Dig. Ride. Repeat
Words by Lester Perry
Images by Cameron MacKenzie & Jim Topliss
Name a sport more diverse than mountain biking. From downhill to cross-country, slopestyle to freeride – the list goes on. Each discipline demands its own unique blend of skill, fitness and creativity – yet for years, competition was the only viable way for riders to make a living, with no alternative to fall back on.
With the rise of social media, however, everything has changed. Riders were suddenly able to diversify and build their own platforms, allowing them to market themselves, promote the brands that support them, and even create their own in the process.
Flux Trail was an early adopter of this concept, leveraging their collective following and reputation to build a business with its own identity—one that combines their passion for digging and riding. Headed by Remy Morton, Jacob O’Donoghue-Price and David McMillan, this group of friends set out to fill a gap in the market while still carving their own lane in the culture, embracing the digger-rider lifestyle that has helped them to continue their careers as professional athletes.
Remy Morton’s life has revolved around bikes from the very beginning. He started racing BMX at just three years old and quickly became a prodigy. His weekends were soon spent chasing races up and down the east coast of Australia, dominating the competition at every turn. In his spare time, he began digging jumps and trails in the backyard, always looking for ways to go bigger. The backyard acted as a training ground for Remy but also allowed him to hone his own style as a rider. His passion was so infectious that even his father, Jim, got himself a bike just to keep up with the fun. Remy’s love for riding soon led him to downhill racing where, at just 11 years old, he made such an impression that the state championships had to create a new category just so he could compete. This is where Remy flourished. No longer just trying to outpace his older brother at local races, he soon found himself in Europe, competing against some of the best at World Cups. He stood out not only for his impressive results but also for his relaxed signature style on the bike, quickly becoming a favorite of the media on the track. In 2017, Remy’s love for big air and wanting to push his own limits found him at Loosefest, a freeride event in Belgium. Unfortunately, Remy overshot one of the final features on the course, resulting in a career- altering crash. The injuries he sustained meant that pursuing racing was no longer an option.
After taking some time to reflect on the accident, Remy packed up and moved to Queenstown to reset himself. He had always aspired to be the best rider he could be but, without racing, he wasn’t sure what that would look like moving forward. Inspired by the likes of Nico Vink, Loosefest founder and former World Cup racer, Remy used the social media following he’d gained from racing, along with his passion for digging, to grow a framework where he could balance creating riding content and building trails to make a living. Recognising an untapped niche in the content space, Remy began to market himself as a ‘bike park’ rider, creating edits and content for social media while simultaneously gaining more professional digging experience. In 2019, with the help of Tom Hey, Remy had the opportunity to join the Elevate Trail crew, contributing to the Crankworx Innsbruck build. While he was over in Europe, he also had the chance to work on the Loosefest build with Nico and the crew. Not only did he get redemption by riding at the same venue where he had his accident, but he also walked away with the King of Loosefest Award.
It didn’t take long for sponsors to take notice of this new lane he was carving for himself, most notably with Remy securing a deal with Red Bull in 2020. However, it wasn’t enough for him to stop working. When Covid hit, like many of us, he found himself rethinking the future. Over a few beers, he and Jacob O’Donoghue-Price brainstormed ways to fund the lifestyle they had always dreamed of. The result? Flux Trail. They set out with a goal to elevate the quality of trails in New Zealand, inspired by the world-class tracks Remy had ridden in bike parks in Europe and Canada. The timing couldn’t have been better, with several trail network expansions planned for the Queenstown area, it was the perfect moment to knuckle down and go for it. While both had trail-building experience and Jacob having worked on the Skyline Bike Park trail crew, neither had any idea about how to run a business. They also had to learn how to operate machinery themselves, as hiring an operator wasn’t feasible. Finding labor was never a challenge, however, as they could always rely on their extended group of friends to hop on board to tackle any project at hand.
One of the first to join them was David McMillan, a close friend with a similar upbringing to Remy. He’d also spent much of his youth building not- so-legal trails and jumps around his home just outside of Canberra. Dave had always dreamed of turning biking into a career which, like Remy, led him down the racing path. Competing in World Cups, he dedicated years to chasing the circuit but eventually realised his speed wasn’t quite at the level needed to win races. Rather than stepping away, he shifted his mindset—if he couldn’t win the race, he’d try to win the practice sessions by drawing as much media attention as he could. This, along with filming videos for the VANZACS brand, kept sponsors engaged and eager to continue working with Dave. However, he too found himself needing extra income to maintain a comfortable life. Wanting to stay in the industry and seeing the opportunities that trail building can bring, he bought into the company and became a co-owner of Flux Trail. Already knowing Remy from their time in the racing scene, and Jacob from summers spent in Queenstown, it was a perfect fit.
In 2021, the crew was approached by Red Bull to do a build for a video project with Remy; Seven Days and 7k. They were tasked with building a ‘DHT’-style trail from scratch, which would later be donated to Boomerang Farm Bike Park, near where Remy grew up just outside of the Gold Coast. DHT is a style synonymous with Flux Trail, blending the flow of BMX trails with the larger air of downhill riding. This was the first real test for Flux, as they had never had to work within such a tight deadline and budget. Remy’s experience with digging in this environment allowed them to leverage his knowledge of the terrain, creating a trail that was not only thrilling to ride but also visually captivating for the audience. The boys knew they really had to rip in and, after seven grueling 14-hour days, the trail was complete–all that was left was to film the segment and enjoy the fruits of their labour. This opened their eyes to what the team was capable of, not only serving as the perfect first piece in their portfolio, but also providing reassurance that they could build high-quality individual features and seamlessly connect them into a functional and cohesive trail. Confident in what they had learned in Australia, Flux took on contracts to apply their unique approach to trail design, bringing their fresh perspective to the existing networks of Skyline and Cardrona Bike Parks. The team wanted riders to flow down trails as smoothly as water on a waterslide, drawing much of their inspiration from water parks such as Wet ‘n Wild. This is where the name ‘Flux’ comes from; representing the action or process of flowing.
Flux quickly started to make a name for themselves, but what truly set them apart from other trail crews was their ability to design and build custom trails—not just for their own film projects, but for other athletes as well. One of their most ambitious projects to date came when they were once again approached by Red Bull to create a tailor-made downhill track that matched the raw style of World Cup racer, Brook MacDonald. Not only was it a dream project to collaborate with someone the team had long admired, but it was also an opportunity to showcase Flux’s work on the world stage. It was the first top-to-bottom trail they had built on a raw hillside, but the opportunity to work on an iconic video was one that couldn’t be turned down. The boys may have been slightly out of their depth taking on a project of this size, but they believe that stepping into challenges like this is the best way to grow. The exposed hillside posed a significant challenge when it came to operating machinery, especially when factoring in unpredictable weather conditions and varying terrain, however, the ability to balance these challenges while still creating a product that seamlessly and sustainably integrates with the environment has become the cornerstone of their work. The trust athlete’s place in the trail’s safety and functionality is crucial, as they know the Flux crew draw on their own riding experience to design trails they would ride themselves. This formula continued to evolve with Flux Trail using these build projects as an effective way to market their services. They went on to work on builds for Harriet Burbidge-Smith and were even scouted to contribute to a segment in Brendan Fairclough’s Death Grip 2 movie. This served as a point of recognition for both the company and Dave, who was featured in the segment riding the very features he had built.
Flux Trail has come full circle, once again securing the contract for the Crankworx Cairns build in collaboration with World Trail. This time, they’re not designing a course for just one athlete, they’re creating multiple courses for over a hundred. With plenty of opinions to navigate, ever-changing plans, and the need to adapt on the fly, the team embraces the challenge while understanding the immense pressure that comes with a job like this. Millions of dollars are on the line with an event of this scale, meaning missing a deadline is not an option. Collaborating with a world- renowned organisation like World Trail allows them to learn from their years of experience in the industry, continuing to raise their own standards and pushing their limits as builders. Remy has always stood by his goal of changing sport, but he also wants to make a lasting impact on the trail-building industry. Seeing the results Flux has achieved, he and his team recognise the business model’s potential for the future. Their vision is to build an organisation at the forefront of an ever- evolving sport—one that brands can trust and return to for delivering the highest quality trails possible. All while progressing their own riding to become the riders they have always aspired to be.
Transitions: Jayden Fleming
Words by Lester Perry
Images by Cameron MacKenzie & Jim Topliss
From “riders ready, watch the gate” and chasing milliseconds on the velodrome, to dual slalom and front flips and cash-rolls, Jayden Fleming’s career on the bike has followed many paths. Having ridden for 18 years, he’s found his lane and it seems he’s only just beginning.
Life is about taking chances and seeing where a chosen path may lead. At age six, these decisions aren’t given much thought, and interest can bounce between ideas and activities multiple times a day — or even within a single hour. At just six years old, Jayden chanced upon an invite to a BMX ‘have a go’ session while talking to someone from his school.
‘‘I remember pretty clearly, I was walking home from school and someone next to me, who I didn’t know, had a flyer that their class had been given. He handed it to me and said; ‘‘Hey, do you want this?’’ I looked at it then took it home and showed mum. The flyer promised ‘three nights free’ or something, and my mum agreed we’d go down. So I went along — and found love straight away. My sister was doing gymnastics at the time and mum said, ‘‘hey, you can do this too, but you’ve got to quit gymnastics’’ — thinking there’s no way she would do that. But, she did. And that’s how it became a pretty cool little family affair,’’ explains Jayden.
