Hampden Skyline Ride

Hampden Skyline Mountain Bike Ride (Hampden School Fund raiser)

Sunday February 14th 2010

The Hampden Skyline recreational mountain bike ride offers something for riders of all abilities. First timers or those more hardened bikers who want a workout (or to race their mates) in a great mountain biking area whilst enjoying wonderful vistas out over the ocean. All rides start in the picturesque coastal hamlet of Hampden (less than an hour from Dunedin and 20 minutes from Oamaru)

There is the Pugh Pedal Push.This is a 7km family fun ride which works its way gradually up a shingle road (100mt total climb from Hampden) to a nice vantage spot which looks out over rolling farmland .From here you can see wonderful views of the coastline from Moeraki to Oamaru. There is a gradually descent across farm paddocks to Pugh Rd (shingle), that will take you back to Hampden. Those less fit, new to biking or primary school age children will really feel they have accomplished something worthwhile by completing this circuit .

The Hampden Skyline Ride (15kms, or 25km with the optional side trip to a Cell tower) takes you along the same shingle road as the Pugh Pedal Push for a start, but you carry on climbing further west to the “Airstrip” (350mtr climb from Hampden) enjoying spectacular views over the rolling hills out to the Pacific Ocean. At the airstrip there is the option (and really recommended) to travel another 5km south west on a good 4wd track(150mtr climb) to the Cellphone tower. Here you enjoy views of tussock ridges, lovely native bush gullies, with the hills of Central Otago in the distance, and you will look down on the Palmerston/East Otago area, out to Shag point and right through to the Otago heads. Then it is time to have a snack, turn around and head back on a 10km down hill run,(with the odd little up hill rise). Firstly back to the Airstrip, then it is adrenalin pumping stuff, down a rideable 4wd track for a few kilometers, (take time to enjoy the view towards Oamaru though) until you get onto a shingle road again to cruise back in to Hampden.

When you hand your number in, you might find you have won one of the spot prizes kindly donated by local businesses.

Now you can enjoy BBQ food from the Lions caravan, a dip in the school pool (so bring your togs), and/or walk a 100mt over to the Tavern for a beer, an ice cream from the shop, or finger licking food from Lockies Takeaways. On your way home pick up some fresh fish from Toby's, before filling up with petrol from the Hampden Garage. We hope you enjoyed your ride and look forward to seeing you again next year

Pugh Pedal Push $10
Airstrip and/or Cell tower Skyline Ride $25
Walkers welcome for any event $10
Family discounts
Registration from 8.30am at the Hampden School
Compulsory briefing 9.45am
Ride 10am

Hampden Skyline Mtb Ride

Notices