Feature: An all-day affair
He plan was simple; ride every trail that Craigieburn has to offer - in one day. Mission like these require loads of energy and a positive attitude.
Just over an hours’ drive from Christchurch, the Craigieburn Forest Park is one of the best days out available on a bike, in New Zealand. This unique basin is nestled against the foothills of the Main Divide and, traditionally known for a culture of club ski fields and bouldering, it’s now also a mecca for mountain biking. Native trails, surrounding tall peaks and clear streams are about as good as ingredients get for a day spent outside. Through all the bustle of life, training, work and everything in between, Craigieburn represents the ultimate reminder of why we started riding bikes in the first place. Stripping it back, it’s an inherent need to be surrounded by mountains and native bush. There is something indescribably wonderful about being able to combine being in the foothills of the Southern Alps, taking on a decent physical challenge, and being able to get immersed in the joy of being on my bike. Taking the enduro bikes meant that, while we weren’t planning on breaking any records up the hills, we were ready to add the maximum fun factor on the descents.
The plan was simple; ride every trail that Craigieburn has to offer – in one day. An ambitious goal and a big day but rewarding, nonetheless. Missions like these require loads of energy and a positive attitude. Max Hides was just the person we needed to keep the drive going and, after a last hour call up, he was more than ready to join us.
In classic Canterbury style, leaving Christchurch it was grey, misty and almost drizzly. We were on for a good thing, escaping the eastern plains inversion layer in exchange for some sunny mountain riding. Armed with coffee and the essentials from Sheffield Pie Shop, the clouds parted right on cue heading up Porters Pass. We spared a moment’s thought for the 9-5 hustle back in the city, but only briefly. We were on for a great day!
Starting from Mistletoe Flat, we headed up and moved our way east across the trails feeding into the basin, to finish in Castle Hill Village. Anticipating a full day out, we packed our bags with all the essentials for happiness, warmth and ‘hangry’ management. The great thing about riding Craigieburn is that the hills are big, and the climbs require a bit of effort. It’s not a cash crop, especially not when the first climb of the day is from the basin floor up to Craigieburn Valley Ski Field.
The pedal is initially pleasant through the beech, but kicks up about halfway through, and the conversation was naturally replaced by an increased focus on turning our pedals. The Craigieburn Hut was a welcome appearance, complete with a perfect set of smoko steps. We looked, but there seemed no one available to open the bar for us at 10am on a summer’s weekday... maybe we should return at the appropriate hour. For now, though, it was time to turn our sights downhill.
The Edge track starts at Craigieburn Ski Field, and traverses the side of the hill. Starting with a couple of scree crossings, it’s mostly a lovely gradient through the beech forest, punctuated by the regular rocky outcrop and tight corner to keep us on our toes! One of those tracks where paying attention is necessary but it’s all too easy to get distracted by the views. Not that it upset us, we were all too happy to take some regular breaks and soak in the view before dropping through the tight singletrack.
The climb up AntiLuge to Lyndon Saddle is 15 minutes of real Type 2 fun. Pinchy and technical, it’s guaranteed to get everyone’s heartrate up, but at least it’s short. At the same time, it’s impossible to hate it because it leads to the star child of Craigieburn Forest: the Luge track.
Graded as an intermediate track, this is the definition of fun for the whole family. No other track does roots and flow in the same sentence quite like the Luge does. The gradient and turns are mellow enough for a broad audience while, for the more advanced among us, it’s littered with natural doubles and high lines. Following Max gave me the chance to try a few more myself! Dirt conditions were all time, with just enough moisture among the beech leaves to hook into the side knobs of the tyres and feel like world cup riders, even if only for a split second. Best of all, it finishes right at a creek, perfect to refresh in preparation for the next climb.
As the day passed, we moved our way east through the basin and network of trails. Most creeks were a compulsory stop and kept the body temperatures cool in what was an almost perfectly still, sunny alpine day. By the time we reached mid-afternoon we’d covered some good ground. Arguably not so much in distance and metres climbed, but in scenery, good chat and high spirits.
Reaching the other side of the Dracophyllum flat track, we turned upwards for the second half of our ride, to get a lap in each of Cuckoo Creek and Cockayne Alley. With rogue weather in July 2021 causing a major slip on the access road, access has been limited to pedal only from Forest Lodge onwards. Controversial opinion, but I can’t say I mind it. There’s a feeling of being self-sufficient in these sorts of environments that’s quite nice to keep hold of. For the most part it’s an inoffensive climb in the trees, then kicks up above the tree line to remind us that hills are hard work!
