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Codgers Mountain Bike Park with Kids

by Annette | Feb 22, 2018 | get Inspired

When we make the effort and take the time to go for a ride with kids, we want it to be an enjoyable experience. To have a ‘great day’ on the bike with kids there are simple things to think about, plan and do.

In this story we are riding in the – Codgers Mountain Bike Park (Nelson) on some of the beginner to intermediate tracks with Rhea 12yrs old – mountain bikes occasionally, Isaac 9yrs old – mountain bikes occasionally and Roman 9yrs old – first time mountain biking.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

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Where is it? What is there?

Located 1km from central Nelson up the Brook Valley on Brook Street. Just look out for the map board and the wide trail start of the Dun Mountain track.

Parking can be found further up Brook Street, by turning left into Tantragee Road, next to Riding for the Disabled where Nelson City Council has developed a car parking area with toilets and bike washing/repair station.

Codgers Mountain Bike Park is run by Nelson Mountain Bike Club in partnership with Nelson City Council. The lower beginner and family friendly tracks do not require a permit to ride in but be aware that other areas require you to be a member of the club (HotBox/Smasher/Lollipop/Turners/Fringed Hill Rd).

If you need to hire bikes see Trail Journeys in the Millers Acre Centre, 37-39 Halifax Street…or Torpedo 7 on the corner of Rutherford & Bridge Street….or if you would like to be guided see Gravity Nelson.

The ride – is it doable for you?

This park has something for everyone. It is a matter of working out what will work best for your family. For first time riders the layout of the bike can be confusing so find a map and study it before you go.

Biking Distance? The length of this ride is entirely at your discretion you have an extensive network of tracks spread out over 3 hillsides. These tracks range from grade 2, easy, to grade 5, advanced, but if your kids don’t mountain bike as a sport they will be restricted to the easy to moderate tracks at the beginning of the park.

Biking Surface/Biking Skills required/Level of biking fitness: Once you leave the main trail (Dun Mountain Trail) basic mountain biking skills will be needed but again the easiest tracks are well designed for beginners. Just be aware that the tracks will be narrower, have more challenging undulations, climbing sections and tighter corners so ideally your kids should be riding a bike with gears. The biking surface of the suggested route to follow is mainly compact clay/dirt with a few gravel sections to contend with. This park has no flat beginner loop or section. To get to any trails you must climb on a steady ascent for 10/15mins.

Can you ride with Kids Attached? This is a ride that you can enjoy with kids being towed or attached to your bike.

Some additional support may help get the kids riding in Codgers Mountain Bike Park.

- For independent riders : The Tow Whee Tow Rope may help assist getting them up a hill, or keeping up with older siblings.
- Attached to your bike: The Shotgun offers you the ability to enjoy the mountain biking park with your younger kids. You will need to ride to your ability making sure you are keeping them safe.

Climbing the main trail - Dun Mountain Track. Codgers Mountain Bike Park with kids

Compacted, groomed, wide climbing trail – Dun Mountain Track.

Some Trails that our group enjoyed.

For younger and/or beginner riders:

Either from the Brook Street entrance or the Carpark, The Dun Mountain Trail, gives you access to the park & beyond. It is a wide, smooth continuous climb for approximately 10mins – a perfect introduction to off road climbing on a bike. No kid likes to climb so you may need to stop for several morale/water breaks along the way.

You are looking for Tasman Journeys, the first track on your left that is sign posted and not a track exit (be sure not to start climbing up a track that is designed to be ridden down, & note, if you do this loop you will be coming down one of these). Tasman Journeys is a switchback (tight cornering) climbing track that takes you up to a height of 426m. This section is the most challenging of your climbing. All 3 kids I had with me on the day had to stop and rest (and complain). The second time they climbed it with grins and enthusiasm – great what a bit of adrenalin and down hill speed can give you.

About 10mins into your climb on Tasman Journeys you need to look out for the left turn into Crazy Horse.

Crazy Horse is a purpose built 672m of descending track with wide sweeping corners. This is a great way to teach people new to mountain biking about cornering. It is rated an intermediate track because you need to maintain control through lots of turns. Wide corners are made to ride wide or through the outside of the bend. So try to teach the kids this, to keep them out of the inside of the corners where the gravel and stones tend to fall to.

