FARMER David Ronaldson with children Millie and Hugo, and his own motorcycle. PHOTO SIGRID CHRSTIANSEN
WAITANGURU hosts its annual motorbike trail ride on Sunday, March 26.
Mangaotaki Rd farmer and committee member David Ronaldson said there would be three tracks: one for adults, a five-kilometre for kids and 500m “pee wee track” for the smallest children.
The 40km-long adults’ version comes highly recommended.
“It will mainly be an open and fast track. So, people can open the throttle up,” David said.
The tiny community, southwest of Piopio, is known for its karst formations and winding Mangaotaki river.
“What’s great about the Waitanguru area is our scenery, and you’ll see plenty of that on the track. Plenty of the limestone cliffs, and there’s a couple of river crossings.
“There’s lots of feed around, so the country looks really good at the moment.”
Local farmers will supply meat for the barbecue.
Funds raised will go to the maintenance of the historic Waitanguru hall, David said, and to local community events.
“It goes to all the hall social activities through the year.
“The hall keeps our community going. It’s a really good focal point. We have things like Guy Fawkes, Christmas parties and potluck dinners. We’ve also got an Easter egg hunt coming up for the kids.
“It also goes to the maintenance, such as wires that need fixing.”
At times, there were new purchases for the hall, like a projector bought in recent years, making the hall more appealing to groups that wanted to hire it out, he said.
“It’s all the fundraising we need to do. We don’t have to do anything else if we get enough money from the trail ride.”
The 40km track would pass through private land, which visitors would not otherwise be able to explore, he said.
And the Waitanguru community was fully behind the event.
“Farmers are happy to open gates and move stock out of the way for the day. It’s not usually a problem, it’s for a good cause.”
There had not been a Waitanguru Trail Ride since 2020, due to Covid, and also because of a drought in recent years.
David thanked the ride’s main sponsor, Pratt Motorcycles in Te Kūiti, for its generosity in supporting the event.
Dealership owner Ben Pratt said he liked being supportive of community events like the Waitanguru ride.
“Just to get involved with the trail riding community, and the farmers and the riding. It’ll bring everyone together and just be a good fun day.”
Growing up on a farm around bikes, Ben said he had been riding since he was three years old, and enjoyed the freedom motocross offered as a sport.
His own kids are following suit: “I’ll probably bring the older two along.”
Ben’s favourite things about this weekend’s ride are the spectacular terrain and catching up with the farmers he has connected with through his business.