Heck, it’s not a bad view from the top though. Max went in to get some ski turns on the scree and we traversed along the ridge to admire the view once more. The light was starting to soften as the afternoon hours got on, and not for the first time that day we commented on how good bikes and places really are.
Cockayne Alley is about as good as backcountry riding gets. Originally a walking trail, MTBers discovered its steep rooty steps and have since called it their own. To find good flow takes a bit of finesse and concentration, but once it’s found, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. The sort of place where the most important thing in the moment is where your front wheel is going. With just one more climb left to finish off the day, we were Castle Hill Village bound via the Hogs Back. Picnic Rock at the top provided a stunning 360-degree view around the basin, making it a good spot to take a look and realise there’s many more untold adventures and peaks within sight, for mountain bikers or otherwise. From there, we took easy going flow trails winding through the beech, then across the last creek stop and up the terrace to catch our breath by the world-famous lightning tree. The blast from there down into castle village guaranteed a great day, and completed the ride.
There's a simplicity in just putting a backpack on and traveling for a day, that is hard to replicate.
Days like this in Craigieburn don’t get much better. There’s often a value put on metres climbed or kilometres travelled and, although the end-of-ride beer doesn’t taste the same without it, smiles per mile is a metric I’m much fonder of. There’s a simplicity in just putting a backpack on and traveling for a day, that is hard to replicate in any other way. We saw next to no one, and those we did see were like minds, on the same page. It was a brilliant opportunity to switch off, turn some pedals and enjoy a special part of NZ.
Words: Robin Pieper
Photography: Cameron Mackenzie
Review: CamelBak M.U.L.E 12L 100oz Hydration Pack
“The icing on the cake is the twist-lock chest strap, which has a magnet on the bladder tube so that it stays in place when you’re descending...”
A last-minute invite to a backcountry mission in the Craigieburn Forest is something you should always say yes to. The Broken River and Cheeseman ski area offer world-class trails only an hour and a half from Christchurch.
Long alpine descents amongst the beech trees, whilst riding over cornflakes, are what a mountain biker’s dreams are made of. In fact, throughout the day when the wind picked up, it was literally raining cornflakes from the trees. Big mountains mean lots of water, snacks and tools need to be carried, to keep me fuelled for the whole day, since we would be out for over eight hours. Thankfully, the CamelBak M.U.L.E 12L 100oz Hydration Pack was the right tool for the job.
Now, for someone like myself who had shoulder surgery nine months ago – which has left me with a massive scar running across my collarbone – I was wondering how a Backpack would go, as this was my first time riding with one since the injury. The M.U.L.E pack has so much adjustability to ensure the best comfort for every rider. The 3D Vent Mesh Harness is super lightweight, breathable and has extra storage for those quick-access gels when you’re needing a boost of energy. The bag has lots of ventilation on all the main contact points on your back, with its AirSupport Back Panel, and it’s designed with Body Mapping Technology which allows for maximum ventilation on the hottest areas of your back. Considering it was 25-degrees and not a cloud in the sky, for my day in the mountains, the Air-Support kept my back cool and my shoulder comfy all day.
12L of total storage, with a 3L bladder to ensure you stay hydrated, is the setup. There’s a total 9L of storage for everything else you could need for a big day out. The icing on the cake is the twist-lock chest strap, which has a magnet on the bladder tube so that it stays in place when you’re descending – a perfect addition o the bag. Carrying a jacket in a bag is often a pain, but with the M.U.L.E’s Stretch Overflow pocket it was tucked away nicely at the bottom of the bag, but still easily accessible if the weather took a turn for the worse. Tool storage for all your necessary spares is super well organised as there are plenty of pockets to keep everything in its place nicely. You’re able to fit literally anything you could need to get yourself out of a trailside mechanical. My favourite part: the slot for storing your pump. It doesn’t get caught at all on the zips, nor does it take up any unnecessary space, a big win.
The Helmet Carry is a handy aspect of the bag as well. Not only is it perfect for carrying your helmet on ‘hike-a-bike’ sections, but it also doubles as a good spot to store your rubbish. Now, carrying tuna and rice on a ride might seem strange, but the most important thing is that it doesn’t leak in your bag – the outside pocket is the perfect way to avoid this.
Stats of the day: 40km; 1900 vertical metres gained; 5L of water; 2 bags of Haribo lollies and 1 tuna and rice.
Safe to say the M.U.L.E carried me through the day in the mountains. I don’t usually wear a bag riding, as I’ve always had comfort issues, but after eight hours of wearing the M.U.L.E, its comfort, useability, and storage systems are just too good to pass up. It is now my go-to bag for epic backcountry riding or long days in the saddle.