The track ends on the Dun Mountain track you have just climbed up – so now it’s decision time because if you cross the track Lower Crazy Horse carries on down to the very bottom of the hill (more of the same with some fun little flowing sections). However, you can choose to climb 50m up Dun Mountain track and you will be at Tasman Journeys again.

If they are enjoying themselves and have more energy you can continue through the park on the Dun Mountain Track to Tu Meke a 745m rolling, flowing little gem of a track. This was the favourite part of our ride for all the kids. If you do choose to do this you will hopefully have some smiling excited kids, talking about what fun that ride was… 15 to 20 more minutes depending on how often you stop and how fast you are climbing up the hill.

For intermediate riders:

There are just so many options! Climb into the park on Tasman Journeys and when you hit the 4WD road you can turn left and head towards P52 (fun flowing downhill track). Turning right you continue to climb to a skid site where your options are Firball, Hulk & Hogan, Turners (leading to a jump track down into Maitai Valley)… and more. Basically you need to come and give them a go and find your favourites.

Wide open areas with moderate inclines to climb. Codgers Mountain Bike Park with kids

Climbing on the Dun Mountain Track

Ride wide. Crazy Horse. Codgers Mountain Bike Park. goRide

Kids enjoying riding trails to match their level

Codgers Mountain Bike Park - signage. goRide

Sign posts found throughout Codgers Mountain Bike Bike explaining trails

Be safe and comfortable when riding in Codgers Mountain Bike Park.

How far you are venturing away from your base will determine the amount of gear you need to carry. As the riding network is quite extensive it is good to be prepared so you can manage any situation. Whether that be an injury, energy or water requirements. Also the option of layers to ensure everyone is riding at a comfortable temperature.

Gear List for Day Riding

Mountain Biking - Am I Safe to goRide?

Carrying Gear - Mountain Biking

Enjoy the experience and have fun

Some things to look out for on the

The options with the loops we have talked about are great. We know kids (pre-teens/teens) that spend their entire afternoon doing loops of Crazy Horse – going faster, lining up jumps, generally just playing around.
If you are making a day of it in Nelson, right at the end of Brook Street is the Waimarama Brook Sanctuary
Let the kids lead the way. Let them find the tracks and work out what signs and names they should look for along the way. The signs in this mountain bike park are well done so are perfect for those new to map reading.
If you get high enough there are some great views over Nelson City out to Tasman Bay to enjoy

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The goRide team’s ‘great’ mountain biking adventure on the Heaphy Track

by Jo | Dec 12, 2017 | get Inspired

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][vc_column_text]We did it! – A biking group of 4 adults rode the Heaphy Track over 2 days and 1 night with a SMILE. 78km of fabulous back country trail.

Reading stories about cycling adventures helps to

connect you to other women who ride and makes you think about what you and/or your family could achieve. Its that little piece of advice, or that must do, or must stay, that helps with the planning and preparation and helps make your adventure successful and special.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][themeone_spacer height=”18px”][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][vc_btn title=”Shop Women and Family Biking Solutions” style=”flat” color=”warning” size=”lg” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fgoride-debugclone.mystagingwebsite.com%2Fshop-goride%2F||target:%20_blank|”][themeone_spacer height=”18px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][vc_column_text]Read the details about our planning and preparation of a successful multi-day mountain biking adventure on the Heaphy Track. Want to know more about how to have a ‘great’ multi-day mountain biking adventure then read our GUIDE.

WOW! They talk about the diversity of the Heaphy Track from rainforest to flat lands, from mountains to coastal, and your exposure to that diversity is heightened because on the bike you move through those changes so quickly. The track was wonderfully rideable with few places requiring you to get off and walk. The hut facilities are great and DOC has done a great job taking the mountain biker into consideration.[/vc_column_text][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Day One – Tips and Tales

Browns River Hut through to James Mackay Hut = 38.8 km

With a longish day ahead it was important that we got an early start. We stayed with friends in Bainham (thanks for your hospitality Barbara and Simon – 30km away from the Heaphy) so a quick drive and we were into securing gear to our bikes at about 7:30am (while we did the sandfly slap dance). If you are staying at Browns Hut before starting the track … note you are sharing this space with the sandflies.

