It may be the other side of the planet but New Zealand is certainly the mountain biking destination du jour. With world champions and pro racers shipping out in en masse, just what is it about this island nation, eleven and a half thousand miles away that makes it the mountain biking Mecca it is? Why is everyone from Rachel Atherton to Katy Curd off cycling in New Zealand?
New Zealand is made up of two large islands, and a cluster of smaller ones with a maritime climate that is similar to but a lot milder than the British climate, which is one of the reasons it’s such a draw. This means winter temperatures of a balmy 10 to 14 degrees and summer temperatures in the mid to high 20s which sounds just right for riding in.
Add to that rainfall levels in large parts of the country that’s more or less equivalent to a Mediterranean climate and you’re looking at perfect riding conditions.
The topography of New Zealand also plays a huge part in making it a mountain biking destination of note. Towering peaks and rolling hills formed from volcanic activity provide a perfect mix of terrain. The mountains also affect the climate locally, providing pockets of verdant forest, lush grassland plains, and dry rocky slopes to play on.
If it sounds like a mountain bikers dream, you’re not wrong! World Champions Rachel Atherton and Katy Curd departed for NZ to escape the manky British winter, and Enduro World Series racer and Juliana Bicycles team rider Anka Martin has set up home there.
Katy recently returned from her southern hemisphere adventure, and loved it. “I have wanted to go out to New Zealand for years now and this year I finally had the opportunity to go so with out much thinking about it, I booked the flights! Its been a great chance to escape the British winter and come train in some sun, ride some dusty trails and also travel around and explore this amazing country.”
When it comes to the riding on offer, Rachel Atherton is clearly taken with the country. “We went to train in New Zealand in 2011, mostly around the Queenstown area, and it was flippin’ awesome! So good in fact that we went again this year. Not only do we get to escape the Welsh winter climate but the riding in New Zealand is mint.
I’m not always a massive fan of riding in bike parks but the Queenstown bike park had about 500m descent, and 24 trails for us to try. When we weren’t riding we were bungee jumping, swimming, and eating great food.”