“BMX is such a family sport, and you see it with so many families. The whole family’s involved; very rarely is it just one child. We ended up spending all of our weekends together, going away, travelling and going to races. It was super cool to be involved in such a family sport. I can’t think of too many others where the whole family is at an event together. Normally, you might get one kid off to rugby while the other is going to netball. So, that’s something pretty special—not just with BMX, but bikes in general.”
By 2009 (aged nine), BMX led Jayden to trans-Tasman racing, firstly at the ‘Track Attack’ in Melbourne. Six races, over nine days, on six different race tracks. “That was a really cool way to touch the edges of what international racing was. I’m still friends with some of those guys I met then who kept on riding and, obviously, with social media and stuff now, I’ve kept those friends along the way.” Later that year, he competed in his first World Champs in Adelaide.
These early international races gave Jayden a taste for travel, and he knew he wanted more. He went on to race at the World Cup level, his BMX career taking him to more than a dozen countries. While preparing to race at the Grand Nationals, the USA’s biggest race meet, he crashed and smashed his wrist to pieces. Nine hours under the surgeon’s knife and 17 pieces of metal later, he began his build back to racing.
Once school was behind him, Jayden moved from Auckland to Cambridge in the quest to chase the highest accolades in BMX.
The NZ North Island BMX Championships in 2018 triggered another transition for Jayden. He took his first Elite win at the event, riding high, happy with his performance and enjoying his time on the bike… until his luck ended. “I had a silly crash on a pump track in Cambridge where I just looped out and put my leg out. I’d never done it before, but my knee kind of stretched and popped, and I was like, ‘I guess that’s what a ruptured ACL feels like’. And lo and behold, it was. I did my ACL, MCL, and meniscus,” says Jayden.
Eleven years of hard graft chasing the BMX dream came to a halt and, once his knee was put back together, his focus shifted to getting back to the pointy end of the sport.
With surgery complete, and unable to ride BMX during recovery, Jayden’s eyes were opened to some of the other cycling on offer in the Cambridge area, and he began riding on the Velodrome to help regain strength and fitness. “I got pretty hooked into that and eventually got invited into the track development space there. I got into it because, at the time, I wasn’t training with many people. I was still training with people now and again, but a lot of it was by myself on the BMX. I loved the whole community aspect that track gave me at the time, where everyone was training together all the time in one space. It was really social and, at the time, it felt like there was more opportunity and support to pursue track cycling from the governing body than BMX had.”
The NZ BMX High-Performance program disbanded in 2016, leaving riders scraping together their coaching, support, and funding. With no firm development pathway to the top tier in BMX from the governing body, track cycling provided Jayden with an avenue to chase his dreams of being the best in the world. “I could never realistically see myself winning Olympic medals or being the best of the best. But, to me, becoming a pro cyclist was something that I saw as potentially achievable – and a goal that I wanted to pursue.”
Jayden spent time at the ‘Regional Track Hub’, a short-lived program created to identify and develop young talent and prepare them for the High-Performance squad and, ultimately, Olympic medals.
“A lot of the people from that program have gone on to the Olympics, and a lot of people have medals. We are all really grateful for what it was, but I think we’re missing it now – that space is gone, obviously, with funding issues.”
In October of 2021, on the freshly laid asphalt of Cambridge’s Velosolutions pump track, Jayden raced in the Red Bull Pump Track World Champs qualifier event. He turned heads immediately, partly for racing in a road cycling helmet, but more for his raw power and speed. Although he’d not been on the BMX much before the event, his natural talent shone, and he mixed it with the purist BMX racers to finish third in a tightly fought battle.
“I’d still get my BMX bike out every now and then. I’d go to a gates night, but only once a month or so, and then come back just for national champs. That would have been early 2021.”
As impressive as he was on the Velodrome, Jayden’s time on the boards ended abruptly. The national track coach at that time took Jayden to a pub and sat him down: “You’re the wrong body type, you’re fully developed, you’re not going to go any faster, you’re not going to go to the Olympics; you should quit.” He explained that he’d be better suited to downhill MTB racing than track cycling.
“At the time, it was pretty brutal and not what I wanted to hear. I thought my hopes and dreams were all over, but now, looking back on it, he was trying to help me.”
After just two years of rapid progression, Jayden’s time on the track looked to be coming to an end and with no firm goals or plans ahead, Jayden felt he was a bit of a lost cause, struggling to figure out what direction to take his cycling. “I had this old crappy BMX bike that I’d had for years, and I kind of just started riding that and having fun. It was real interesting trying to learn new things.”
While still deciding if he was entirely done with track cycling, Jayden sat down with current Olympian, Sam Dakin, to try and get some clarity and answer the question; “where to from here?”
“He sat me down and said; ‘Why do we do the sport?’ And he went through this really cool explanation. ‘We do it for that six-second euphoric feeling when you win a race. How often have you felt that way with track?’ And I was like; ‘well, once or twice in the past year and a half.’ In my mind, it all clicked. I had just felt that same feeling three times in the past week learning these new tricks.”
Crankworx was six months down the road; so, toward the end of 2021, Jayden set his sights on climbing the freestyle MTB competition ladder, hoping for an entry to speed-and-style. “At the time, I could do a flip and that was about it. If I could get an entry to speed and style at Rotorua, that would keep me busy for six months.” Next up was to find a bike worthy of the task. In stepped Tim White (OG BMX and MTB industry player), who plugged Jayden into the ILABB team and connected him with Marin Bikes, who took a punt on him; an as-yet unproven quantity with big MTB dreams.
The weather played havoc with course conditions at the 2021 Crankworx Rotorua, or “Wetworx” as many dubbed it. Slalom was a tough pill to swallow as Jayden and many others battled what had become a slippery slide of a course. The result was one he’d forget, and a steep learning curve – but consistent results at the remaining Crankworx Rotorua events and Crankworx NZ Summer Series – led him to a complete the 2022 World Tour, circumnavigating the globe for the first time, gaining valuable experience in the big leagues. Although satisfying his wanderlust, the season left him wanting more.
Crankworx Whistler, in 2022, remains a highlight of Jayden’s cycling career as he slayed the pump-track competition to take third place. On a track not unlike a BMX track, four athletes raced each other side-by-side on a four-lane, 110m straight-line course. The top two progressed to the next round, and the bottom two were sent packing.
“The medal I got in Whistler was super special because there was a year’s journey to get there – and I didn’t expect to get there – but everything kind of clicked on the day. I’d qualified first, got the fastest lap of the day… and got a medal! But I knew why I had moved to mountain biking, and the reason I was there was for speed and style. That’s what interests me. That’s what I wanted to learn. That’s what I wanted to do. So that medal wasn’t completely fulfilling. It was awesome but, internally, I just wanted to do well at speed and style.”
However, unfortunately Whistler’s Speed and Style didn’t go to plan, and Jayden was out early due to a mistake in his run.
Come 2023, not long after he was the first person to throw a massive double backflip on Queenstown’s recently revamped and upsized ‘Dream Track’ jumps, Jayden put his experience and passion for all things cycling into a new job. He joined Velobike (track cycling parts specialists) as the operations and sales lead at their Cambridge base, becoming a ‘Jack of all trades’ for the small business.
His 2024 season results confirmed that Speed and Style were indeed his strengths. Focused preparation and practice meant his bag of tricks was all but overflowing and, when combined with the speed and race craft from his years as a BMXer, he became a threat at any Speed and Style competition he put his mind to.
“I spent the last year (2024) putting my absolute heart and soul into it (Speed and Style). I was struggling in it, but I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I spent all year just focusing on front flips and double flips because I knew those were the two tricks I wanted to do. Staying in Cambridge, not getting distracted and just focusing on trying to be fast and smooth. And I went from qualifying 25th, 23rd, around the mid-20s, to qualifying fourth, third and second at last year’s rounds, which was cool for me. It goes back to what the sport’s about; following the journey and getting there.”
His season began with ninth place in Rotorua, and then he backed up by fifth placings in Cairns and Innsbruck. Unfortunately, his world tour was cut short due to a wrist injury, meaning he would miss the pinnacle event and one he’d done well at before: Crankworx Whistler. “I was in Europe at the time, so I stayed and watched the Olympics. I didn’t feel comfortable going all the way to Canada when I had a half-ass wrist. I didn’t feel like I would be riding my best.”
Once his wrist was ready, October 2024 saw yet another diversion for Jayden as he conquered the Whaka 100 XC Marathon. “The Whaka was awesome. I went and watched a mate do it last year, and I guess I just got bored and thought, you know what – 100k on a mountain bike; it’s a big effort, but it’d be really cool. A fun thing to say you’ve done. I think it’s a little bit like the Coast-To-Coast – it’s a very Kiwi thing. It would be so awesome to say that you’ve done the Coast-To-Coast, but I feel as far as a mountain biking event in New Zealand, the Whaka’s the equivalent. Yeah, I don’t say prestigious, but quite a well-known cool thing to do. It was awesome to get out there and do it.” Followers of the Marin Bikes Instagram account tracked Jayden’s Whaka experience as he live updated throughout his nine-plus hours out on the course.
Late in 2024, Crankworx World Tour promoters emailed athletes announcing they would discontinue Speed and Style competitions and replace them with a ‘mystery event’ at the 2025 Cairns Crankworx event. Jayden felt lost and unsure about what his season might look like now that his favourite event had been shelved, and he had minimal information on what would replace it.
With big plans for the upcoming year, Jayden filed his resignation with Velobike, packed his life into his car and drove to Queenstown to immerse himself in the thick of the MTB scene and take on an operations role with Ilabb.
