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If you're looking for some daredevil action, love the rough and tumble of the outdoors, the smell of fresh air and the feel of adrenalin pumping through your veins, then New Zealand is the perfect place for you to indulge in the sport of mountain biking.
An adventure for the body and soul
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| Deer Park Heights overlooks Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. |
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New Zealand offers a wide and diverse array of mountain biking options, with courses ranging from the sedate to the insane, with spectacular scenery the only possible distraction from the thrills on offer.
Few other places on earth offer the diversity of environment that New Zealand does, through alpine, forest and coast, all of course within easy driving distance of a warm bath and hot coffee. Many of these tracks showcase the unspoiled nature of the landscape, despite many courses being close to metropolitan centres.
Here is a sample of the range of mountain biking options which you can indulge in during your time in New Zealand.
Rotorua
Home of the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships, there are 70 kilometres of trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest, which is located on the southern outskirts of the city.
This unique experimental stand of trees - pine, Californian redwoods, Australian eucalyptus and douglas fir amongst native New Zealand silver ferns - was created over the last 100 years by the New Zealand Forest Service. Combined with wonderful rolling free draining terrain, it gives the Whakarewarewa trail network its distinctive flavour.
Central North Island
In the untouched wilderness of the Kaimanawa mountains, an exhilarating helicopter flight takes riders to the summit of a trail through native bush and tussock rivers, overlooking the dramatic scenery of the Tongariro National Park.
Wellington
Makara Peak has become one of the most popular mountain bike tracks in New Zealand, thanks to the track building efforts of a group of committed volunteers - the Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park Supporters. Under the guidance of New Zealand's most famous mountain biker brothers - Simon, Jonathan and Paul Kennett - volunteers can be seen most weekends perfecting this mountain biking haven.
Around 100,000 bikers a year pedal their way up and down its hills, alongside ferns and other native bush where, on a clear day, you can catch spectacular views of the South Island. The Makara Peak Park area is 10 minutes from central Wellington and covers 200 hectares.
Canterbury
Canterbury's Heli Bike Challenge is a 1300m (4200ft) vertical sprint down Mount Benmore on a narrow dirt track. The fastest reach the bottom in less than 40 minutes.
The hills around the South Canterbury district of Waimate are starting to come alive as the area establishes itself as a New Zealand mountain bike stronghold.
The region, including Waimate and the rugged hill country further inland around Waihaorunga/ Hakataramea, is enticing increasing numbers of cyclists to take to the hills and enjoy not only exciting trail-riding but some superb scenery including views of New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook.
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| The Otago Rail Trail promises a scenic mountain biking workout without the challenge of steep hills. |
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Central Otago
Deep in the South Island, Central Otago could be considered New Zealand's home of 'true' mountain biking. Here trails reached by helicopter or four-wheel drive drop and snake down mountain ranges past moonscapes, grazing sheep and old gold mines.
Marlborough
The Queen Charlotte Track, in the striking Marlborough Sounds, is the longest continuous single track mountain bike ride in the country. The 71 kilometre route through historic sites, secluded bays and lush coastal bush was purpose-built for walkers and cyclists. The track is suitable for novices and experienced mountain bikers alike, who share the area with blue penguins, dolphins and seals.
Not just thrills and spills
For those who don't take their mountain biking too seriously, there's even a pub to pub trail - a heady mix of traditional Kiwi country pub and a little bike riding to wobble through in between.
Cyclists can also ease off the pedals to take in a more relaxed view of the countryside. Guided tours meander through the wine regions of the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough - past vineyards, olive groves, orchards and rolling farmland.
Whatever your choice, feel sure that New Zealand will offer you the mountain biking odyssey of a lifetime.
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 | Featured Activity | |
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| BIKING NEW ZEALAND |
New Zealanders’ passion for mixing adrenalin with wilderness scenery means mountain biking trails are everywhere.
Photo credit: Legend Photography
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Read more ›
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| Featured Article | |
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| OUTPOST MAGAZINE |
Read an article about New Zealand mountain biking from Canada's top publication, 'Outpost Magazine', published in June 2006 (PDF, 312 KB).
Photo credit: Outpost Magazine, June 2006
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Read more ›
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2006 World Championships
The 2006 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships were held on 22 to 27 August, in Rotorua, New Zealand, a city famous for its exotic mixture of geothermal activity and Maori culture. Rotorua is a major tourist destination, a place of cultural diversity, a thermal wonderland and an adventure and multisport haven.
The world-class championship courses were purpose built on the slopes of an ancient Rotorua landmark - Mount Ngongotaha, just north of the city centre. Competitors and spectators alike were treated to the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds the Rotorua region, while Kiwi hospitality ensured everybody was comfortable while enjoying the competition.
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