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Proposed tour of Kiwarrak
Greetings!
I have heard many good things about the Kiwarrak State Forest area, and the pictures of the trails look pretty awesome, if you are into riding technical trails. I have never ridden a see-saw, so that is also something to look forward to. 
But I guess the trails won't all be technical.
This forum post is really just a question to you all.
Is there any interest in heading up there for a ride? As this is 3.5 hours away from Sydney, and I don't want to lose 7 hours commuting in the day, does a trip out there need to be an overnighter? If so, what are the accomodation options for this place? Is it a caravan park kind of thing?
Lets hear your thoughts. 
Ride meeting is here:
http://nobmob.com/node/31105
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A trip to Kiwarrak allways gets some interest ,when we did it last year we stayed at a camping ground at Old Bar , only 10 min drive to the trails ,and great responce from the local" tip riders "who gave us a royal tour of their trails awesome weekend . would be keen to get back up there.
but would be keen to do another tour up there again!-John(Hawkeye) is the man to see also.
We have about 40km of singletrack. The race loop as used for the GNaTPACK (Mid North Coast Series) today is a touch over 15.5km.
With that in mind why not head up after work Friday evening, ride with the crew at 7am Saturday morning then we can organise another ride either later Saturday or on Sunday.
The race loop is not that technical but the 88 riders today loved it.
Let us know when.
I'm heading up there this weekend to see family, but a group weekend away would be awesome.
The race loop is a lot of fun. Just gotta wach those pesky trees... they keep jumping out in front of you
http://contour.com/stories/kiwarrak-mountain-bik...
Came across this youtube video and it does look like lots of fun.
http://youtu.be/tJPN6HerSeM
Hi Liam
What dates did you have in mind?
Cheers
Brian
I love Kiwarrak. I might be up for a trip up there soon if I get the green light.
Here is a crappy vid I shot with my phone tapped to my bars when I was there about 5-6 weeks ago. This is GO21, awesome track;
http://youtu.be/9CKxf2dr0AQ
Thanks for posting the vids everyone, those are great, and exactly what I wanted to see!
The trail looks totally sick, particularly all the little jumps and skinnies there to keep things interesting. Kind of reminds me of some of the trails at Menai, and maybe out at Lithgow at Donnybrook.
Brian, I don't have any dates yet, but was looking at maybe the Sun/Mon of the October long weekend. Or maybe a weekend or two afterwards, if those initial ones do not work out. But, as Bing Lee says... everything is negotiable!
Q1: Does anyone know the hilliness of the trails? On par with Great Northern Road perhaps? Less hilly?
Q2: What is the preferred steed for riding around Kiwarrak? All mountain, or XC?
Q1=same type of hilliness as Awaba & Glenrock to me.Q2=All Mountain for me(have only 1 bike anyway=C'Dale Prophet).
Excellent. October looks good for me at this stage but would make a call closer to the date.
Hilliness depends on the trails chosen. Heart Rate Hill's a good 'un ... I made Robbie O follow me up that one last time we were there
The XC loop is pretty flat, just a few short rolling climbs.
The fire road climb up to (from memory) Skull and Son of Skull is what I'd call moderate, although the first time I did it with the locals I scored my highest heart rate ever recorded to that time... shows you what a recent flu and not riding can do to your fitness
Haven't seen that GO21 trail - looks like a hoot.
And don't forget stairway to heaven and devils garden .... These take you to the top of the river or up river ... So there is a bit of climbing for those that are that way inclined.
remember what goes up must come down, and as you can see from the river video on this link you are well rewarded.
where was this OLD BAR camping ground???
Google it ,Lani's on the beach!
I guess you would call GO21 River's little brother. The jumps are a bit more sedate and there is no giant see saw. It would be good to get a proper tour as I've been there twice and spend more time trying to look at the map than just riding. Also miss heaps of good stuff and end up riding too much easy stuff.
The Kanangra classic is also in Oct.
Accomodation choices for this? My preference, in this order, would be:
1. Group stay at a motel to reduce the costs at ~$200 per night, would reduce down to about $30-$50 per person (depending on numbers). Easy money, with a warm and comfy bed to go to. This also gives good options for evening entertainment like a big restaurant dinner, to load up for the following day's riding!
2. Group stay at a caravan park to reduce costs even further. At ~$100-$150 per night for a large cabin, would reduce down to about $20 per person. We have used this option in the past and always works well.
3. Camping at a local camp ground. Always cheap and easy, but does everyone like to rough it?
Of course, this may not be your thing and will want your own alternative. But I just thought I would put a group thing/money saving idea out there for comments.
Your thoughts?
This all sounds very appealing and if there's room for one more, I'd love to join you all.
I'll have more of a chance making it if its not on the long weekend, also accommodation would be easier to come by.