The 2025 Christchurch Crankworx Summer Series was announced for February, and Jayden marked it in his calendar. Initially focussed on the pump track, after chatting to a few mates, the Slope Style competition got on his radar and he managed to secure an entry to what would be his first FMBA gold-level slopestyle event.
“I got the confirmation of a wild card at the end of December. So I had about six weeks to get ready. I had put a lot of work into cash rolls, which I really wanted to land, and I had landed a handful on airbags, but didn’t have them dialled enough! The biggest hurdle was learning a new mindset for a slope comp and being able to chill out kinda and take it jump by jump. All I had known beforehand was races and to bash my way to the bottom as fast as I could.”
The lessons learned from his time in the track program were again put to use, this time in his competition plan for the Christchurch Summer Series. Each practice and competition day was pre-planned in his phone’s Notes app, leaving his mind free to focus purely on the task at hand rather than when and where he should eat lunch. Unfortunately, even with meticulous planning, hiccups can occur. Practise morning came, and a minor infection in his finger had spread up his arm. The onsite medic suggested he go to the hospital for IV antibiotics, meaning he would miss the first practice. Not the ideal lead into a Slope Style event, but if there’s one thing Jayden can deal with, it’s adversity.
“Going into my run, I still hadn’t done the double flip on the middle jump, or my cash roll down the bottom, but I kind of just backed myself. Obviously the double flip worked, but the cash roll didn’t. But, I’d rather go all in and give everything I have and crash, than do a safe run and be like, oh shit, I wish I’d done more, you know? So, really cool. All the dudes are super friendly. I’m kind of hooked now. Like, it got more exciting the more prepared I felt. On the morning of the comp, I was shitting myself, I was so scared.
“I’ve never considered myself a proper trick or slope-style guy. But hey, an opportunity came up to put my name forward for a wild card, and I happened to get it. So I’ll go give that everything I’ve got. Before I even got into the sport, Nikolai (Rogatkin) and Eric (Fedko) and Lucas and all those guys were my idols. So, to be riding practice and competing against them is pretty cool for me, and doing it in New Zealand was pretty special; anytime we get to compete in New Zealand is sick.”
For 2025, Jayden continues to rack up air miles, again taking on the Crankworx World Tour, this time as part of Martha Gills’ ‘Lucid MTB’ team, created to support selected riders in chasing their MTB dreams. Jayden continues with previous sponsors Marin, Leatt and Ilabb, with other team sponsors adding to the roster, including Hope, Deity, Marzzocchi, Microshift, Ride Concepts and WTB.
The tour kicks off in March with Crankworx Rotorua, where he’ll be hitting the Pump Track, Whip Off, and rolling the dice at the Best Trick competition. Once Rotorua is in the bag, he’ll be back on the road again, returning to the USA, just as he did as a youngster chasing the BMX dream. Only this time, however, he’ll have a mountain bike in tow for the Sea Otter Festival, competing across Dual Slalom, Enduro and Downhill instead of listening to; “riders ready, watch the gate” on the BMX start hill.
Bosch CX-R: The Most Powerful eMTB Motor Yet
Words: Liam Friary
Images: Supplied
When Bosch says they’ve built their most powerful eMTB motor ever, you sit up and take notice. The new Performance Line CX-R isn’t just another incremental upgrade – it’s a proper beast that’s been designed with one thing in mind: unleashing pure trail energy.
As someone who’s spent plenty of time on eMTBs, I’m always curious when a major player like Bosch drops something completely new into the mix. And the CX-R definitely feels like a departure from their usual approach. While previous Bosch motors have been known for their reliability and smooth power delivery, this one’s clearly been built for riders who want to push harder and go faster.
The numbers alone tell quite a story. We’re talking 100Nm of torque, 750W of power, and support of up to 400% of your pedal input. That’s seriously impressive stuff, and puts it right up there with some of the most powerful motors on the market. But what really caught my attention was how Bosch has approached the whole package – it’s not just about raw power.
Two New Modes That Actually Make Sense
The standout feature for me is the exclusive Race mode. This is clearly aimed at riders who want immediate, uncompromising power delivery. When you’re picking your way through technical terrain or need that instant boost out of a tight corner, the Race mode doesn’t mess around. It gives you full assistance right up to maximum speed, with what Bosch calls “Extended Boost” for those moments when you’re wrestling with big rocks or gnarly root sections.
What’s clever is that they’ve also introduced an eMTB+ mode that sits between their existing eMTB setting and the new Race mode. This feels like Bosch acknowledging that not everyone wants to be pinned back in their seat every time they touch the pedals. The eMTB+ mode includes something called Dynamic Control – essentially a kind of traction control system that keeps things manageable even when the terrain gets loose or steep.
Both modes can be fine-tuned through Bosch’s eBike Flow app, which is something I really appreciate. Being able to customize how your motor responds to different situations makes a huge difference when you’re trying to dial in the perfect setup for your riding style.
Built Like a Proper Race Machine
The materials spec on the CX-R reads like a who’s who of high-end engineering. We’re talking aerospace-grade stuff here – magnesium housing, titanium crank spindle, and ceramic ball bearings. All of this adds up to a motor that weighs just 6 pounds, which is pretty impressive when you consider the power it’s putting out.
What I find interesting is that Bosch has clearly spent time with top-level athletes during development. You can see this in the attention to detail – things like the decoupled drivetrain that reduces mechanical noise when you’re descending, and the advanced sensor technology that measures your pedal input up to a thousand times per second.
The Tech That Makes It Work
Speaking of sensors, this is where things get really interesting from a technical perspective. The CX-R uses inertial measurement units (IMUs) that track acceleration and rotation in six dimensions, plus inclination and tilt angles. Essentially, the motor knows exactly what the bike is doing at any given moment and can adjust power delivery accordingly.
This kind of sophisticated sensor tech means the motor can deliver power precisely when and where you need it – whether that’s a punchy acceleration out of a switchback, a controlled start on slippery surfaces, or sustained power on steep technical climbs.
What This Means for eMTB Riding
The CX-R feels like Bosch’s answer to the ongoing debate about full-power versus lightweight eMTBs. Rather than compromising on either front, they’ve tried to build something that gives you serious power while still maintaining the kind of responsive, lively feel that makes eMTBs fun to ride.
The fact that it’s launching with an exclusive Race mode suggests they’re specifically targeting riders who want to push boundaries – whether that’s in actual competition or just personal progression on challenging trails. At the same time, the eMTB+ mode with its Dynamic Control system shows they haven’t forgotten about riders who want that power delivered in a more manageable way.
The Bottom Line
While we’ll have to wait until fall 2025 to see the first bikes with the CX-R in shops, this feels like a significant step forward for Bosch. They’ve clearly been listening to feedback from serious eMTB riders who wanted more power and more control over how that power is delivered.
Whether the CX-R lives up to its impressive spec sheet will ultimately come down to how it feels on the trail. But based on what Bosch has achieved with their previous motors, and the clear focus on performance and customization with this one, it could well be the motor that sets the new benchmark for what a serious eMTB should be capable of.
For riders who’ve been waiting for that perfect combination of power, control, and refinement, the CX-R might just be worth the wait.
Southern Comfort: Ōtepoti Dunedin
Words by Nathan Petrie
Images by Cameron MacKenzie
Despite being spoilt for choice when it comes to riding trip destinations in New Zealand, it can be hard to resist the pull of the Big Three: Queenstown, Nelson and Rotorua.
But, giving in to temptation can sometimes lead you to miss out on the great riding and memorable moments that come with seeing what else is out there. Oftentimes, it’s the trips to somewhere a bit different that deliver some of the best riding trip memories.
So, the question for us was; could we sneak in one last riding trip before summer was out? And, if we could, should we venture outside the norm and explore something different? With the sun rapidly setting on another summer of riding, it was time to tap into the unconventional and head south in search of something unique.
The destination of choice would be the South Island’s second largest city, Dunedin. It’s a place we’d all visited beforehand, to partake in something Dunedin has a rich history of: racing. However, just like going to the same old riding destination, racing only lets you catch a glimpse of what can be found when it comes to local trails. So, this time, we’d be off the clock and free to explore what Dunedin has to offer – both on and off the bike.
As a starting point for exploration of the riding on offer in Dunedin, it’s hard to go past the OG location of Signal Hill. Steeped in as much history as the streets you’ll traverse to get there from the city centre, Signal Hill’s a place that can’t really be missed.
Despite the history, the days of rolling past the back of the high school to a waiting shuttle vehicle for another lap down the famed downhill track are long gone. Now the extensive network of trails that have been carved into the hill are easily accessible via the purpose- built uphill trail; the Emerson’s Big Easy.
The climb lets riders access trails from the midpoint at The Plateau, the iconic Signal Hill summit, and a range of places in between. This easy climbing access, combined with the number of trails packed into the area, gives riders plenty of options when it comes to linking a run together.
A bit like the different access points on the way up, there’s a good range of trails on offer on the way down. While the original rocky Dunedin tech is never too far away, there’s also plenty of root laden goodness snaking through the natives, as well as some fast and flowy jumps.
With so much on offer, it’s easy to see why Signal Hill has been such a mainstay of Dunedin mountain biking and played a key role in national level races. The Otago Mountain Bike Club, with the help of supporters and sponsors such as Emerson’s, have put a lot into making Signal Hill a riding destination in itself—right on the doorstep of the central city.
This ongoing support for the local mountain bike community makes it an easy choice to head down to the Emerson’s brewery for a post ride refuel. Conveniently located between Signal Hill and the city centre, the brewery provides great beer and mountains of delicious food in an atmospheric setting. With plenty of seating both inside and out, as well as some brewery exclusives on tap, it’s an ideal place to unwind post-ride. Swapping stories from a day out on the trails and enjoying the relaxed and inviting atmosphere is a great way to round out the day.