The ride up to Perry Saddle 17.5km is a sustained up hill climb. It is a good gradient for riding. The track is very rocky and a lot of power and strength was needed a number of times to get your front wheel up and over stones and rocks. The rocky terrain required a lot of negotiating of obstacles and focus on your chosen riding line. We stopped for food and water at the Aorere Saddle before heading to Perry Hut saddle. We were pleasantly surprised to find the high point of 915m Flanagans Corner (if time allows walk the sidetrack to the lookout) a couple of km before Perry Saddle Hut… so our sustained climbing was done for the day. Lunch at Perry Hut saddle…yum. It was then time to enjoy the tussock lands as we biked through the tops on our way to James Mackay Hut. From enjoying stunning weather over lunch it wasn’t too long before we hit some rain which continued through to the hut.[/vc_column_text][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13503″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Bags packed and secured to our bikes ready to start[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13505″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]The rocky terrain on the way to Perry Saddle Hut[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13507″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Still climbing[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13510″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Flangans Corner the highest point on the track. All down hill form here! In theory.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13512″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Had lunched at Perry Saddle ready to enjoy the next part of the track[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13513″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Riding through the tussocklands of Gouland Downs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13515″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Just spotted Blue Ducks (only found in NZ) …so cool![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13518″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]A reminder that we are in the back country and on the Heaphy. From starting the day in gorgeous sun shine to finishing the day in rain.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Day Two – Tips and Tales

James MacKay to Kohaihai River mouth (track end) = 39.2km

Being all early risers we were the first from the hut to hit the trail. Although we started the day in low cloud it wasn’t long until the cloud lifted and we were blessed with a great day. This day was about heading down to the coast and then along the coast to track end. The track is a fun descent with lots of corners and a few rocky creeks to negotiate, along with swing and suspension bridges to cross. In fact one of them is the longest in the world. The rocky creeks contributed to a puncture but the new fantastic hand pump that I had recently purchased meant I could change the tire without any hassle. The beech forest turns into stunning Nikau palm groves and the ride along the rugged West Coast coastline to finish, just cements the diversity of the track.[/vc_column_text][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13516″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Up early in the hut and all ready to enjoy Day 2.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13519″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]The stunning Nikau Palms[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13520″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]The longest Swing Bridge[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13522″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Outside the stunning Heaphy Hut[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13523″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Heading away from the Heaphy across the vast lawn enjoying the vista from the hut.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13524″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]The rugged West Coast coastline[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13525″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]West Coast beaches[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”13526″ img_size=”400 x 400″][vc_column_text]Scotts beach just before track end[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][themeone_spacer height=”41px”][vc_column_text]Here are some other factors that made this bike adventure a success;

We were blessed with warm good weather. We did have rain but the timing of it at the end of day one meant its impact was less.
Starting early each day meant we could enjoy the journey and not feel any need for rushing
We had good balanced set ups for carrying gear on our bikes. We did learn some things. Jo was carrying a pot in a dry bag on her Thule carrier and because it was a hard structure it was challenging to get enough tension on the tie down to stop it from falling off. The solution was shorter tie downs – but a few of them.
If you are wearing 3/4 pants then having long socks that you can pull up makes for an easy quick solution to the sand flies.
We were well prepared for the weather and had planned food well

It is definitely a track that we would all go back and enjoy. Now that we have ticked the box on completing the Heaphy Track we might tackle the track a little differently to minimise the logistic challenges of the start and finish point.

Nic is keen to find someone who needs a car relocated to Karamea end and ride it in a day.
Jo is keen to get a little fitter and ride through to Heaphy Hut day one and enjoy the setting of the hut before returning back to the Collingwood end the next day.
Annette thinks that a three day 2 night adventure would be great. Riding the complete track in both directions. Spending 2 nights at James MacKay.
- Day 1 – Ride up to James MacKay Hut
- Day 2 – Ride down to the West Coast and back to James MacKay (you would carry less gear as you could leave some gear at the hut)
- Day 3 – Ride back to Collingwood end and your car

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get Inspired and goRide – The goRide team’s ‘great’ mountain biking adventure on the Heaphy Track

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Thanks for reading. Used together our stories, resources & products support you to achieve and develop as a rider.

Related Resources:

Planning and Preparation to bike the Heaphy Track

Guide – How to have a great multi-day mountain biking adventure

goRide Sharing – The Heaphy Track

goRide helps you find your riding SMILE. Now it’s your turn….Contact goRide. Your thoughts, comments or feedback will make us SMILE.

