New pump track among changes at Te Kopua
Raglan’s Te Kopua BMX track is to be replaced with an $80,000 pump track, to be built by Empire of Dirt next year. Keep Reading
Mountain-running race attracts twice as many competitors
Competitors either love or hate the Raglan Karioi Trail (RKT) mountain race – much like the steep course, it seems there is no middle ground regarding opinions of the extreme running event. Keep Reading
Middle-aged men’s bowls tournament
The annual Middle-aged Men’s Bowls Competition was held in stunning conditions at our local bowling club last Friday. Keep Reading
Kākāriki Trail a ‘whole new playground’ for mountainbike riders
The Kakariki Trail’s fancy ribbon was cut on Saturday morning, officially opening the Raglan bike track for business. Keep Reading
All-terrain Nanny Goats gear up for epic 100km challenge
It’s the kind of beautiful sunny morning in Raglan that makes you feel blessed to live here, to be alive. Keep Reading
Mountainbiking trails on track for a summer opening
The signs are up but the Raglan Mountainbiking Club is asking users to stay off the new trails until they are completed and open to the public.
Club treasurer Dirk De Ruysscher said some people had already been trying out the new tracks in the pine forest at Wainui Reserve, including some kids on motorbikes.
“There was some minor damage but we got them off in time and they said sorry.”
Dirk says motorbikes are not permitted in the reserve, and not just for safety reasons.
“We don’t want motorbikes in there because they will rip it up.”
Track builder Empire of Dirt has been cutting out and compacting loop tracks in the pine forest with diggers since September 1, and have about 400 metres left to go. They will then go in by hand to get out any tree roots and smooth edges.
The $56,000 cross-country circuit is a community project driven by the Raglan Mountainbiking Club.
Dirk says the trails, which have “nice ocean views and inland views”, will be open to the public.
“But if people are planning to ride them a lot then we would appreciate it if they become a member of the club or give a donation to help keep the track in good nick.”
Regular maintenance will be the club’s responsibility, and will include regular removal of pine needles off the track, to prevent them from getting slippery.
Dirk says the track is a regular cross-country loop, about 4km long, with a bit of everything.
“There’s a few fun bits: some jumps and some nice flowing corners.
“If you go around two or three times it is a good workout.”
Access to the trails is from the car park at the end of Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive. Waikato District Council has already put up a sign for the mountainbiking track on the intersection with Wainui Rd.
“People will have to walk up the hill to get to it because there is no more money for an extra track.”
Dirks says all users must be aware that it could take up to a year before the track will be how it is intended to be.
“The more that ride it the better the trails will become.
“People shouldn’t expect that from day one it will be like the quality of the Rotorua tracks.”
The trails are all grade two – easy – and something “older kids will enjoy, definitely”.
“It will be a draw card to Raglan,” says Dirk.
“If it’s a bad beach day, it is very sheltered in there – so it’s going to be a nice alternative when other activities are not possible. I expect a lot of people from out of town to come and use it.”
Dirk, who rents bikes at his shop, Cyclery Raglan, in Bankart St, says the club hopes that the new trails will be the start of a cycling network in Raglan.
The Waikato District Council has made a commitment to improve and build walking and cycling trails with its Trails Strategy 2016, which is still being drafted. A number of potential new routes have been identified in Raglan, including the west coast on the other side of the harbour.
The Raglan Mountainbiking Club currently has 45 paid members, with 15 people joining in the past two weeks.
Club member Charlie Young says they are looking for more members to join, at a cost of $20 a year.
Club members will have the job of pre-riding the track to get it ready for an open day, earmarked for Saturday, December 3.
Inger Vos
Raglan Gym: Strong bones the key to a pain free life
Are you over 50 years of age? Have you broken any bones or have a family history of osteoporosis?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions you should consider talking to your healthcare provider about a bone density test and develop a plan to protect your bones.
Bone density is a medical term normally referring to the amount of mineral matter per square centimetre of bones. In addition to helping you lose fat, build muscle, boost mood, improve sleep and so much more, weight training also helps improve bone density.
Maximum bone density is generally reached around age 30 where bone mass begins to decline naturally with age. Although you may not be in a high risk group, strengthening bones should be a priority, as the more dense you can make your bones, the more you can lose over time without suffering the negative consequences.
How can you increase your bone density?
Weight bearing exercise and resistance training are crucial to increasing bone density along with taking bone support micro nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, and addressing medical and hormonal issues that may be predisposing you to osteopenia or osteoporosis. Not only can weight training increase bone density, it can also improve muscle mass, balance and connective tissue strength, all of which decrease the risk of falling and breaking something.
Strength training at least twice a week is needed to stimulate bone growth.
Here at Raglan Gym we can help design a weights programme for you – See the team today.
Raglan Gym – 825 0079
Solscape: Finding the Sweet Spot
Sitting high above Manu Bay and Ngarunui Beach looking out over the Tasman Sea, the most fortunate visitors to Raglan find themselves parked up at the beautiful and iconic eco retreat, Solscape.
Established in 2002, Solscape has steadily evolved its earthy offerings and caters to a wide variety of visitors from around New Zealand and the globe who are looking for a uniquely grounding, nurturing and inspiring experience.
Most renowned for its quirky array of sustainably designed holiday accommodations – tipis, earth domes, eco baches and cabooses, Solscape has more recently broadened and ramped up their health and wellbeing services for visitors.
Yoga, massage, healthy food, cranio-sacral therapy and sacred journey guidance consultations are now daily offerings and central to what goes on at this one of a kind destination.
Solscape’s team of qualified and experienced Yoga instructors draw from a mixture of yoga styles catering for all levels from the absolute beginner to the more advanced yogini and the views from the spacious, elevated yoga room are truly spectacular.
Peacefully nestled amongst the trees, the Kahuna Room is Solscape’s sanctuary for healing. Utilised exclusively for massage, bodywork and personal self-development consultations, many a magical moment has occurred between client and practitioner in the safety of this beautiful space.
We can’t look past good food when it comes to taking care of ones health and wellbeing and the Conscious Kitchen focuses on providing ethically sourced, lovingly prepared, nourishing meals and treats served on their dining terrace with world class views.
Simply put, Solscape is hitting the sweet spot on so many levels and no visit to Raglan is complete without a little taste.
For more information visit solscape.co.nz
To book a Yoga mat or healing therapy call 07 825 8268.
Raglan Gym: HOW YOGA HELPS FOCUS THE WANDERING MIND
Have you ever tried to focus on a task and found yourself drifting off on thoughts from the mind or getting distracted easily?
Research has shown that doing yoga regularly will help you get more things done, as your ability to focus and concentrate on tasks is improved hugely.
Yoga Postures, while appearing to deal with the physical body alone, actually influence the chemical balance of the brain, which in turn improves one’s mental state of being.
The purpose of yoga is to work both the mind and body. Yoga postures, for example, simultaneously calm and stimulate the brain. These postures activate and stimulate vital organs by supplying fresh blood to the brain, making it alert but relaxed.
Yogic exercises cater to the needs of each individual according to his or her specific needs and physical condition. In yoga, each cell is observed, attended to, and provided with a fresh supply of blood, allowing it to function smoothly.
However, unhealthy bodies tend to have inert, dull, and sluggish minds. It is the practice of yoga which removes this sluggishness from the body and brings it to the level of the active mind. Ultimately, both the body and mind rise to the level of the illuminated self.
Check out the Raglan Gym class timetable on our website www.raglangym.co.nz. Yoga, HITT strength and Oov core are FREE when you join the gym, and spin is discounted at $5 per class.
For more info call Amber 027 294 6949.