While it’s always good to get some laps in at an expanded classic like Signal Hill, there’s plenty more on offer when it comes to Dunedin’s riding spots. A great example of this is the ever-expanding network at Whare Flat, located on the northwestern side of town. While it currently features less trails than Signal Hill, spread out over a larger area, they’re well connected by the series of gravel logging roads throughout the forest.
Once again, there’s a mix of trails to check out, from lower gradient rocky trails to steeper, root-filled trails with some fun corners and chutes. There are also a number of trails that make great use of some of the more unique features and terrain on offer in Whare Flat. From the gully, traversing turns and grade reversals on Instant Classic, to the stomach-drop-inducing rock roll on Karearea, you’re guaranteed to come away with some memories from a ride out here.
While stopping by local bike store, Off the Chain Cycles, for some supplies and a chat, we heard how this ever-growing network of trails came to be. Despite trails of some form always being present at Whare Flat, the level of development has been on the rise in recent years. A share of this comes from the location’s more recent inclusion in the Otepoti Enduro (formerly the 3 Peaks Enduro), and Signal Hill nearing capacity with trails. With some great terrain and features on offer, and a good network of roads to link things together, it’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for Whare Flat.
Going back to the Otepoti Enduro, another location that offers something a bit different is Nicols Creek. Located up in the Leith Valley and surrounded by lush native bush, Nicols Creek gives you the feeling of being immersed in nature while still being only a stone’s throw away from the city. The trails here have featured heavily in the Otepoti/3 Peaks enduros over the years and it’s easy to see why. A well graded climbing trail leads you up through the bush to an open viewpoint at the top of the descent. From here, you can either head back down or carry on up the remaining two-way track to the tussock and flax-covered tops – and an even more outstanding view of the city below.
After taking in the view and rolling back down the two-way track to the lower viewpoint, things start to get interesting as you drop into the main Nicols Enduro descent. Aside from a couple of brief stretches in the open, and a pocket of pine forest, you’re treated to an eventful descent through the dense native bush. The trail provides a long run down to the valley below and, being nestled underneath the dense canopy with plenty of leaf cover means it holds a decent amount of moisture. When you add in the serpentine roots snaking their way across the trail, you can be in for a bit of a challenge as you make your way down. Despite this, runs like these can be the highlight of a riding trip – provided everyone makes it down in passable shape!
Despite having a bit of distance between them, the lower number of trails at Whare Flat and Nicols Creek means it is possible to ride both in the same day. This ability to ride varied trails in completely different settings is something that’s not easily found in a lot of riding destinations.
After a day of sampling that much of the riding, it only makes sense to make your way back into town to sample some more of the eateries on offer in Dunedin. This time it was Moons, located on the south side of Dunedin’s famed Octagon, in the city centre. Moons taps into a bit of a common theme in Dunedin: amazingly restored historic buildings with stone and orange brick interior. Like many eateries in Dunedin, Moons does a great job sourcing a lot of their ingredients and products from smaller local suppliers. On top of this, they also brew their own beer in-house under the Dog Star label and use house-made dough in their ‘pizzettas’. Drawing on that quest for something different, you’ll be able to try out some of the more unique offerings on the menu – like the crumbed gherkins and charred tandoori octopus. With its diverse menu and great service, Moons is well worth a visit after a day’s riding.
The kind of quality, diversity and local influence isn’t just confined to Moons when it comes to eateries in Dunedin. That’s one thing you’ll notice if you do venture south for a riding trip; the hospitality options are a bit like the trails—diverse and easy to access. Whether it’s a pre-ride breakfast at The Perc, a between-ride fuel up at Beam Me Up Bagels or a post-ride unwind at Moons or Emerson’s, Dunedin’s got you pretty well covered.
After fitting in three of Dunedin’s main riding spots in our short trip, the biggest thing that stood out to us about this great southern location was probably the diversity and convenient access. With Nicols Creek, Whare Flat and Signal Hill all within a 5-15 minute drive from Dunedin’s iconic Octagon, you’re never really faced with a huge commute to access a diverse range of riding. Signal Hill is especially convenient and would be considered within riding distance from most accommodation spots in the CBD. While Whare Flat—and to a lesser degree, Nicols Creek—are easier to access by car, they’re still pretty convenient and you can easily ride both in the same day, as we did.
All three spots offer riders something different, both within and between all three of them. While there is still a bit of a common thread with more technical trails having a big presence in each location, there are also options for a good range of riders. Each spot has pretty good climbing access too, so whether you’re cutting around like us on our Specialized Levo’s (more on that later), or spinning the legs on a regular bike, it won’t be a one-and-done affair.
When it comes to thinking about your next riding trip, consider whether it might be time to switch things up a bit from the usual locations of choice. Try venturing somewhere a bit outside the norm and seeing what else is on offer out there. With its mix of trail styles, locations, features and foliage, Dunedin’s got a good range of options to pick from. Couple that with all of the trail locations lying pretty close to the city centre and you can access a lot of variety at multiple spots in a days’ riding. Add in the great food, culture, and some stunningly renovated accommodation options, and you’ve got the makings of an ideal riding destination.
Stay The Thomas Gregg Apartments
Eat Bakery on Bond, Big Lizard, Beam Me Up Bagels, Emmersons, Maggie’s, Moons
Ride Nicols Creek, Signal Hill, Whare Flat
Shop Off the Chain Cycles (local intel)
Trail Fund(s) tools for trails
Words Meagan Robertson
Images Lisa Ng
Talk about the gift that keeps giving! Thanks to Trail Fund’s recent Tools for Trails funding round, 30 Weapons of Mass Creation will help ten clubs continue their hard work creating and maintaining their local masterpieces. Read more on a few clubs and their plans below!
Since it was founded in 2013, Trail Fund NZ has been helping volunteer trail building groups around the country establish themselves and their trail networks by gifting grants, ebarrows and other tools. This Christmas, ten trail building teams up and down the country will have more tools in their sheds to further develop the amazing network of mountain bike trails around New Zealand.
“Tools are truly the gift that keep on giving, so we’re super stoked to support these clubs—large and small—with trail building and maintenance support,” says Trail Fund NZ co-president, John Humphrey. “It’s really about supporting the volunteers out there choosing to spend their time trail building – they are the ones behind the incredible trail network that has been developed in New Zealand, and that so many of us enjoy.”
The Swiss army knife of trail tools To make the application process simple, Trail Fund decided the tool of choice would be the New Zealand-made ‘Weapon of Mass Creation’—touted as the Swiss army knife of hand built trail tools, made by product designer and trail builder, Gareth Hargreaves.
“I’m a big supporter of Trail Fund and was more than happy to offer the tools at a discounted rate to get them into the hands of trail builders around the country,” says Gareth, who is a longtime member of the advisory board.
It turns out the clubs were pretty excited about the idea too, with Trail Fund receiving ten applications for the Weapon of Mass Creation (WMC) tools on offer from a wide variety of groups. Keen to see all the deserving recipients get some tools, Trail Fund decided to go big and grant each trail building group between two and four tools!
Read more about the recipients below….
Mākara Peak Supporters—Wellington
Established by Wellington City Council in 1998, Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park boasts the largest trail network in the lower North Island and has had an exciting year celebrating the 25th anniversary of the park.
“The Mākara Peak Supporters are super stoked to receive three WMC tools from Trail Fund in their latest tool round,” says Mākara Peak Supporters member, Andrew Cooper. “It caps a great year for the Mākara Peak MTB Park—with 2024 being our 25th anniversary and being announced as the best park in the country for 2024 by Recreation Aotearoa – a fantastic acknowledgement of our collaboration with Wellington City Council.
“The WMC tools have been a mainstay of our trail building and maintenance mahi over many years and some of them are starting to feel their age. With a pipeline of refurbishments and new trail builds coming up at Mākara Peak, it will be fantastic to restock the armoury with these new tools.”
Bike Methven—Canterbury
Based in Methven, and only a 10-minute drive from Mt Hutt, Bike Methven has a mixture of cross-country, enduro and downhill mountain bikers, as well as road cyclists, who are passionate about their riding.
The club’s home base, Mt Hutt Bike Park has more than 40km of XC, downhill and singletrack trails and is looking forward to hosting the 2025 and 2026 South Island Secondary MTB Champs.
“All the tracks we are racing will need some love this season,” says club chair, Stu Marr. “We have a number of young pinners keen to get involved and get their hands dirty doing some of this work, so it’s awesome to be a recipient of four of these tools!”
In addition to prepping all the trails for the champs, Bike Methven’s latest projects are extending the intermediate level tracks around the lower part of the Bike Park and a UCI spec BMX track in Central Methven.
Mountainbike Tauranga—Tauranga
A first time Trail Fund recipient and the host of the 2025 North Island Secondary MTB Champs, Mountainbike Tauranga is thrilled to receive three Weapons of Mass Creation to help make its current major projects at Oropi Grove a reality.
A mountain biker’s playground, Oropi Grove is Tauranga’s longest serving mountain bike park. Located on Tauranga City Council land, it includes cross-country, downhill and freeride terrain featuring a variety of purpose-built jumps and drops and ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 6. The projects currently underway include a skills development park and a Grade 4 downhill track.
“The skills area will be a focal point of the park—an area where riders of all abilities can practice their skills, and organised mountain bike lessons can take place,” says Mountainbike Tauranga committee member, Shannon Fisken.
