Overview
TUSSOCK BUSTER is a two-day trail ride held at Waiouru and utilising the 63,000 hectare Army training area. Camping on Friday and Saturday nights is provided on the Waiouru rugby club fields. Hot showers, flush toilets, a rugby club bar, large flat screen TV, and Army cooked meals are available. Check out the YouTube video and photos from 2008/2009.
Date
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 March 2011
Camping and riding is available from 1300hrs (1pm) on Friday 25 March 2010.
Entry forms
Entry forms will be available closer to the event date (join our mailing list to stay updated).
Location
Campsite and sign on: Waiouru Rugby Club grounds. Follow the signs at Waiouru township. Take the road beside the Army Museum.
Trails: Army training area on Eastern side of the Desert Road, SH1.
Suitability
There are tracks for all levels of competency.
The land is rolling tussock with all-weather dirt tank tracks and gravel roads. The dirt tracks are perfectly rideable even if wet. This is semi-alpine riding, so warm clothes are required.
Tracks
Dedicated kids track.
Quads welcome.
6 main tracks, ranging in difficulty. The longest track is over 105km long. The first three tracks range from 10km-45km, with detours for difficult areas and short cuts home. The fourth track is up to 90km, with river crossings, formed trails and shortcuts home prior to the 50km mark.
Two kids tracks will be available. One is for really small kids and novice riders. This track is just beside the camping area and winds through pine trees. The second track is approximately 5km long, is flat and easy to ride. This track is for kids only or kids accompanied by their parents.
Camping
Camping is available for approximately 800 people on the Waiouru Rugby Club grounds. This is a sheltered spot with on-site showers, toilets, rugby club bar and big screen TV. Additional portaloos will be provided. The campsite is open from 1pm on Friday.
Other accommodation
Motels, lodges and hotels are available in Waiouru township (2 minutes away), Ohakune and Station Lodge (20 minutes), Taihape (30 minutes) or Turangi (40 minutes).
Registration
Pre-entry registration is preferred. On-the-day registration is as you enter the campsite and is at the following times:
Friday: 11.30am-7.00pm.
Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am-10.30am.
Briefing
The Army training area has a number of hazards that must be correctly explained. All riders must attend the ‘rolling’ briefings held each day. All riders must read the Rules & Legal Issues, and must read the ‘rules’ that are handed out at registration.
Track times
Friday: 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 8.30am - 3.00pm.
Fire restrictions
March is a high fire risk time at Waiouru. It is recommended riders (other than those on the kids track and motocross tracks) carry fire extinguishers. However, it is not an essential item.
No open fires are permitted at the campsite.
Medical
NZ Army medics will be onsite, together with St John Ambulance. Track Marshalls will carry comprehensive medical kits.
Fuel
91 and 95 octane fuel is available at the Waiouru township. 98 octane fuel cannot be purchased in Waiouru.
Fuel will be available for purchase on the 90km and 105km tracks. Fuel trailers will be positioned at the 25km and 70km points (approximate distances) — these trailers have fuel dispensing pumps. Fuel can be purchased at $3.00/litre. Bring your own 2-stroke oil. A measuring container will be available at each refuel site. It is recommended that you only purchase enough fuel to get you back to home — there is no need to totally fill up your bike (unless it has a small tank). Due to the location and distance, there is no facility to pre-position fuel cans.
Meals
Breakfasts and dinners can be pre-purchased. Just complete the entry form. This is only available for those who pre-register. These are supplied by the NZ Army School of Catering. Coffee, hamburgers, chips, cold drinks, etc. can be purchased throughout the day at the campsite.
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased from the Rugby Club once the tracks close each day. A number of food outlets are available in Waiouru township (2 minutes away by car).
Riding equipment
Serviceable helmet, boots, long trousers and long sleeved top are compulsory. All bikes must have a serviceable muffler.
Recommended items are: goggles, gloves, body armour or enduro jacket, rain jacket and thermal undergarments. The weather is changeable in Waiouru and in less than an hour it can go from hot sunshine to strong winds and cold rain.
Respect the venue
This is Defence Force land and in order to continue to make it available for future events, all riders and campers must respect the venue. Please be aware of the following:
- Obey all speed limits on roads.
- Keep to the left on the gravel roads.
- Do not litter - this includes tear offs.
- Don't spin your wheels or in any way damage the grass on the rugby field and surrounds and within the confines of the fenced Army camp. Once out on the tracks, you can spin your wheels as much as you want.
- Respect others living within the camp and Army housing area and don't make excessive noise with your bike.
- Do not touch any unexploded or exploded ordnance.
- Stick to the designated tracks and zones. If you are found riding in unauthorised areas, you WILL be sent home.
- Take appropriate clothing with you on the tracks (especially the big loop).
- Within the camping area, bike speed must be restricted to first gear only (under 10km/hr).
Army Museum
The Army Museum has kindly agreed to offer a significant discount on its entry price for all those attending the Tussock Buster event - download the PDF for details.
Additional information
Contact Mike Ross or phone 021-527-299
Contact David Greenslade or phone 021-400-600
Spread the word
Email a link to this web page to your friends.
