Tight but non-threatening singletrack winds through the bush on Sidewinder
Either take the Village Link track leading off Beachnest Crescent or follow Hwy 63 west 2km to the skating rink carpark (signposted) where there is a map with the trails on it. Follow the Skating Pond Loop Track through scattered matagouri and kanukas more or less along the base of the hill, soon riding out on to grassy flats. Follow the markers across the flats until you reach an intersection with a directional sign. Take the track straight ahead then right at the next sign to the Kaka Track, which is an intermediate track that climbs to the ridge and the Big Bush Track. 200m up Kaka a sign indicates the start of Sidewinder Track to the left.
Skating Pond Loop and Rattler Rim provide entertainment for less skilled riders.
The tracks across the flats are well marked
Follow Sidewinder for a fun tight track with lots of small technical bits across small creeks, through open grassed clearings and mature beech forest.
Big Bush Track between the top of Robin Banks Hill and Flying Moa
Winding up the well graded Kaka Track
Flying Moa can also be accessed up the Kaka Track then turn left along the Big Bush Track for 450 metres to where it starts.
Duck Down is quite tight, but the views of the lake are rewarding
The lower 400m of Duck Down is quite technical, some riders may walk this bit
For the expert riders turn right at the top of Kaka Track for 1.7km to the top of Rocky Horror Track. A sign to the left indicates the start of Duck Down an advanced grade track completed in February 2015 which gives another option for the descent from Big Bush Track.
Rocky Horror is, you guessed it, quite a rocky water course
Constructing Flying Moa
Flying Moa Track
Flying Moa track starts 485m west of the top of Kaka Track and winds down through mature beech forest for 2.8km to link in to the western end of Sidewinder just before it emerges from the bush. Flying Moa is a quite technical, but non-threatening intermediate trail that will make you hone your bike handling skills on its tight twisting route through the forest. You have the option of riding back through Sidewinder or for an easier ride, carry on out on to the flats and ride back along Rattler Rim Trail.
A suggested loop to take in most of the Teetotal tracks is to ride from St Arnaud through Village Link on to Skating Pond Loop, turn up Kaka then after 200m left on Sidewinder which you follow right through to Jasmine forestry road. Ride up the road to Robin Banks Hill at the start of Big Bush Track. Follow the Big Bush Track to the top where Flying Moa goes off to the right. Down Flying Moa and then Sidewinder on to the flats, but turn left and cross Teetotal Rd on to Rattler Rim. Head east along Rattler Rim to Skating Pond Loop where you turn left. Ride out to Teetotal Rd then left along the road to pick up Skating Pond Loop again on your right. Follow Skating Pond Loop clockwise to the bottom of Kaka Track. Ride up Kaka, right at the top for 1.7km then turn left at the start of Duck Down. Duck Down takes you back down to Skating Pond Loop which you follow back to the Skating Pond or St Arnaud village.
A bit shorter loop that misses out Sidewinder and Rattler Rim is Skating Pond Loop, Kaka, Flying Moa, Sidewinder west, Jasmine Rd, Big Bush Track, Duck Down. This takes 3.5 to 4.5hrs but you can opt out in various places.