“The new Grade 4 downhill track is a requirement for hosting all three disciplines (XC, Enduro and DH) at the 2025 North Island Secondary MTB Champs. It’s already been professionally designed and our team of volunteers will assist our professional trail builder to ensure the project is completed in a timely and cost-effective way.
“These awesome new tools will be useful on a weekly basis for our committed Thursday night crew, and at our regular working bees prior to events. Thanks Trail fund!”
Other recipients include:
Richmond Hill Trail Carvers – Nelson region
Raglan Mountainbiking Cub – Waikato
Queenstown Mountain Bike Club – Otago
Mountain Bikers of Alexandra – Otago
Nelson Mountain Bike Club – Nelson region
Silvan Forest – Nelson region
Kerikeri Mountain Bike Club – Northland
Samara Sheppard: Ups and downs
Words Lester Perry
Images Phillip Sage
For over ten years, Samara Sheppard has been quietly going about her business, making moves and climbing the global off-road racing ranks.
From Wellington PNP races and NZ National Series events, to U23 XCO World Cups and Marathon World Championships, her career up until 2024 had been primarily based around mountain biking. The new year brought a change in focus and renewed motivation, prompted by a maiden voyage at the ABSA Cape Epic and a run at the US-based Lifetime Grand Prix series.
Born in Clyde, Central Otago, Samara’s family moved to Wellington in her fourth year. Raised in an active family, she was destined to become an athlete of some sort. “My dad was into adventure racing and endurance events like the Coast to Coast and Ironman. My brother also took to cycling but steered more towards downhill racing, as well as rugby. We mostly all ran cross- country. Mum would taxi us around. My sister, a brilliant swimmer and very intelligent—she often found smarter ways to spend her time.”
Not one to be pigeonholed into a single sport, Samara “played every sport under the sun and particularly enjoyed gymnastics from a young age, then onto netball, soccer and cross-country running”. In years to come, this excitement for running would ultimately open the door to mountain biking for her.
“I had a lot of energy as a kid and was able to channel this into gymnastics. But, as I was getting older and other sports like netball and soccer became available, gymnastics was becoming a full-time sport. I quit gymnastics to try out new things. I remember some Saturdays when I was around 12 years old; I would have soccer first thing, then a game of netball, then a running race, and then dance practice. Hardly surprising that I developed a taste for endurance sports!”
After being sidelined by a running injury, Samara’s father steered her toward mountain biking as a way to stay sane. “Once I discovered how awesome it was to adventure through Wellington’s hills and around NZ, I was hooked. I started racing straight away in the local PNP club events and loved the buzz.”
School life provided two critical things for Samara: socialisation—she wanted to hang out with her friends all day—and the schoolwork satisfied her competitive spirit.
“I always found maths easy, and I treated the work like a race, always trying to be the first to complete the work with accuracy. I think I still have the record at Churton Park School for quickest to complete the basic facts sheets.”
By high school, when she could choose her own subjects, MTB had started to rule her existence: “I chose to do the minimum subjects needed to pass NCEA so I could spend more time riding my bike.”
“My first seasons racing XCO in Europe as U23 were pretty exciting—getting to explore the world and racing against the best there is. The people you get to spend time with, new experiences, and the racing buzz is always rewarding. This year is exciting because it’s a whole new scene (to me) racing in the US, but it’s an easy one to navigate as it’s an English-speaking country and where the industry gets behind privateer riders. It’s really exciting to work with some of the best brands in the business and challenge myself in various off-road race formats.”
Although Samara continues to compete globally, the inspiration to keep pushing herself comes from those closest to her: “I’m inspired by my dad, the ‘old boys’ in Wellington, and the riders I’ve had the pleasure of competing against and riding with over the years. Today, my biggest influence comes from my husband, Kyle. He always keeps cycling fun and designs the best routes to ride. I’ve always raced well when I’m having fun. And Kyle has been a major influence for that over the past eight years.”
Many athletes appear one-dimensional, all- consumed by their pursuit of physical excellence, but Samara’s not one of them. Over the COVID lockdowns, with borders closed and racing paused, many cyclists took the opportunity to get a solid training block, emerging from the period fit and raring to go. Samara chose to further herself over the period and emerged with a master’s in public health. “I couldn’t leave our local government area, and there were no races. I was working part-time at a health clinic but was out of work with all the restrictions. I decided I needed a challenge and was motivated to get a reliable job through times like those. I was also aware of how lifestyles were becoming more sedentary and could see in the healthcare clinic the impacts that has. After the pandemic, I ended up taking on a role with Wollongong Tourism as a UCI Bike City Coordinator to help make cycling an easy option for people in the city.”
When US-based Argentinian racer Sofia Gómez Villafane was on the hunt for a 2024 teammate to try and reclaim the overall title she and Haley Batten (USA) won in 2022, Sofia’s 2023 teammate, Katerina Nash, suggested Samara could be a good fit. Both have similar backgrounds, transitioning from the short XCO discipline to the more endurance-focused marathon XC and gravel-style races. Sharing Specialized as a sponsor ticked the first box, and Samara’s palmares spoke for themselves: 6th at the 2023 MTB Marathon Worlds Champs, Oceania Marathon Champ, and NZ Champion, amongst other strong results; Sofia knew they were in for a strong performance. The southern hemisphere pair would take the start as an unknown quantity. Although this was to be Sofia’s fourth Cape Epic, it would be Samara’s first, and the pair hadn’t raced as partners before. South Africa wasn’t completely uncharted territory for Sheppard, however, as she’d raced the World Cup in Stellenbosch back in 2018. The pair ultimately finished 3rd at the Absa Cape Epic, Samara becoming the first Oceania rider to finish on the podium at this prestigious event.
Weeks later, the pair lined up for the Lifetime Grand Prix (LTGP) opening round at Sea Otter Classic, Monterey, California, racing head-to- head rather than as a team. Carrying strong form from the Cape Epic, Samara took the podium, finishing second, just behind Sofia—a solid start to the Life Time series. “I took confidence from Cape Epic and a deep strength in my legs which set me up for a perfect start to the LTGP. Backing this up with a result at Sea Otter helped secure more industry support that has made the rest of the LTGP possible.“
Taking on a series that not only covers a long time span but also criss-crosses the US, provides some unique challenges; her first LTGP series has thrown her some serious curveballs. “As a privateer, the initial challenge was securing enough support to do it. Then there’s the logistics of traveling around the US, which is just gigantic; navigating visas so we don’t overstay; and finding a home base in the US, as travelling back and forth wasn’t realistic. Races from April to October. Extremely long endurance events. High altitude prep.”
Fortunately, Samara was lucky to become part of the Orange Seal (OS) Academy, easing the financial strain and providing top-notch coaching support, working alongside ex-world- tour pro, Dennis van Winden. “Not only do they make excellent tyre sealant, OS also get behind riders and have created a community in the US with their OS Academy. If it weren’t for John, the owner of OS, and Dennis, the Academy lead, it wouldn’t have been possible to race the LTGP this year. I owe this season to their encouragement and support.”
The LTGP has been a significant learning experience. Unfortunately, some of the learnings have been to the detriment of her performance. The Leadville Trail 100 MTB race is renowned as one of the toughest races in the world. Over its 170km, the course covers a massive 3,600 metres of elevation gain, reaching a peak altitude of 3,800 metres—roughly the same as the peak of Aoraki Mt Cook. “Everyone responds differently to altitude. With two rounds of the LTGP being at high altitude, I made the call to come over to the US three weeks ahead of the first one to acclimatise. By the time Leadville came around, I had spent seven weeks at high altitude (around 2000m). It’s hard to feel good on the bike at altitudes above 3000m, so I would consider doing multiple smaller blocks next time around.”
“Coming into this season, I thought a 100km MTB race very long. Racing Leadville this year opened my mind to what it’s like to race all day. Well, for nearly eight hours, over the 170km MTB course. The longest race in the LTGP— Unbound—is 320km long. Unbound was my drop race this year because I couldn’t fathom how to race that far. After the race, I had a bit of FOMO, so I’ll be working on getting my head and body around racing for 320kms next season!
“Then there have been other challenges like a herniated disc in my back that flared up, getting bitten by a dog whilst out training, which sent me to hospital for ten stitches in my arm and a mighty dose of antibiotics, then recovering from a concussion after hitting my head on the ground racing SBT Gravel (non-LTGP race). The most challenging part remains—to achieve what I set out to do: I took on the LTGP because I believe I have what it takes to finish on the overall podium. The challenge remains to make it happen.”
Following SBT, the circus was off to Chequamegon, where she finished 10th and scored 7th place points (three non-LTGP riders in front of her). Samara was showing signs she was on the way back from her injuries and looking strong heading into the Marathon World Championship and the final two LTGP rounds.
Next up was to be the UCI World Championships in Snowshoe, West Virginia. Once again, luck wasn’t on her side. “It was my first ride on the Marathon Worlds course, and the course markings and .gpx files didn’t match up, so I was a bit lost. I’d found some friends to try to figure out the course with. It had been raining for a few days, so the trails were slippery. I was following one of my speedy friends down a technical section, and I didn’t see a small stump that I clipped my pedal on. I went over the bars and hit my knee hard on a rock slab, slicing it open, causing swelling and aggravating my bursa. It also triggered some concussion symptoms from a crash I’d had four weeks prior.”
“It was really sad to miss out on racing Worlds. I’ve loved the buzz of World Champs ever since I watched XC Worlds in Rotorua in 2006 and competed in my first World Champs in Scotland in 2007. It’s a special opportunity to represent your country and race the best in the world, chasing a rainbow jersey—a big goal of mine, especially after finishing 6th last year and 5th in 2019.”
