Track SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring a segment of the River Trail?
The sponsorship for each section cost $300 or in the form of useful goods/services for track maintenance to that approximate value. Sponsorship of the section lasts 3 years with your business having the first right of continuing your sponsorship after this time. In return the club will advertise your logo on a 150x150mm sign at the entrance to the track, on all our trails maps (at the track and local bike shops) and our website. (See map at bottom of page for track sections.) If you are able to assist, please make contact directly with James Reid or email the club midcanterburymtbclub@gmail.com |
Track Crew & Dig DaysWant to help out our track crew? Email us your phone number or text James Reid 027 480 0879 to be added to our "track crew" text list - you'll be sent a text when we have a dig day or need some help at short notice.
Any damage or fallen obstacles can also be reported to James. |
Track Maps
There are three tracks and a skills area accessible from a range of streets in the Ashburton township. Tracks suit a range of skills, see details below for more information. Please note that the maps are a guide only, all trails are well sign posted. Our tracks are also on Trailforks
River Trail Mountain Bike Track
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Distance: Approx 8km loop
Skill: Easy to intermediate - the faster you go the more skill you need! Suitable for kids that have excellent brake control and can stand up on the pedals to coast over bumps and down slopes. Description: This purpose built mountain bike track weaves through trees along the banks of the Ashburton River and contains numerous berms, undulations, boardwalks, and one hill (with the choice of a hard or an easy descent). The surface ranges from hard packed single track, stony and gravel sections and a couple of short 4WD tracks. There is also an optional obstacle course section that runs parallel to the main track with big rocks, boardwalks, roots and a seesaw. The trail also loops around the skills area that contains the pump track and jump lines. NOTE: this track is directional, please follow the signs to make sure you are riding in the correct direction. This track is used for the clubs 6 hour race. Access: The trail begins at the carpark on the North West side of the Ashburton River Bridge. Access to this carpark is off SH1 but this can be difficult to get into due to the traffic lights. Parking is also available at the SW end of the bridge or opposite Smith City next to the railway line. The track can also be accessed via Melrose Street (western end), the skills area off Dobson Street West or from the Hakatere track (see below). |
Skills Area - Pump track & Jump Lines
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Description: The MTB Skills Area contains a dual pump track and jump lines. The River Trail MTB track loops around through the skills area. This area is an initiative of the Mid Canterbury MTB Club and was built with funds from the club and the Lions Foundation in 2017.
Access: The area is located on Dobson Street West, next to the ACL yard. There is ample carparking. The area can also be accessed off the River Trail MTB track. |
Lake Hood Track
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Distance: 7.4 km to top of lake, 7km around lake
Skill: Easy. Suitable for kids. Description: The trail is a wide shingled track that passes through plantation areas along the banks of the Ashburton River, with a sloping gradient down to the lake. The trail can be traversed in either direction. This is a shared use track, please consider other users. Access: The track begins on the south east side of the Ashburton River bridge and can be accessed from the carpark on the south west side of the bridge (follow the track down under the bridge to get to the track). Or alternatively there is an entrance way through the fence, off the footpath on the South East side of SH1. There are also a couple of roads that lead down to the river (Wilkins and Boundary Rd) and these can also be used to access the track. |
Hakatere Trail
Distance: 19 km to the sea
Skill: Easy. Sections suitable for kids.
Description: The trail is a shingle track that passes through trees and farmland along the banks of the Ashburton River, with a sloping gradient down to the sea (apart from a steep climb at the end to get to the top of the terrace). There are several side roads that cross the track leading down to the river which allow sections of the trail to be ridden individually. The trail can be traversed in either direction.
This is a shared use track, please consider other users.
Access: The trail begins at the carpark on the North West side of the Ashburton River Bridge. Access to this carpark is off SH1. Or alternatively there are a number of side roads that lead onto the track.
Skill: Easy. Sections suitable for kids.
Description: The trail is a shingle track that passes through trees and farmland along the banks of the Ashburton River, with a sloping gradient down to the sea (apart from a steep climb at the end to get to the top of the terrace). There are several side roads that cross the track leading down to the river which allow sections of the trail to be ridden individually. The trail can be traversed in either direction.
This is a shared use track, please consider other users.
Access: The trail begins at the carpark on the North West side of the Ashburton River Bridge. Access to this carpark is off SH1. Or alternatively there are a number of side roads that lead onto the track.
Chocolate Fish Race Circuit
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Distance: Approx 10km
Course Description: The chocolate fish race circuit is used regularly by the club for evening and weekend races. It follows the same course as the river trial but has an extra 2 km loop at the start which is on the north east side of the bridge. The race begins at the picnic area on the north east side of the Ashburton bridge and heads east into the section of track next to the dog park called Doggie Style. Riders follow this track and then take a slight left up onto the stockbank and through to Chalmers Ave by the Mani-o-roto Scout den. Riders turn right and follow the original track back along the river to the picnic area and through under the river bridges to Riverside. The course follows the one way track through The Bender, over the Boardwalk and Evan's Pass, into the Whoop-de-Doos, through Open Blast, into Taylor's Labyrinth and up to the turn around on the stockbank at Melrose Road. Riders then follow the stockbank to Mt Ash, up and over Dump Hill (taking either route down) and into e-Can wiggle at the bottom of Dump Hill. Riders then loop back into the windy part of the track in the trees and onto The Highway. A slight left into the area at the back of ACL, then up and over ACL, over Greg's Bridge and turn right for a short ride alongside the railway tracks. Riders then go under the rail and road bridges, follow the track to the left through the concrete barriers and head to the finish line back at the picnic area. Access: as for Mountain Bike track above |
Video's
Click here for a series of YouTube clips of local trails:
