Motorcyclists go off-road

First timer . . .Hadler Steele 10 of Loburn, has his first go at riding on a motocross circuit at the ECan trail riding day at Kaiapoi Island. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Tight bend . . . Liam Counsell 8 of Rangiora, takes a corner at the ECan trail riding day at Kaiapoi Island. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Richard Leacock of Casebrook at the ECan trail riding day at Kaiapoi Island. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Brendon Wilson of Tai Tapu at the ECan trail riding day at Kaiapoi Island. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Farah Langridge 12 of Christchurch at the ECan trail riding day at Kaiapoi Island. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE

Nice track . . . Taking a break from his campaigning in the Southern MX Series in the 65cc junior MX class, Oscar Hopewell 8, of Rangiora, samples one of the newly graded tracks during at the Kaiapoi Island motorbike fun day organised by ECan and the...

Learning the trails and tracks available for off road motorcycle riders in the Waimakariri River regional park was the goal of an event organised by Environment Canterbury (ECan) over the weekend.

ECan event co-ordinator Gill Walsh said it was a great turnout with over 100 riders attending to try out the tracks and trails at the Kaiapoi Island trail bike hub.

ECan had teamed up with the Christchurch Off Road Motorcycle Club to have a fun day out at the hub, located on the northern banks of the river.

Walsh says they were very grateful for their support with the project,

‘‘We had riders young and old keen to engage with us about the dedicated tracks and trails we have for them in the park,

‘‘Many were keen to get a taste for the areas we have set aside from them.’’

She says it was a good opportunity for ECan to showcase in a controlled environment, what’s on offer in the 15,000 hectare park area they look after along the banks of the Waimakariri River.

‘‘We have on-site at the hub, three dedicated tracks plus a learners area and we encourage riders to use just these areas rather than using ones dedicated to other park users.’’