain, pine forest, the desert edge, natural terrain motocross tracks, fire brakes, loads of pumice soil and river crossings (with easy options).
So yes you can have it all at Suzuki Desert Storm 2011 (winter version). This is an annual event and is limited to pre-entry only. If you want to have the ultimate winter trail riding experience on the 8-9 October 2011 enter online http://regonline.activeglobal.com/desertstormwinter2011 or visit www.epicevents.co.nz.
Please note this is the last trail ride for 2011 on the Epic Events calendar.
Thanks to all our sponsors: Suzuki, CameBak, Leatt, Acerbis, Spectro, MotoSR, Motomuck, DRD, FIX and The Powderhorn Chateau.
ACCOMMODATION
POWDERHORN CHATEAU - OHAKUNE
Family owned and operated boutique hotel located in the stunningly beautiful Ruapehu district.
The Powderhorn Chateau is a fantastic retreat for all seasons, and for those travelling between Auckland and Wellington or visiting the central plateau it provides the perfect stop-over. As the closest accommodation to Mount Ruapehu’s Turoa ski field it is hard to match the Powderhorn Chateau for its location and facilities. Positioned on the corner of the Ohakune junction, it becomes a hive of activity during the winter season and a relaxing retreat during the summer months.
Our two restaurants, the Powderkeg and the Matterhorn, offer a high standard of dining, making use of local produce and a wide selection of quality New Zealand wines. The luxurious Matterhorn Restaurant and Bar offers intimate dining in sumptuous comfort and style. The Powderkeg Restaurant and Bar, or “The Keg” as it’s known locally, is one of the longest standing and best known venues in Ohakune; a favourite for après ski or for relaxing after a day in the outdoors.
The Powderhorn Chateau is offering Desert Storm riders a special deal of $199 nightly rate including cooked breakfast based on 2ppl sharing over a two night stay (Friday & Saturday).
CONTACT US
[T] +64 6 385 8888
[F] +64 6 385 8925
powderhorn "at" xtra.co.nz
PO Box 222, Ohakune, New Zealand
Located at the bottom of Mountain Road, Ohaukune.