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Other resources to help make you SMILE when you goRide

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Biking the Heaphy Track.

by Jo | Dec 12, 2017 | get Inspired

Enjoy this story of 4 adults biking the Heaphy Track over 2 days

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

Ride more places

When we make the effort and take the time to go on a biking adventure, we want it to be an enjoyable experience. To help plan your adventure read about goRide’s experience riding the 78km Heaphy Track, November 2017. The Heaphy Track is part of the Department of Conservations (DoC)- Great Walks and is located in the Kahurangi National Park.From May 1st through to November 30th the track is also open to Mountain bikers…and becomes a Great Ride. Check out this link to DOC for details on Mountain Biking the Heaphy Track.

Where is it ?

To ride the Heaphy Track you can start the track either from Brown Hut in Golden Bay (156 km from Nelson) or from Kohaihai on the West Coast (110 km from Westport). It’s not a circuit track. The start and finish is geographically at very distant points when traveling by road. Due to this there needs to be some thoughtful planning and preparation to allow you to complete the whole track. Don’t be put off though, there are many support services. However some of these services are not available during the ‘off season’ – when you are allowed to mountain bike the trail.

What are your options?

Independent – Organise 2 parties to do the trip at the same time. One starting at each end of the track. Drive to the start and swap keys on the track so both parties will have a car waiting at the carpark when they complete the ride (we were fortunate enough to have organised this option). Meet at a common point to switch cars back or drive the other groups car on your first day starting the track.
Car transfer options – There are some companies that will transfer your car to the end of the track, for a fee, while you bike it. Trek Express, Heaphy Track Help
Flight options – Small airports are located near Takaka and Karamea so you can choose to fly to the start or back from the finish. Companies offering these services also offer transportation to the start or pick up from the end of the track to the airports.
Bus options – the bus companies are generally running on their ‘off peak schedule’ during mountain biking season so check availability before you plan any further.

You can find a comprehensive list of support service options on the Heaphy Track website

If completing the whole track is not an option because of the geographical locations of the start and finish consider starting and finishing at the same end. It still makes for a great trip. Also there is the option of biking all the way to the end and back again, turning your adventure into 156km.

The ride and is it doable for you?

The Heaphy Track is 78.4km. It is suggested that you either complete this over a 2 or 3 day journey.

We have chosen to do it over a 2 day journey. With multiple hut options along the track this could easily be ridden over 3 days. Remember you need to carry your own food, so the longer it takes you the more food you will need. Check out the facilities at the huts so you know what you need to carry.

DAY ONE – Browns River Hut through to James Mackay Hut = 38.8 km– is it doable?

Brown River to Aorere Shelter – 10.5 km – Check out details here.

Aorere Shelter to Perry Saddle Hut – 4.5 km – Check out details here

Perry Saddle Hut to Gouland Downs Hut – 7 km – Check out details here

Gouland Downs Hut to Saxon Hut – 5 km – Check out details here

Saxon Hut to James MacKay Hut – 11.8 km – Check out details here

The ride up to Perry Saddle 17.5km is a sustained up hill climb. It is a good gradient for riding. The track is very rocky and a lot of power and strength was needed a number of times to get your front wheel up and over stones and rocks. The rocky terrain required a lot of negotiating of obstacles and focus on your chosen riding line. We stopped for food and water at the Aorere Saddle before heading to Perry Hut saddle. We were pleasantly surprised to find the high point of 915m Flanagans Corner (if time allows walk the sidetrack to the lookout) a couple of km before Perry Saddle Hut… so our sustained climbing was done for the day. Lunch at Perry Hut saddle…yum. It was then time to enjoy the tussock lands as we biked through the tops on our way to James Mackay Hut. From enjoying stunning weather over lunch it wasn’t too long before we hit some rain which continued through to the hut.

Accommodation – James Mackay Hut

We are staying roughly at the half way point – James Mackay Hut. This is a cosy and comfortable hut, the newest on the Heaphy Track built in 2014. Facilities include double-glazed windows, solar lighting, wood stove, gas-cooking facilities, toilets, fresh water, bunk beds and mattresses – is it doable, can you carry what you need to take?