My choice would be cabin or motel
I like to go up to Kirrawak but with baby on the way might be a next year trip for me , my sort of tracks too not much climbing by the looks of the vids .
motel option is good ,less gear to take ,also can't do long weekend but other october dates are good!
We have access to a family property, a 3BR/2Ba house at Forster at no charge, but as I would be responsible, numbers would be limited to those I know from group rides, and no alcohol on site.
This may not suit everybody who wants to come along... happy to go with what the majority want to do.
Okay, I propose October 8-9, the weekend after the long weekend.
Do anyone have opinions on the best motel or caravan park? Somewhere that can fit all the bikes and gear? Most places seem to take up to 4 adults only, which probably means getting 2 places for the group, numbers pending.
Happy Hallidays deluxe spa villa at Hallidays Point.
Lani's holiday island also looks okay, www.lanis.com.au as it is only
(nb: sorry to any of the Bathurst fans out there.)
Okay, I propose October 8-9, the weekend after the long weekend.
Do anyone have opinions on the best motel or caravan park? Somewhere that can fit all the bikes and gear? Most places seem to take up to 4 adults only, which probably means getting 2 places for the group, numbers pending of course! Some decent places I have found are:
Happy Hallidays deluxe spa villa at Hallidays Point. www.happyhallidays.com.au
Lani's holiday island also looks okay, www.lanis.com.au
Your thoughts?
(nb: sorry to any of the Bathurst fans out there. But this is all that works)
I'm at Bathurst with the boys that weekend.
I'll keep an eye out for the next trip
Allthough these dates fall into the school holiday time, I'd be a starter for this trip . I Like the look of the loft at Lani's (wow there is a lot of L's in that)
Being school holidays accommodation might be a bit hard to come by. But if camping is an option we have never had too much trouble getting a spot. Keen to join this one I always seem to have something on when these awsome trips are planed.
Mansfield is across the road from the tracks. You can ride from the cabins on offer, plenty of space and very private.
http://www.mansfieldonthemanning.com/index.htm
8th & 9th work for me
So is someone gonna put up a ride meeting?
The ride calendar entry is up
Hi all,
Can I please get some final indications on accomodation numbers? Anyone wanting to stay in a cabin will be away overnight on Sat 8th October. Riding is for Sat arvo and also Sun morning.
Please post your acceptance, that you are okay to stay in a cabin, and that you can turn up a bit before 12pm so we can dump our stuff off at the cabin beforehand.
Also, anyone interested in carpooling from the Epping direction?
Cheers.
I'm good to go and put my name down for a cabin. The only reason at I can see me not making it is if they reschedule the Bottlebutt for that weekend. Hopefully a date will be announced in a day or two.
Where are you cabin-ing?
I'm in and happy to stay in a cabin
I look the look of the Happy Hallidays holiday park. With 4 dudes to a cabin, you are looking at ~$40 overnight. Plus you get a warm shower, TV, everything!!
About 10 minutes drive from the trailhead.
Villa:
http://www.happyhallidays.com.au/2560/Accommodat...
Deluxe Villa:
http://www.happyhallidays.com.au/2559/Accommodat...
What do others think?
Looks good.
Fine with me
Is there room for another? If so count me in.
Cheers
Evan
I'll confirm whether hawkeye jnr is also in later on tonight.
I was so keen for this trip but I don't think I can make it, I will be looking for somewhere to live or moving If I find something earlier. Damn!
But once I'm settled every weekend will be a ride weekend!
@craked, shame you can't make it but then it just gives us another reason to head back up there
Bummer Craig. You are the one who inspired me to go to Kiwarrak. Good luck sorting out accom.
You wont be disappointed.
XC trails are fantastic albeit a little bit boggy when we were there in sections. Great amount of wooden bridges/ramps/log rides etc..
The down river run is also a hoot! lots of jumps (both beginner friendly and more advanced), the see saw is awesome and gives you a real thrill when you do it for the first time!
definitely would recommend an AM bike over XC if you intend to do some more of the downhill stuff and hit the jumps, otherwise just take the b lines.
I will investigate with Happy Hallidays the availability of 2 x cabins (I think they hold 4 each). I think that should be enough.
I will post the results...
Just as a progress update, Happy Hallidays had two Deluxe Villas available, so these will be booked. They are getting back to me about pricing as we are not there for school holidays and they will charge us less (hopefully) as they are nice people!
A better rate for us!
Any more takers out there for accom?
First day back is Monday 10 October... http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/events/vaca...
Just spoke with the youngster, has elected to pass. Just me at this stage.
There are a few other names on the ride but haven't said you'll be staying in the cabin. Below is the list so far needing accommodation. Shout out if you are not on the below list and need a bed.
Little-Ditty
evan
Brian
CROMERBOY
Hawkeye
Canuck76
Peter R
Caro
mchargy
scottyb
Add me.
down for the ride and for accomodation please.
I've not been on the site much even though been a memeber for yrs. Looking forward to meeting everyone nd having a great ride.