I stopped offroading when I bent my rim to the point where it would cost more to get it fixed/replaced, than to get a new bike. I then got a road bike for free and upgraded as much as possible to standerds of this melenium, except the tyres those are cross-ply.
I plan to take my uncles bike from him and start offroading again - ( he owes be a bike since he gave away the ( see pic in post #16 ) which i asked for ) - when i get tired of the tarmac.

Current Bike - Raleigh Winner ( old cheap road bike ) i removed all the parts that are usless before 6 pm, and then some.

broken thingy in the shed -( cheap MTB ) spent 100 dollars on it for a nice shock set ( i take apart everything i own no matter the expence the knowlege is priceless (tm) ) -written off-

I've heard about redwood forest. For years i've always wanted to go there. I live in Hamilton and there is a mountain bike club only a few ks from my place http://www.hamiltonmtb.org.nz/

Been meaning to get a long there and check it out.