Heaphy-trackday-one-uphill-rocky-terrain-goRide

Heaphy-tracknearing-Perry-Saddle-hut-gpRide

DAY TWO – James MacKay to track end – 39.6km

James MacKay to Lewis Hut – 12.5 km –Check out details here

Lewis Hut to Heaphy Hut – 8km – Check out details here

Heaphy Hut to Katipo Creek Shelter – 7.1 km – Check out details here

Katipo Shelter to Scotts Beach – 5.3 km –Check out details here

Scotts Beach to Ko haihai (track end) – 3 km – Check out details here

If choosing to do it as a 3 day/ 2 night ride consider these options;

Stay Perry Saddle and James Mackay or stay Perry Saddle and Heaphy or stay Saxon and Heaphy.

Being all early risers we were the first from the hut to hit the trail. Although we started the day in low cloud it wasn’t long until the cloud lifted and we were blessed with a great day. This day was about heading down to the coast and then along the coast to track end. The track is a fun descent with lots of corners and a few rocky creeks to negotiate, along with swing and suspension bridges to cross. In fact one of them is the longest in the world. The rocky creeks contributed to a puncture but the new fantastic hand pump that I had recently purchased meant I could change the tire without any hassle. The beech forest turns into stunning Nikau palm groves and the ride along the rugged West Coast coastline to finish, just cements the diversity of the track.

Heaphy-track-start-of-day-2-swing-bridge--gpRide

Heaphy-track-start-of-day-2-homebound--gpRide

What skills will you need to do this ride? This track is graded as an intermediate 3 plus track and in a few places, advanced grade 4 track. he track is ride able most of the way. There are small sections that may require you to push your bike but they are only for very short distances. The track does have many obstacles and is often quite rocky, there are creeks and tight corners to negogiate. You need to be comfortable biking over rocks up and down hills, and negoiating obstacles to enjoy riding this track. Is it doable?

What level of fitness will you need to do this ride? You will need moderate to advanced levels of fitness. Whatever direction you start in you will have a sustained uphill section that is a good ride able gradient. When you are on the tops (the flat lands) there is also short up and downhill sections to negotiate. Consider the distances you are travelling and how long that will take you each day. Make sure you have ridden for that length of time with some load prior to riding the Heaphy – Is it doable?

How could the weather effect the success of your journey? Expect the weather to play a part in your biking journey when you ride the Heaphy Track. You are on the West Coast of New Zealand and thus likely to expereince rain and you are in the backcountry so you need to be prepared for all types of weather – Is it doable?

What to consider to feel comfortable and safe when riding the Heapy Track

Gear List for Multiday Mountain Biking

Carrying Gear Multiday Back Country Riding

Mountain Biking - Am I Safe to goRide?

Our comfort and safety tips for the Heaphy

The Heaphy Track is a back counrty track so you need to be prepared for all types of weather conditions. You are likely to encounter wet and cold conditions at any time of the year.
You are going to be riding on undulating terrain with many obstacles, so mountain bikes are ideal. Our group had three full suspension mountain bikes and one with front suspension only.
You will be on the bike for a number of hours each day, for consecutive days. The surface is bumpy, being comfortable on the bike is a MUST. Make sure you are comfortable on your bike seat, at your handlebars and on the pedals.

Gear set up – Jo

Thule Carrier with rear dry bag and tie downs – pot, food and spare clothes

Backpack and hydration reservoir (Camelbak low rider) – warm top, snacks, water

Frame bag – carrying tools and spare tubes

Handlebar bag with sleeping bag, lightweight food

Gear set up – Annette

Thule Carrier with rear dry bag and tie downs – clothes and food

Backpack (Camelbak low rider) – warm top, snacks

Drink bottle cage – drink bottle carrying water

Seat tool bag – carrying tools/tube and second spare tube taped to the frame

Dry bag – tie downs used to attach to handlebars – sleeping bag, jacket.

Enjoy the experience and have fun

Riding the Heaphy and experiencing its diversity is the fun. The highlight would be sharing that experience with others. Riding through luxuriant rainforest; sub-alpine tussock grasslands; high, rugged mountains; across swing and suspension bridges and along lowland forest and palm-fringed surf beaches. Remember to stop and take the time to enjoy the experience.

Kohaihai River a great swimming spot if finishing at the Karamea end. For a swimming spot at the Collingwood end try The Salisbury Bridge. Neither is probably particularly warm at the time of year you will be riding but a great way to finish the ride and make the trip home a little more pleasant.

There are some great food and drink options in Takaka – Check out the main street and then there is always the The Mussel Inn between Takaka and Collingwood.