Outdoor Education…Character development through the outdoors
Remember, it’s a really basic thing to know and it’s all about your safety.
You should always tell an adult where you are going and how long you will be!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re off to a friends place to play, or to a shopping mall, the movies, or the park - you need to let someone else know where you are and how long you will be.
TASK: As you process the following information, make a note of the key points to discuss with your parents/guardians
Respect others
Stay in control.
Give way to walkers.
Signal your approach and pass with care.
Ride shared-use tracks in small groups.
Do not walk back up tracks.
Be visible at all times.
Respect the rules
Only ride on trails marked on the map.
Do not ride on closed trails.
Be prepared - take food, water, tools, first aid and warm clothes.
Don’t ride on structures in the rain and beware of trail conditions.
Respect the track
Don’t skid, cut corners or make new lines.
Avoid riding in the mud or rain.
Take rubbish home.
Clean your bike to prevent spreading weeds.
No building or altering trails.
Woodhill Mountain Bike Park is Auckland’s most popular riding venue.
45 min northwest of MAGS.
New tracks are continually being created. There are signposted courses to follow. Most courses suit a range of riding skills from novice to advanced by providing by passes around more difficult obstacles.
Track Conditions consist of 5% forestry road and 95% sand stone single track
Meet at the grandstand by 8.40am and travel to Woodhill by bus
Gear up and set up your bike seat
Practice changing gears, using the right cadence and braking
Practice riding uphill, downhill and around corners
Explore the trails and ride within your limits
Keep persevering throughout the day
Demonstrate teamwork, manaakitanga and positivity
Return to school by 3pm
MAGS PE uniform
Water resistant jacket
Sports shoes
Personal medication
Energy food & lunch (note: lunch will be eaten in the park)
1-2L of water in bottles or a hydration bladder
Whistle
Small backpack to ride with (NB: no sharing bags)
Bike gloves (optional)
Warm clothing for before and afterwards (NB: non-riding gear can be left in a secondary bag at the base)
NB: Mountain bikes and helmets will be hired from Woodhill Mountain Bike Park. Students may bring their own helmet.
NO PHONES - They will be confiscated and given to your Dean. It will also result in your Self Management grade dropping to N0. Please organise a phone free before school and after school plan before the day of your trip.
Frame Size
To get the most enjoyment from your riding and to maximise your comfort and performance your bike should be properly sized and fitted.
Check the stand over height
A bike that you ride off road should have a minimum stand over height clearance of 50mm.
Saddle Height
Too low = sore knees, wastes energy and creates more weight towards the back of the bike which affects handling
Too high = causes your hips to rock, increases the chance of getting a sore bottom and lower back, and puts more weight towards the front of the bike which affects handling
CHECK: Place your heal on your pedal. Your leg should be almost fully extended when the pedal is at the bottom of its rotation
When you are riding with a group, there are a few guidelines to help keep everyone together. Commonsense guidelines, such as:
Name a leader, a point (front rider) and a tail person
You must try to keep in sight of the person in front and behind
If one person needs to stop everyone stops
When riding in a line, no passing
Keep a space of at least five bike lengths behind the person in front of you
Use a buddy system and keep an eye on your buddy
Number off: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, …………. before departing and on arrival at key parts of the ride e.g. track intersections and stops