More to explore as second Wanaka Trail Ride extends course for school fundraiser

WANAKA, New Zealand (31 March, 2016) – Motorbike trail riders have the opportunity to explore even more tracts of private high country farmland near Wanaka next month and help raise funds for two local schools.

Organisers of the second annual Wanaka Trail Ride that takes place on Sunday 24 April have announced that the loop for advanced riders has been extended by half as much again from last year’s inaugural course.

The advanced loop crosses Long Gully and Lindis Peaks Stations with views over Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea towards Mt Aspiring National Park. The terrain is not normally open to the public and organisers are keen to thank landowners, the Nyhon and Annan families for providing special access.

The event is a fundraiser for the Montessori Children’s House Wanaka pre-school and Wanaka Primary School. Parents from both schools formed a partnership in 2014 to pool resources and ensure all money raised from the ride would directly benefit local school children.

Nicolle Masters, Chair of the Wanaka Primary School Parents’ Forum, said the benefits of extending the course were two-fold.

“Word has been spreading around the dirtbike community after the first event and we’re expecting even greater numbers. We wanted to give riders who entered last year some new territory to explore and at the same time take some of the pressure off the terrain that younger and intermediate riders can enjoy,” she said.

“We’ve been working closely with the landowners and farm managers of the farms that the trail ride crosses to create a really varied and exciting extension of the loop that should keep experienced riders very happy!”

In another new development, one dollar from each entry received this year will be donated to the Upper Clutha RSA’s poppy appeal in recognition of the fact that the event takes place on the Sunday before ANZAC Day.

The inaugural Wanaka Trail Ride in April 2015 attracted more than 500 dirtbike enthusiasts from around New Zealand and raised around $20,000 for the two schools.

This year there will again be family, intermediate and advanced loops plus a ‘pee wee’ track for junior riders just starting out in the sport.

With places limited, organisers strongly encourage anyone interested in taking part to pre-register before Wednesday 20 April via the event website www.wanakatrailride.org Pre-registration also comes at a discounted rate of $45 adults and $65 family (two adults with up to three children aged 16 and younger). On the day entries cost $50 and $70 respectively which must be paid in cash.

All tracks start from a base paddock off Jolly Road. There will be signs directing entrants to the event from Tarras and the Red Bridge at Luggate. Registration takes place from 7.30am with a rider safety briefing at 8.20am and the track opening at 8.30am. Coffee will be available at the start from 8.00am. Riders can begin loops up until 4.00pm.

The ‘pee wee’ track is open from 11.00am to 3.00pm and all riders on this track must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Riders need to have the following items with them: approved safety helmet, spark arrester (compulsory and available for purchase at sign-in), clothing for all weather conditions, sturdy boots (motorbike boots preferred), extra fuel, water bottle and fire extinguisher (optional).

Anyone wanting more information should visit www.wanakatrailride.org.

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