Makara Peak : Questions

Questions...? You have Questions!

Where is the park?
The main entrance is on South Karori Road, at the southern end of Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.

How do I get to the Park?
From the Beehive (at the northern end of Lambton Quay) in downtown Wellington, head up Bowen Street and follow the overhead trolley bus wires all the way through Karori till they end at South Karori Road. The Makara Peak car park is 1km down South Karori Road on the right.

Who owns the park?
The land is owned by Wellington City Council (WCC).

How big is the park?
About 200 hectares - three times the size of Mt Victoria.

Who manages the park?
The Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park Supporters (Inc) in partnership with the Wellington City Council.

Who/what is the Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park Supporters (Inc)?
The Supporters are a group of volunteers who wish to ensure the park reaches its full potential, with a mission to create a world class mountain bike park, with dual use tracks for all levels of rider, in a restored native forest. The Supporters provide most of the labour, much of the funding (e.g. tools and food) and oversight for all track development and maintenance. The Supporters also manage conservation in the park, applying for grants and then using those funds to buy native plants, pay for volunteer supervision where necessary, resources for pest and weed control. You can contact the Supporters by writing to PO Box 17-095, Wellington. See also http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/supporters.html

Does it cost anything to ride there?
Donation Only. The vast majority of the labour to build and maintain the tracks is volunteer labour organised by the Makara Peak Supporters. Any actual costs of building and maintaining the park are met by the Makara Peak Supporters (e.g. tools, food for volunteers, some contract labour etc.) and by the Wellington City Council (e.g. gravel, track design work, some contract labour, certain structures etc.). Makara Peak only exists because people like you volunteer your time and money. You can help by coming along to a work party (which are lots of fun and a great way to meet other park users) and by making a donation online or by putting some coins in the donation box next to the infomration kiosk at the main car park on South Karori Road. Donations go to the Makara Peak Supporters, and are used for funding work party lunches, buying and replacing tools, etc.. You can feed a track worker for the cost of a Latte!

Who built all the cool single tracks?
The (currently) 24 kilometres of single track in the park has been build mostly by volunteers (mainly mountain bikers) with help from a few paid contractors. All but one has been hand built. There are plans for another few kilometres of track.

Who is allowed in the park?
The park is open to cyclists and pedestrians. As this is primarily a mountain bike park however, pedestrians must give way to cyclists!

Why isn't it a cyclist only park?
The WCC and Makara Peak Supporters chose to follow an inclusive philosophy for the park to help maintain the good will of a wide range of Wellington rate payers.

Are dogs allowed?
Yes, when accompanied by a their owner.

What's with all the tree planting?
Several reasons:
Fire risk - currently the park is covered in mostly gorse and young Mahoe. Gorse is a very high fire risk. Native trees have a much lower fire risk. The fire risk is highest along urban boundaries. Tree planting efforts have been focused on these areas.
Shelter - at the top/northern end of the park, where Varleys track meets the top of Maraka Hill Road the hillside is very exposed and often windy. Tree planting here will provide shelter in 5-10 years.
Aesthetics - it's much nicer riding in native bush than in gorse.

Why not plant pines and have a future income?
The Makara Peak block is predominantly steep hillside, which makes harvesting pines uneconomical.

Why not just let the native forest regenerate on it's own?
The block has been so thoroughly cleaned of previous native trees that if left on its own it will become a Mahoe only forest. The WCC and Makara Peak Supporters believe a diverse native forest will provide the best recreational experience in years to come.

What's mountain biking got to do with conservation?
Most members of the Makara Peak Supporters are interested in mountain biking and conservation. This has influenced the direction of the park's development. It also broadens the support base for the park and improves the chances for further funding from WCC and other agencies. Currently 25% of the budget goes to pest control and tree planting efforts.

What can I do to help?
Come along - You can help by turning up to a track work party; tools and a light lunch provided. These are usually held every second Sunday at 10am from the South Karori car park. For exact dates and meeting locations pick up a flier from any Wellington bike shop, from the box next to the map board at the South Karori car park or online at http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/timetable.php
Make a donation - there's a donation box next to the info kiosk at the South Karori car park.
Join the Supporters - see http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/supporters.html for a membership form.

I have some comments about the park - who should I talk you?
Post a message on the Makara Peak discussion forum at http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/

How hard are the tracks?

The Koru - Easy.
Magic Carpet - Easy.
Sally Alley - Average.
Missing Link - Average.
Aratihi - Average.
Zac's Track - Average.
Varley's Track - Average.
Leaping Lizard - Average.
SWIGG/Starfish - Average/difficult.
Nikau - Average/difficult.
Livewires - Average/difficult.
Ridgeline - Difficult.
Vertigo - Very Difficult.
Trickle Falls - Even worse.

What should I ride first?
From the car park start with The Koru.

What sort of bike can I ride there?
A mountain bike. We're assuming you have a fat tyred bike with some low gears for the hills. Suspension is optional. At present the only track optimised for big-suspension single-chainring downhill bikes is Trickle Falls. If you have a cheap old bike with no suspension you can still have a fun time on most of the easy/average tracks.

Is there a map of the park?
There's a map online at http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/tracks.html and map/fliers at the car park.
You can also buy maps at Mud Cycles for $2 (half goes to the Supporters).

Why does the Vertigo have those nasty ramps?
Vertigo is the track for "hardcore" riders who want to test a variety of skills.

Can I do DH shuttle runs from the top?
Maybe. The WCC controls access to the transmitter access road. Contact the WCC Parks and Recreation Dept, 499-2000. Note: the WCC has expressed a reluctance to grant access on a regular basis. They also prefer to grant access to organised clubs or events.

Why isn’t there a 100% downhill track from the top of Makara Hill Road?
In order to avoid houses and nasty terrain, any track from the top of Makara Hill would need to sidle along the hillside for quite a long way - ie it would not be 100% downhill.

Who decides what tracks get built?
A number of factors are involved in what tracks get built:
The Master Plan - The WCC and Makara Peak Supporters have formulated a general plan which basically involves building as much single track as can be sustainably maintained. The plan also calls for a range of tracks to suit a wide range of riders.
Terrain - any track ideas need to fit the terrain (which is mostly hilly). A lot of the park is patchy rock which rules out the use of a digger.
Resource Management Act - must be followed
Cost - there is a limited budget
Ultimately the WCC must approve all track construction.

Can I build a track on my own?
Maybe. All tracks must be approved by the WCC Parks and Recreation Department. Construction must comply with the Resource Management Act and applicable Council by-laws. The Makara Peak Supporters group includes people who can help with the messy details. Also; because the park is in regenerating native forest our tracks will never be logged so we'll have to maintain whatever we build.

How long will the tracks be there?
Unlike a pine plantation forest Makara Peak will not be wiped clean every 20 years or so. The tracks we build now will stay there.

I have a question which isn't answered here - who can I ask?
Post your question on the discussion forum at www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/