New Zealand Trials News

Ihatove host Nick checking out sections

Nick has been the 'test dummy' for some of the Ihatove sections for this year's event and has pronounced them all ride able.

Nick, Andy and Peter are looking forward to hosting riders again this year and enjoying seeing everyone having a great ride with great company in a great location.

We have been working hard to add some new challenges this year with both new trail and sections being opened up. There is so much potential that NonStop intend to continue developing the park and the Ihatove event in the future.

Wild piglets making a quick exit

During the preparations for the 2012 Ihatove we have been disturbing the locals who find it entertaining to have a regular visit from the Oliver clan as they go about their task of trail and section setting in their backyard.

The weather has been treating us kindly and we can honestly say summer has finally arrived.
February is shaping up to be a repeat of last year of quite warm temperatures. As there is plenty of growth in the grass after all the rain we are predicting the grass will be a potential fire hazard; so if anyone has their own portable fire extinguisher, please bring them along. We will have a supply as well.
We work on the theory that if you have it covered it most likely won't be needed.

Herd of deer keeping a close eye on us

As you will see by the photo of our little piglet friends we have encountered on numerous occasions a number of different litters with combinations of colours and at this point as they are not aware that humans are a threat we have been able to get quite close before they do a runner.

The herd of deer was a surprise but quite a special sight to see so many close at hand and the bulls were rather intimidating but never fear they were just being stored on the property for the recent Rodeo.

Honda quad "Great asset"

With the addition of the NonStop quad bike this year grooming the trail and sections further afield on the Hunt's property 'Highfield Farm' over the bridge has been more achieveable and has saved a lot of time and hardship getting equipment to and from the track.

Stephen has enjoyed the ride and the views and has mentioned on numerous occasions how impressed he has been with the smooth torquey engine and stability on some of the steeper terrain, although he is fully aware that complacency can end in disaster on such a machine which once started will bounce their way to the bottom!

Thanks to the recent Nelson floods one of the more remote gullies on this part of the track which was popular last year, has become even more accessible for some great riding.

Great company / fun times

The Oliver clan took a break from Ihatove preparation to enjoy the company of local riders Paul, Tony & Greg, not to mention the new grandsons Logan and Charlie and their doting mums Ember and Megan.

Once again three generations were on show and it will be a great occasion at the Ihatove in February to have the opportunity for a photo shoot of the four generations all together when great grandparents Allan and Lorraine Oliver arrive.

It is good to have Allan well on the road to recovery after last year's setback. Him & Lorraine are in good spirits and looking forward to this year's event. With the addition of the quad bike Allan will have an alternative means of transport to keep a video and photo log of the action.

"Fantastic"

I have taken a few more photos today which I think are really neat.

The weather was fine and there was a distinct feeling of summer in the air, this photo of Nick riding through a huge area of very pretty yellow daisies just confirms how amongst all the sad and unpleasantness on our home earth that there is still much beauty and happiness to be found if you just make the effort to look for it. Also how the trials motorcycle can help to access this experience.

On days like today it is so great to be alive and the only thing better is when you are able to share it with someone you care for.

Today was such a great day and having Nick to share it with was a bonus.

Hill sides covered in vibrant colour

Here is Nick trying out the Quad, it was such a delight to enjoy the beauty of the spring / summer bloom with the hillsides covered in nature's beauty." Fantastic"

All this flowering display is hidden away behind loop 2

We are pleased to be able to share this with you and our Japanese friends and we hope you will enjoy the photos just as we enjoy viewing the photos and happy experiences of our Japanese counterparts when preparing for their Idemitsu Ihatove Event.

Giving it a go for the first time

Yesterday was Deborah and today was Nicks turn to help.

We together finished off the track for the quad by increasing the width for improved safety.

Here is a good shot of me trying out the track and successfully negotiating the top corner before reaching the famous Ihatove Bridge.

The Quad fits over the bridge but not a lot of room to spare.

The Honda quad is very useful and ideal for what we require to help with the setting out of the NZ Ihatove event.

The quad handles the bridge

The NonStop team has a lot of work ahead of us but it is a great environment and we feel privileged to have the opportunity to spend many hours in such a rugged and very beautiful place

There are sure signs of the heavy rain we have had over the last couple of weeks. The creeks have been cleared and opened up a lot of new potential; with a bit of work we will be able to create some great new sections for all our entrants.