Unfortunately, her injuries sidelined her for LTGP round six, The Rad Dirt Fest, so her focus shifted to the final round—Big Sugar in Bentonville, Arkansas. “This season has had its fair share of highs and lows. Dealing with so many injuries and setbacks in one season has been tough, especially since I took a break from work to compete in the U.S. The smaller setbacks, like being bitten by a dog and splitting my knee open, were relatively minor and straightforward. But the concussion has been a completely different challenge. Every concussion is unique, and people can only tell you to be patient and take your time. You just can’t push through symptoms like you can with other injuries. “I remind myself that there’s more in life I want to achieve, and for that, I need a healthy brain. I try to be kind to my body, not overthink things, and focus on what I can control—like getting enough sleep, eating well, and appreciating where I am. Having a strong support system with Orange Seal Academy, led by Dennis van Winden, who checks in every day and brings a wealth of data to guide decisions, has been a big help. Making a plan based on both data and intuition helps me stay positive and keep moving forward.”
Now in its third year, the LTGP has been refined and built on each successive season, but there’s still work to be done. “I don’t like how the women’s races are influenced by men who are racing on the course at the same time. It’s great that the pro women have their own start wave this year, but if the women could race on a clear course, that would make the racing safer and more fair.”
The LTGP is the largest offroad cycling series in the world, and even though the pointy end of the competition gets most of the media attention, all seven rounds of the series attracts thousands of everyday riders keen to toe the line against the pros. “It’s also super inviting for beginners to pro riders. Combining the LTGP with mass participant events creates a fun community buzz. The LTGP are doing great things to develop fandom, like with the incredible docos they release 48 hours after the race, the pro panel discussions, autograph signings and ways they promote their series.”
“Once the season is over, my focus will be on recovery and building toward 2025. I aim to come back even stronger and wiser. My goals are still big, with plans to return for LTGP in 2025 and tackle a mix of endurance and ultra-endurance gravel and mountain bike events. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Southern Legends: 100 years in one trip
Words & Images Jamie Nicoll
The St James area did not pull my strings until I bumped into Johno while on a bike launch assignment, checking out the new Hanmer Springs trails. My eyes were opened to yet another hidden world of magical riding and scenery to be treasured!
Johno is a pioneer of new trails and a visionary of our sport – in other words, he’s exactly the sort of person I try to find so I can tell their story. Johno works alongside Mark Ingles… yes, the legend himself. After losing his legs to frostbite in an alpine survival situation, Mark has gone on to inspire many generations through motivational talks and projects like this one; the development of the St James. This was to turn out to be a week of Kiwi legends! Johno and Mark are working together to breathe epic style into Hamner and the surrounding remote St James ranges. These ranges are steeped in history and the romance of a rugged life of working the land on horseback—and this is not just history but a present-day reality: I met a horseman out earning a crust through trapping and track maintenance.
This is a place where you can ride for miles and stay in huts; it’s basically an Old Ghost Road or Paparoa trail, except that it has always been there and therefore hasn’t received the marketing attention. All you need to do is look at a map, follow the dotted lines between huts and you are done; you have created your own hut-to-hut adventure on good trails and singletrack with epic views. This area sports a lot of good weather days too, which is worth noting in case you were planning to ride into the mist and rain elsewhere.
Now, I live in Motueka, and I like going places via routes less trodden, so I turned the key on the tried and tested, global-expedition-equipped Land Cruiser with a bike strapped to the back, and headed for the rough roads. From Blenheim, one can access a gravel road heading south 120 km through the Molesworth Station, NZ’s largest station, and the road to Hanmer Springs. The Molesworth road is gravel and remote but can be driven in any sensible car, and allows you to drop into the back of the Hanmer Springs township.
After two days of touring, we pulled the trucks up at Johno’s house for an evening of poring over maps. The next morning the plan unfolded, with Mark Ingles shuttling us out to the start of Fowlers Pass on the Rainbow Road while my trail building mate, Sam, and his brother, drove the two Land Cruisers into a side valley to set up a welcome camp at Scotties Flat hut.
Fowlers Pass has a lot going for it. It sits at 1296m altitude with a smooth singletrack climb and loads of promising and stunning terrain. This was the start of chasing Johno on his eBike for the day. With a good portion of the climb done, we rounded a corner and there was some real-life Kiwi-as-you-get, grey-bearded, Swandri-wearing, horse-packing dude cruising along beside his mount. His name was Sean. His horse has no name but carried the most basic of set ups, using sacks as saddlebags—I thought I’d hit my head and gone back in time! Sean spends 11 months of the year in the backcountry, trapping possums for fur and repairing trails so horses – and subsequently, bikes – can pass through unhindered. Sean is actively involved with a group that focuses on establishing and re-opening historic horse trails throughout the South Island. Man, did this guy blow my mind… legend!
Descending off the pass, tight schist-y singletrack turned and a smooth, narrow thread of trails snaked down the open landscape. This had me back in France, and the trails of the infamous Trans Provence race.
From a plateau meadowland, we peered down at Lake Guyon. Johno pointed out and explained more about the future trail development and links that will expand an already stellar array of backcountry and multi-day options. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure location. From the plateau, it was not far to the historic Stanley Vale Hut, dating back to the 1860s with remnants of wall paper and Mother Mary still hanging on the wall. I’d been told a story about some cyclists who had been snowed in at the hut, with Sean keeping them well entertained with stories over the bleak days!
The Stanley River, running south from this mountain grassland, boasts yet more singletrack. We generally maintained a nicely efficient pace, until we eventually climbed up out of the Stanley to ‘The Race Course’, something of a wide clay flat area. Again, you are privy to some of the most impressive views out west, up the Jones River and south down the Waiau.
Some 35km and six hours later we descended to Scotties Hut, down a newly cleared singletrack to a sweet welcome party of Sam and his adventurous kids. These are impressive kids—back home in Motueka the two of them spend days out playing in the forest while Sam is digging new MTB trails for a crust.
That evening, we headed to a remote “wild” hot pool not far from Scotties Hut. Wedged into a small side valley and beautifully located on the stream edge, the starry night above created a fine finish to a big day in the saddle.
Johno had only used 45% of his battery running on Eco for the day, but my legs were definitely spent. This was day four; bikes strapped to the Land Cruiser and headed out, we turned north towards Lake Tennyson and, more precisely, the rough road up to Mailing Pass. Standing at the 1308m pass we looked once more down to the beautiful grassland of the Waiau River flats. Johno pointed out the large pockets of beech forest nestled into the western folds and enthusiastically shared his trail vision for this descent, something worthy of a trip in its own right, once it is built.
With special permission from DOC, we were able to make a quick trip to look at Lake Guyon from the opposite angle. Standing at the Lake Guyon hut, we looked over this alpine lake up to the plateau edge I had looked down from only the day before. This gave me a good picture and understanding for the singletrack trail vision that would link these two tracks with not just old 4WD trails but outstanding singletrack terrain, making even more options for MTB backcountry adventures here!
Tired but stoked, we took shelter in the Island Gully hut in the middle of the scree-clad mountains of the Rainbow Road. Another night in the hills rounded out an epic adventure, rather than the all too familiar story of getting tired and over-focused on getting out. A fresh and happy bunch rolled back into the Motueka Valley with new and exciting trails under our belts and an eagerness to return for more!
Northern Lines
Words & Images Liam Friary
The Pacific Northwest has always held a certain mystique for mountain bikers. Its loamy trails, dense forests and mountainous terrain have been home to some of the world’s best shredders, and have helped shape the culture of our sport.
I was fortunate enough to take a winter hiatus earlier this year, to trip around some of North America. This part of the journey took me from the iconic trails of Bellingham, Washington, through British Columbia’s interior, ultimately landing us in Golden. The ‘us’ is me and one other – Chris Mandell. Just one video call led me to this situation; Chris was meeting a larger crew (travelling from other regions) in Golden for the 25th Anniversary of Psychosis, so I hitched a ride.
Bellingham served as our launch point; its reputation as a mountain bike haven is well- earned. The town sits nestled between the Salish Sea and the North Cascades, where trails seem to sprout from every fold in the landscape.
There’s a ton of riding options here and even if you spent weeks, you’d only just be scratching the surface. One of the main local riding locations is Galbraith Mountain. The network offers more than 65 miles of pristine singletrack that’s been methodically crafted over decades. Before heading north, we squeezed in an afternoon session on some of Galbraith’s finest. It was dry but the dirt was tacky, and the trails were so damn fun. Pacific Northwest trail builders craft with precision—berms and jump lines are dialled, but there’s also a heap of tight hand-cut singletrack. I was itching to get more trail time in, but we needed to gap it.
The van was packed. Two trail bikes, a DH bike, spare wheels, tyres, a heap of bike paraphernalia, clothes, some food and coffee and, after a quick homecooked lunch, we were set: ready to hit the road north. The border crossing at Sumas was relatively quick, and, soon enough, we were cruising through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. The landscape gradually transformed from coastal rainforest to the drier interior as we pushed eastward. I was just trying to take everything in whilst also attempting to find an afternoon ride and dinner location. I wasn’t just a passenger, more like a co-pilot. We found a riding location to spin our legs, but it wasn’t really the mountain biking we were after as it was actually a cross-country ski course (in the winter, of course). We pedalled anyway as it was good to get the body moving again after spending a few hours in the van. We jumped back in and, within about ten minutes or so, we saw a heap of cars parked up at a trail head. Turns out that was a better location and had ‘real’ mountain bike trails. Oh well, that’s the joy of travel—right?!
