New track for Port Hills mountain bikers

Mountain bikers have fresh territory on the Port Hills with the opening of a new track built mostly by volunteers.

The 3.8 kilometre track, currently called the Montgomery Spur Loop Track, is the first new track to be built on the hills in about a decade. It is close to the popular Rapaki Track but provides an additional loop that's designed for beginner to intermediate riders.

The track, which is open now but is yet to be formally named, is the result of the labour of about 40 keen volunteers and T5 contracting, with supervision, advice and support provided by Christchurch City Council staff.

The new Montgomery Spur Loop Track covers 3.8km.

It is built on Montgomery Spur Reserve land, which was mandated in 2010 for a mountain bike track. A successful application to Transpower Community Fund secured $20,000, opening the way for a new trail to be built.

Graham Allan, of the Christchurch Singletrack Club, co-ordinated the team of volunteers who have worked on the project for the past 18 months, from the early planning stages through to construction which started in May. Liaison with Council rangers and other staff was important to make sure the project went smoothly.

"It's been 75 per cent volunteer labour, 15 per cent contracted construction, and about 10 per cent Council oversight, planning, and helping to transport gear up there."

At present the only access to the track is from the mid-way part of the Rapaki Track, but there are plans to introduce other access points. While the signs are yet to go up, word is already getting out about the new challenge available for riders. It takes about 25 minutes to ride but Graham says the beginner to intermediate track provides lots of variety and challenges without too much risk. 

“It's something a little bit different," he says. "The scenery looking out over the city is amazing. It has really filled that niche of a track that helps people get from the flat lands up on to the hills because there are no steep-drop offs. It gives them a bit of playground where they can ride without fear of taking a tumble because there's nothing to fall on but tussock."

Graham has been a regular volunteer helping the Council with track maintenance on the Port Hills for ten years. He says the new track is a symbol of the strong collaborative relationship between the Council and the mountain biking fraternity.

Volunteers working on the new mountain bike track.

"That this is the first brand new track on the Port Hills in 10 years is quite significant. We're really pleased to see it open and being discovered and enjoyed by a wide range of riders."

Council Port Hills Ranger Nick Singleton says working with Graham and the other volunteers  has been "an absolute pleasure".

"Their commitment, technical input, and overall professionalism has helped break the long drought of new mountain bike track construction on the Port Hills.  Hopefully the success of this project will lead to more new community-inspired track construction projects in the future."