Summer has not fully kicked in at present and the heavy clouded sky helps when working. However we are very mindful that it is shaping up to be a very hot February so we are going to make the most of the natural bush and the shade that it has to offer.

Before heading off

"A Great way to start the New Year"

Deborah and I have had a hard day at the 'office'.

We both headed out to the trials park to put in some serious hours of work.

The first job today was to make the track up to the bridge larger to cope with our new acquisition (Honda TRX 350 4x4 farm quad); fortunately the bridge is both strong and wide enough to accommodate the quad. Now we have easy access to the second property, where we will be heading tomorrow.

Peter and I put in a full day on Wednesday and have made some real headway. Major clearing of fallen trees has been necessary and repair work due to the recent floods that Nelson has been subjected to over the last few weeks.

I am glad to say that we are on target for the up and coming NZ Ihatove event and we have some really great sections for everyone.

I am really grateful that Deborah is so keen to help, she is a fantastic asset to the cause, and this afternoon she operated the spade for several hours while I was hard at it with the pick and grubber. Deborah impressed me with her commitment and endurance.

Merry Christmas

Team NonStop would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 2011 has been another very busy and exciting year and we are all looking forward to moving into 2012.

Now with the addition of the fourth generation and the advent of NonStops association with Jotagas the NonStop family is growing.

A very special thank you to all our supporters and we look forward to catching up in the new year.

DRD December 2011

The NonStop team were privileged to be paid a visit by the legendary Power trio; Greg, Chris & Karl.
Greg Power is a legend in his own right having numerous trial and enduro titles to his name. He has passed on many of his skills and knowledge onto son Chris and nephew Karl.
Chris has also held the position of editor-in-chief of Dirtrider Downunder. He recently resigned as editor to take up the new role of professional rider and freelance journalist.

Both Chris and Karl wish to spend more time riding and competing in prestigious events nationally and internationally. They have just recently returned from the very famous Roof of Africa which is well known for its gruelling terrain and the success of fellow New Zealander Chris Birch who once again this year finished a very creditable second place, only being beaten by world champion trials and extreme enduro rider, Graham Jarvis.

The purpose of the Power clans visit to NonStop was to get some first hand training and advice and to brush up on their trials riding skills, in order to ensure their completion of the Roof of Africa event. Chris has written a great article of their day at NonStop which you can view in the December issue #76.

We very much enjoyed getting together and plan to cooperate in the future with some new initiatives in mind. The Powers are great believers in the benefits of cross training for both trials and enduro. These skills are transferable to all the off road disciplines (refer to the NonStop Coaching Manual).

If only I had the airfare

NonStop are very proud and pleased to announce after many months of negotiation and development we are part of the Jotagas world wide family, along with good friends Steve Saunders (UK), Adrian & Mandy Lewis (USA), Hiroshi Kondo (Japan) and Jack Field (Australia).
JOTAGAS, from its inception, has had on its team Javier Castany, professor at the University of Zaragoza (mechanical engineering department), Jordi Tarrés, Multi World Trials Champion, and Miki Arpa Bultó, Enduro legend. Along with many others on the team, all with proven experience and great careers in the motorcycle industry, it is ensuring Jotagas its future success.
Jotagas was born with a philosophy that was very clear and transparent - maximise quality and smooth operation of the JT and MK bikes, and offer all the brand partners (suppliers, users, customers, distributors and riders) a new way of working, while enjoying and achieving results in line with their efforts and dedication: as a brand JTG develops winning bikes with which they will participate in both World Championships, - trials and enduro. The JTG bikes will have their own designed and produced engines.
It has two European Racing teams for Trial and Enduro competition which we aim to emulate in the Pacific Rim region with USA, Japan, Australia and NZ.
The NonStop team look forward to a bright future and are honoured to be working with such an innovative and experienced group of people.
JTG trial and enduro bikes will be going into production early in 2012, starting with just a few bikes to be used as demo bikes. Then moving forward a little later in the year with a small shipment of the production model.
Jotagas NZ will be announcing future updates as they come to hand.