After dinner in Kamloops, we pinned our first overnight stop to Salmon Arm. It’s a modest town on the shores of Shuswap Lake that’s quietly been developing its own mountain bike identity. The South Canoe trail network here is a testament to grassroots community building—local riders have turned hillsides into playgrounds, with trails that range from flowy cross-country to technical descent lines.
The morning light in Salmon Arm painted the lake in silvers and blues as we loaded up on coffee and breakfast sandwiches from a local cafe. After an hour or so of clearing the digital backlog, we were set for another day of road tripping. The air was crisp, typical of early summer in the BC interior. We surveyed Trail Forks and spotted a good trail en route. We drove the van up a fire road and parked at the trail exit. The climb up was peaceful, switch-backing through stands of cedar and fir with occasional glimpses of the Shuswap peeking through the trees. The descent was fast, flowing tight singletrack punctuated by natural rock rolls and root gaps that seemed purposefully placed by nature itself. I clipped a tree towards the end of the trail and catapulted myself off the bike. After a dust off, I fixed my bars and gathered myself before descending the rest of the trail. Stoke levels were high back at the van.
Golden was calling. But first: a short stopover in Revelstoke for lunch and multiple coffees. The urge to ride this iconic mountain biking location was at an all time high, but the timeline just didn’t allow for it, unfortunately. Here’s hoping I’ll get back there one day. Instead, we took in the historic charm of the town before hitting the road again. The drive east took us through some of BC’s most dramatic terrain—Rogers Pass cuts through the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, where glaciers still cling to peaks and the Trans- Canada Highway fits perfectly into the splendid scenery. The chat at this point was mostly about ski lines you could hit during the winter months. That’s certainly a trip for another time!
Golden appeared below us as we descended from Rogers Pass, nestled in the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse Rivers, with Mt. 7 looming above like a staunch sentinel. The energy in town was all about the return of Psychosis. This is a race that had achieved almost mythical status in the mountain bike world, running from 1999 to 2008. After some dormant times, the race had been resurrected for its 25th Anniversary, drawing riders from here, there and almost everywhere to test themselves on one of the most demanding downhill tracks ever raced. Mt. 7’s course drops 1,200 vertical metres over seven kilometres, with some super steep gradients that would make a theme park seem lame.
The atmosphere in Golden was electric. The small town was buzzing, with bikes appearing from every corner. Our homestay for the event was an iconic local legend, Mark (Rabbit) Ewan. Rabbit had energy to burn and would not only house us but host us and get us anywhere we needed to be in Golden. It felt like we were with the mayor, as wherever we went with him in this small mountain town, he knew someone. His enthusiasm was infectious. Rabbit’s house was soon taken over by a flock of mountain bikers dossing down wherever space allowed. Thankfully, his wife and kids were out of town. A quick evening shuttle run was the order – I picked up the role of driver and the hoots and hollers on the way up were only louder on pick up at the bottom of the run. Rabbit took in some elements of the racecourse but wanted to venture off piste too. Dinner was served in the backyard, with bikes being tinkered with late into the night, thanks to the endless daylight that stuck around until 11pm.
Dawn was met with pancakes and maple syrup, washed down with coffee. Before long, we were driving back up Mt. 7’s access road, a rutted forest service path that twisted its way up. The view from the top is incredible and not only does it serve as a starting point for the riding trails, but a paragliding launch site, too. Columbia Valley stretched out below, with the morning mist still clinging to the river’s curves. Several runs later, the crew become a little more confident but there was still a nervous energy amongst them.
The race itself was a spectacle of human determination. Watching riders tackle the infamous ‘Dead Dog’—a steep, exposed section that had everyone’s hearts in their throats—was both terrifying and mesmerising. The level of commitment required to race this mountain at speed is hard to fathom, even for experienced riders. Between practice runs and race heats, the stories flowed. Tales of legendary runs from the day—and from the original Psychosis days—of broken bikes and broken bones, but mostly of the strong mountain biking community. Our crew all did well and kept their bikes upright and bones intact. The finish area party was strong, with music, beers, food and an electric atmosphere. This was all grass roots, with nothing flamboyant about it; as authentic as it gets. The crew were stoked to re-live yesteryear, reminiscing about the racing scene and how it reminded them that bikes have the power to bring like-minded people together.
Our final evening in Golden was spent at the after party, held at a local bar where racers, support crew and spectators celebrated hard with a 90’s punk band doing covers. It got quite loose as the intensity of the music ramped up – think: mosh pits, no shirts and an electric atmosphere that would rival some concerts these days. The return of this iconic event represents mountain biking’s raw soul. The stories shared that night weren’t just about racing, but the lifestyle that surrounds the sport, too. Psychosis is all about preserving a piece of mountain bike history and culture that often gets overlooked in the new era.
As we loaded up for the journey to my next location, Golden’s morning light painting Mt. 7 in alpenglow—it was clear why events like Psychosis matter. In an age where mountain biking continues to evolve and modernise, there’s something special about places that maintain their raw, untamed character. From Bellingham’s pristine trails to Golden’s rugged mountains, our road trip had traced a line through the sport’s past, present and future. The shared experience has become a core memory, at the heart of which is the strong and vibrant community that keeps the sport intact.
The Longest, Longest Day
Words Tom Bradshaw
Images Peter Wojnar
The idea was simple: fly to the Yukon, arriving at 11:59pm on Friday night. Greeted by the midnight sun of the summer solstice, we’d leave the bike bags somewhere and start riding. We’d ride the stunning Whitehorse trails until the 5pm flight on Sunday night, returning to Vancouver in time for work on Monday. No accommodation, no vehicles—just a big ride with plenty of stops and the occasional nap under the midnight sun.
It was ambitious to say the least.
Landing at Whitehorse airport ahead of schedule at 11:30pm on the Friday, we feverishly built up our bikes outside the terminal, in a twilight haze of disbelief and—to be honest—tiredness.
The Yukon is known for its remoteness; the gold rush, the Arctic Circle, and beautiful, expansive terrain.
It’s five times the size of New Zealand and, more than once, we would find ourselves “Yukon’d.” If you were to look up Yukon’d in the dictionary, it would be a verb describing the moment of realisation that, three hours into a climb towards a mountain top, it appears no closer than when you started.
The Yukon is less well known for its mountain biking, however, it is outstanding. The soil is a blend of water-sapping loam and near-sandy alpine dirt. The tree line stops at 900m of elevation, providing “easy” access to the alpine. The vastness cannot be underestimated.
Immediately, our plan was derailed. Unable to simply leave our bags in the bush by the airport as we had planned, we dragged them with us to the local bike shop. I-cycle, arguably the best named bike shop in the world, fortunately has a perfect covered patio where we left the bags. We began pedalling, into the darkness—and the rain.
As it transpires, even during the actual summer solstice the sun technically sets for about one hour. At this point it was 1:30am on the summer solstice and, because of the rain, clouds and technical twilight, our mood matched the unexpected darkness of the forest around us. There was no traffic and as we left the city limits, we realised how dark, wet and dumb this idea actually was.
Three hours later, at 4:30am, we finally broke the tree line. The 1000m climb had taken it’s time, as we paced ourselves and got lost a handful of times up the ever-expanding forestry road network. The visions I’d had of a four-hour-long twilight, painting the alpine and expansive Yukon landscape shades of a Picasso art piece, couldn’t have been more than a fever dream at this point. It was lightish, however, a grey misty cloud had settled, enveloping not only the sunrise but the view of Whitehorse entirely. At least we only had another 20 hours to go, a chance for the weather to clear.
As soon as we started heading downhill, the first bonk of the day disappeared. The low angle 800-metre descent was delicious, albeit spicy with the wet slick roots ready to catch a front wheel. The dirt was perfect, though, and held the moisture well.
The final 150 vertical metres was such a treat that we pushed back up and did it again. By the time we got to the bottom, it was 7:30am, and thoughts of hot, fresh coffee were pulling myself and Jacob to town. Fortunately Peter, who was also lugging around a camera, wisely told us we were being cowards and our short-sighted goal of hot coffee would add another 25km of road to our ride.
The mountains and their bike trails completely encircle Whitehorse. We had headed out to the west, and our next trail lay northwest of town. If Jacob and I were left to listen to our caffeine addiction, we would drop 400m elevation and have to ride back up the same road; it was a dumb idea inside a dumb idea. Instead, we listened to our bodies, and all promptly fell asleep. It’s amazing what 24 hours awake can do. We found a shelter, and passed out on the gravel like it was a California King. Some 20 minutes later, refreshed, we started climbing again—this time aiming for our second 1000m climb for the day: Whitehorse’s downhill track. The climb flew by; the proper daylight, improving weather and incoming fresh singletrack had us moving.
Haeckel Hill DH did not disappoint. Dropping in at about 10am we were treated to a handful of steep chutes with beautifully placed catch berms. The trail then went to that outstanding Rotorua- esque low angle, off the brakes gradient. We were riding like we hadn’t been moving for nearly 12 hours with 2000m of climbing under our belt.
After the 700m descent of beauty we had earnt a coffee. And a beer. This turned out to be a near-fatal mistake. Rolling back into downtown Whitehorse sometime after noon, we had been moving for about 12 hours and were all completely soaked. The bottoms of our feet resembled the contours on a topo map. They did not look pretty, nor did we. We were accepted to the local pub and found a table amongst the locals enjoying a rainy Saturday lunch. Fortunately, the people of Whitehorse could not have been more welcoming. They all seemed unperturbed by our soaking wet carcasses, and we celebrated the halfway mark by toasting to being inside and warm. The consequences of that lunch beer were almost immediate. It was all we could do not fall asleep in the warm, dry pub. Knowing we couldn’t afford to totally piss off the locals, we settled up and promptly fell asleep on the park bench across the road.
