Words Meagan Robertson
Images Kristine Zipfel

There’s a point during Super V – usually somewhere between the first shuttle run and the last finish-line high five – where it’s clear the day isn’t really about racing.

It’s in the conversations on the shuttle ride up, the mix of nerves and excitement, and the way people who’ve never met before are suddenly giving each other tips, encouragement, or just a well-timed “you’ve got this”. By the time riders start rolling in at the finish, dusty and grinning, the results almost feel secondary.

That’s been the essence of Super V since it began in 2013, and something the organising committee – aka the Revolve crew – works hard to keep alive and well.

Now in its 13th year, Super V is firmly part of the fabric of Wellington’s women’s mountain bike scene. It’s competitive without being intimidating – social, but still a race. A space where you can push yourself as hard as you want – or just turn up and be part of it.

This year’s event, held on March 21, felt like a pretty perfect example of that balance.

The weather showed up, the trails were running fast and dry and spirits were running high at a time when it’s easy to get consumed by the energy of the world. The numbers were a bit lower than recent years but, if anything, it felt a bit more connected – people stayed longer, chatted more, and made a proper day of it. So many stayed to help pack down that it was one of the fastest pack ups on record!

There were full podiums across almost every category – from Under 13 to over 60 – which is something we’ve always been proud of. You had younger riders absolutely sending it, but also women who came into the sport later in life lining up and racing just as hard.

The racing itself was tight too, with the top over-18 rider just one second off the podium full of super speedy teens. At the same time, there was the usual unpredictability that comes with mountain biking – a crash from a top rider, mechanical dramas, having to pass because some of us still aren’t great at owning our speed, and those ‘what if’ moments that are all part of the deal.

But Super V has never really been just about the race runs.

The Jump Jam, inspired by Juliana Bicycles and now run by local bike shop MyRide, has become a highlight and this year was no exception. Set at the top of the Roller Coaster jumps line overlooking the harbour, with three different levels of challenge, it provides the perfect mix of opportunity, support and just the right amount of peer pressure. While Open Women have dominated in previous years, this year saw the younger riders taking it to the next level. Watching riders step up to features they’d never hit before –tentatively at first, then full send by the end – captures the shared progression of the day, where everyone is pushing at their own level but feeding off the same energy. It’s one of the best parts of the day, and the crowd of riders watching is testament to the excitement. The competition’s top prize – a beautiful, handcrafted Jump Jam necklace – isn’t a bad addition to the bragging rights earned on the day.

Then there are the lighter moments – the Fancy Finishes, the Whoopsie Award (designed as a condolence for the biggest crash), the Spirit of Revolve Awards and the epic spot prizes. It all adds up to something a bit different from your standard race day.

A big part of that is the team who quietly make it happen. From shuttle drivers and marshals to mechanics and organisers, there’s a whole crew behind the scenes keeping things running smoothly. We’re also always conscious of giving something back, which is why part of every entry goes directly to the trail builders – in this case, the Brooklyn Trail Builders – along with whatever we can add from the sausage sizzle.

That connection to the trails, and the people who build and maintain them, is something that’s always been important to us.

Because at the heart of Super V is Revolve.

The Revolve revolution

Revolve Cycling started back in 2009, and over time it’s grown into the longest-running women’s cycling club in New Zealand. What began as a small group of women looking for others to ride with has evolved into a community that’s introduced thousands of riders to both road and mountain biking.

Over the past 16 years, we’ve run more than 50 women-only events, guided over 1,500 rides, and connected with more than 5,000 riders through our wider network. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

For a lot of women, myself included, mountain biking didn’t start in childhood. It started later – often with a fair bit of hesitation, and usually without a clear pathway in. Clubs like Revolve filled that gap. They created a space where it felt okay to be new, to learn, and to build confidence without pressure.

That’s something I still see now, both through Revolve and my coaching with teenage girls through WORD (Wellington Off Road Department). The difference is that the pathway into the sport looks very different today, and that change is reflected at an event that attracts both.

Looking around at Super V this year, it was impossible not to notice how many younger riders were there. Not just participating, but genuinely competitive – technically strong, confident, and riding at a level that reflects how much the sport has progressed.

It’s incredibly exciting to see and, at the same time, does shift the dynamic slightly.

Revolve has always been a space designed for adult women, many of whom came into riding later in life. For that group, having an environment that feels welcoming and non-intimidating is a big part of what keeps them coming back.

As more under-18 riders start showing up – and doing really well – the lines between those groups start to blur.

It’s not a negative thing. If anything, it’s a sign that the sport is growing in the right direction, and when checking in with the over-18s at the event, they were nothing but thrilled about the age range. That said, it does raise questions about how we continue to support both ends of that spectrum.

How do we keep that original “have a go” energy alive, while also making space for a generation of riders who are progressing faster than ever?

How do we make sure that someone turning up to their first event still feels like they belong, even as the overall level continues to rise?

There’s no neat answer to that, and maybe there doesn’t need to be.

Because if Super V shows anything, it’s that there’s room for all of it.

Standing at the finish line this year, watching riders come through – some racing for podiums, others just stoked to have made it down – it was clear that the core of it hasn’t changed.

People are still showing up for the same reasons.

To challenge themselves. To connect with others. To be part of something that feels supportive, a little bit nerve-wracking, and a lot of fun.

That’s what Revolve set out to create back in 2009 and, 13 years into Super V, it’s still exactly what keeps people coming back.

Meagan Robertson has been the president of Revolve Cycling in Wellington since 2016, and coached WORD since 2013.