This was not the alpine wildflower bed sunshine nap I had envisioned when scheming this mission. But at this point, none of us could care less. Awaking to rain falling on us again, and seeing that it was 2:30pm, we decided we should really get going to climb up Grey Mountain, a 1400m mountain to the east of town.
Over the next three hours, we learned the hard way about the term “Yukon’d”. By 5:30pm it felt like we hadn’t even made a dent on the climb, however, it was starting to make a dent on us. We needed to stop to air our now trench foot-like feet every hour or two—the downside of our plan to only wear our riding gear on the plane. This travel light strategy was really starting to backfire on us as I considered pedalling barefoot for a spell. The fire road was pleasant enough, with a gentle gradient, and the three of us kept each other cheery while reminding each other of previous indiscretions over the past 18 hours. The animals of Whitehorse were clearly taking shelter, wiser than us; our only sighting was a small black bear, jumping out a few hundred metres up the road, glancing at us then deciding he had better things to eat than three smelly, tired, wet humans.
Fortunately, the higher we climbed, the clearer the skies got. The cloud broke as we reached the summit of Grey Mountain. It was 7:30pm when we were gifted our first proper view of the Yukon. The mountain had taken five or so hours to climb from town, but paled in comparison to what lay beyond. Mountains, lakes and the mighty Yukon river stretched as far as the eye could see. It was beautiful. And so was the descent.
Money Shot was the most technically challenging trail yet; steep, rocky and exposed as it descended through the alpine. Again, the descent gave us all a shot of life. All three of us rode like we’d just jumped off a chairlift, passing each other on inside lines and cackling at the trail. This was our first of two descents off Grey Mountain. We’d lost 600 metres on this descent and started climbing to the top for a second time, knowing midnight was getting close.
We knew we had to be at the summit by around 11:30pm. The light was fading and rain clouds were forecast to roll back in. We had ambitiously decided not to pack any riding lights, believing that “of course we won’t need them; it’ll be light the whole time”.
Regardless, we pushed on knowing this would be the final descent of our longest, longest day. We started climbing the final alpine ridge at 10:30pm. The cloudy, murky twilight wasn’t the hours-long beautiful golden hour sunset I had envisioned, but it was still breathtaking. The climb was also breathtaking. By this point, we had climbed well over 3,500m and ridden over 120kms on about 50ish minutes of sleep. The bonk was hitting us all hard.
It was only fitting that this final 1000m plus descent was called “The Dream.” A beauty; blue flow trail, hand-built by volunteers from the local mountain bike club, descended through the alpine back to the Yukon River and into town.
Naturally, we didn’t make the summit quite in time. As we dropped in at 11:45pm, the fading light and cloud made ‘The Dream’ a true and proper dream. Hooting and hollering like the delirious children we were, we scared any wildlife out of the way, the descent once again bringing us all to life. Twenty-four hours in, we were riding like it was lap one; the sandy alpine dirt providing unlimited grip despite the rain. The lights from town steadily got brighter as we got closer, and our grins were ear to ear.
As we rolled back to town at 1am, some 11 hours after we had left from our lunch nap, we realised how hungry and tired we were.
It’s fair to say we had drastically underestimated the logistics. I had planned this trip thinking we’d be riding through the hot summer sunlight, taking rests in fields of alpine wildflowers, and riding all the way through to our flight back on Sunday afternoon. Due to this overly ambitious plan, we had failed to book or bring any accommodation with us. We hadn’t really thought about that until this point, however, food was our number one priority. Whether you are in Whitehorse, Wellington or Warsaw, the golden arches of McDonald’s will always provide. The crispy, salty fries and magic Big Mac sauce filled a void we didn’t know we had.
Considering our options, sitting outside, soaked and bonked, we decided going back to our bike bags under the sheltered porch of the bike shop was our best move. And by god it was. To be honest, we probably could’ve booked a hotel, but we weren’t ready to drag our soaking wet carcasses back to society just yet.
Cozying up in a bike bag might not seem like the comfiest bed to you, if you’re reading this from the couch or the coffee shop, but at 1:30am in the twilight of a rainy Whitehorse morning, it couldn’t have been better.
A successful end to the longest, longest day ride. As the sun properly rose on Sunday morning, we sought shelter in the local coffee shop, promptly falling asleep again, but caffeinated, dry and relatively warm.
We spent Sunday testing out the local BMX track and jumps close to town, then rode back up to the airport, but only after a crucial stop to buy clothes for the flight home. Our strategy of packing only our riding gear had worked out so far, however, by now we were a biohazard. We would not have been allowed to board a commercial flight in the state we were in, so Walmart provided a pair of jandals and enough clothes to let us board the flight home.
Sitting down on the flight back to Vancouver, I felt relieved that the Yukon had let us get away with this atrocious lack of planning. The vastness was real, and a place I cannot wait to revisit with the bike—and perhaps a vehicle and accommodation. Nonetheless, we left feeling successful. We did it, but it wasn’t pretty. We had spent the entire midnight to midnight exploring the outstanding trails, people and town Whitehorse has to offer.
Resilience in Ōtautahi: Christchurch’s Mountain Biking Legacy
Words Lester Perry
Images Cameron Mackenzie
In the shadow of the Southern Alps, where tectonic forces have shaped both landscape and spirit, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s mountain biking community has written its own story of resilience.
In the shadow of the Southern Alps, where tectonic forces have shaped both landscape and spirit, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s mountain biking community has written its own story of resilience.
Like the native tussock grass that bends but never breaks in Canterbury’s fierce nor ‘westers, the city’s riders have proven time and again that adversity only strengthens their resolve.
The devastation of yesteryear has hardened city dwellers who have incredible forward momentum. These individuals are armed with spades and determination and, over the past decade or more, they’ve built new lines to prove their mettle on. Not only new lines appeared but new riding communities too and, nowadays, rider’s flock to Christchurch and its stunning surrounds to get a piece of the action.
The Port Hills, those ancient volcanic remnants that stand sentinel over the city, have always been more than just terrain. They’re the beating heart of Christchurch’s mountain biking culture. From the technical challenges of Flying Nun to the flowing contours of Anaconda, each trail tells a story. Simply ask around and you’ll hear rider’s tales of dawn missions before work, lights twinkling on helmets as they chase the sun up Mt. Vernon; and weekend missions.
When the Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) emerged from the drawing board in 2016, it wasn’t just another bike park—it was a statement of intent. Heck, there was a ton of excitement in the air at the time and rightfully so. This would be the Southern Hemisphere’s first year-round chairlift-assisted bike park. It represented everything the community stood for: ambition, innovation, and that characteristic Cantabrian courage to dream big. The 358.5 hectare park became a testament to what’s possible when passion meets perseverance.
The 2017 Port Hills fires, that swept through CAP, could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became just another chapter in Christchurch’s tale of renewal. As the smoke cleared, revealing a changed landscape of blackened pine skeletons and scorched earth, the mountain biking community rallied. Volunteer trail builders worked alongside professional teams, adapting their designs to the new terrain. Where once there were forest lines, they created raw, exposed tracks that showcased the hills’ natural beauty. The park didn’t just survive—it evolved.
Today, Christchurch’s riding scene reflects this history of adaptation and growth. The city’s unique geography offers something for every rider. Beginners find their wheels at McLeans Island, where purpose-built tracks wind through river terraces. Urban warriors connect the dots between the city’s green spaces via an extensive cycle network that makes every ride an adventure. Intermediate to advanced riders push their limits at CAP, where world-class trails like Shredzilla and B-Line challenge even the most skilled athletes.
The highly anticipated Crankworx Summer Series is set to return to New Zealand in 2025, after the cancellation of the 2024 event due to the devastating fires in the Port Hills. The series will take place from 13th to 16th February 2025, with a new line up of events that will elevate the mountain biking experience for both riders and spectators alike, and will form part of the build-up to the first mega-festival of the Crankworx World Tour, in Rotorua from 5th – 9th March 2025.
The Ōtautahi Christchurch festival will introduce a new Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) Gold Level Slopestyle event, the first of its kind in New Zealand. The new course and competition is set to attract some of the world’s top Slopestyle riders and provide a pathway for emerging New Zealand talent. Alongside Slopestyle, the series will also feature Pump Track and Downhill, ensuring a weekend packed with action for spectators and athletes alike.
Beyond the established trails, Christchurch’s riding culture continues to evolve. Secret lines appear in forgotten corners of the Port Hills, carved by passionate locals who see possibility in every contour. Over the weekend, vehicles with bikes hanging off them head out of town with riders making the short trek to Craigieburn and Mt. Hutt, extending the community’s reach into the high country. Each new trail, whether sanctioned or social, adds another thread to the rich tapestry of Christchurch’s mountain biking story.
The city’s mountain biking infrastructure has become a model for urban planning worldwide. The Major Cycleway network, born from post-earthquake reconstruction, has transformed how people move through the city. Riders can now pedal from the International Airport to the Adventure Park without leaving dedicated cycling infrastructure – a journey that captures the essence of Christchurch’s commitment to two-wheeled adventure. What’s even better, is that you can store your bike box at the airport—perfect for a weekend riding getaway with no need for a car!
As the sun sets behind the Port Hills, casting long shadows across tracks both old and new, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s mountain biking community continues to prove that it’s not the challenges that define us, but how we respond to them. In the end, it’s not just about the trails – it’s about the people who build them, ride them, and keep coming back, no matter what nature throws their way.