REVIEW: MAX HIDES
DISTRIBUTOR: SOUTHERN APPROACH
RRP: $199
Destination: Nelson Tasman
Nelson Tasman is surely one of the country’s most premium riding destinations. The region has a wide variety of trails, basks in a ton of sunlight hours, has splendid national parks and some of the best craft beer our little country has to offer. So, what’s not to like? Well, nothing really, apart from the fact that I don’t live there...yet.
There are ample trails in the city that’s surrounded by hills. Nelson Tasman offers 400km worth of mountain bike trails within 45 minutes of the city centre. That’s enough to fill a few weeks’ worth of riding – but we only had a few days. Nevertheless, we got a great tasting platter of this region’s incredible landscape, trail network, fine cuisine, hospitality, and the passionate people who make this city shine.
We gathered a crew of mostly locals: Emma Bateup (featured in our last issue #105), Sam Todd (featured in issue #104) and Henry Jaine (photography/ videographer), who documented proceedings. I flew in from the big smoke – Auckland.
On that for a quick moment: Nelson is easily accessible with a short flight from most larger cities, or you can drive there. I really like that when you land, you’re only a few minutes from the city centre or surrounding trails. For this excursion, we’d be covering some of what the region has to offer in terms of trails, hospitality, cuisine and, of course, some craft beers. Our main stops on the road trip would be Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park, Nelson Trails and Coppermine Trail.
This place has always been on my radar for riding but lingered out of reach for a while. I’m not quite sure why – perhaps it was life, work and the pandemic getting in the way of things. But, as we know, good things come to those who wait. And perhaps it was my intermediate level of riding that kept putting me off. As the North Island (where I reside) doesn’t offer the same steepness, I was constantly doubting myself. However, for this trip we’d come up with a plan to cover the more accessible, mellow flow trails, backcountry loops and debunk the chatter about all of Nelson being grade 5+ gnarlyness. Don’t get me wrong, Nelson does have a lot of that too, but we came to document another side of the region.
Kaiteriteri
It’s been known as a scenic holiday beach spot for years, to locals from the upper south – but we weren’t there for the beach (well, maybe after some riding)! Kaiteriteri MTB Park is nestled on the hillside overlooking the bay’s fine views back to Nelson. Kaiteriteri has considerable historic significance, as the first meeting place between tāngata whenua and representatives of the New Zealand Company whose sole purpose was to colonise a ’new’ country.
The Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve is 250ha of Crown land that includes Kaiteriteri Beach, Kākā Point Historic Reserve, Kākā Island, Kaiteriteri Estuary, Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park, and the hills with native bush surrounding the beach and estuary.
What’s interesting is that although they’re a Crown entity, they are not government funded. So, to generate revenue, they own and manage the businesses on the Reserve including the Kaiteriteri Reserve Camp, Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments, Kaiteriteri Store, the restaurants Waterfront & Gone Burgers, and the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park.
These businesses fully fund the Kaiteriteri Reserve and 100% of profits are invested back into Kaiteriteri. This strong community spirit and giving back to the land is to be applauded. In fact, I think a few other regions around Aotearoa could learn from this model. The sense of pride in their slice of paradise is evident as soon as you drive in.
The trails are among splendid bush mixed with forestry and native. If you’re staying at the campsite or apartments, which we did, I highly recommend riding out of the campsite straight into the trails. As you make your way out, there’s a sense of times gone by, with the relaxed state of people in front of their caravans. It’s a stress-free holiday vibe out here and you can’t help but be infected by it. The up trails have a nice gradient and there are numerous options for these, instead of gravel fire roads. I like this, as it gives the sense of being immersed in the bush and trails for the whole ride and keeps it much more interesting.
On this trip, the warm days were still prevalent so riding mornings and evenings was on the cards to escape the heat. The trails have a range of diversity and cater to all abilities. I found the trials to offer some good challenges but still have flow.
After we lapped out the park, we headed down the hill to grab a bite to eat. The sun started dipping behind the hills into the bay below us. Whoops and hollers were yelled as the pace went on for grub.
The compactness of the trails, camp and restaurants mean everything is easily within reach. Gone Burgers is iconic and names its burgers after the trails. Burgers, chips, and beer – the perfect end to a day on the trails. The grub was delivered and hit the spot, then we washed down the meal with an ale and pedalled back to the campsite ( just next door) – our digs for the night.
The alarm sounded early the next morning. It startled me but I was eager to get another taste of the trails before we headed off. The crew threw back their duvets and wiped the sleep out of their eyes too. Coffee was brewed and we sipped it whilst we got ready. It was still dark out, but the sun was just starting to come up. We pedalled out to the beach and watched the sun come up over the horizon.
There’s a great feeling to be beside the beach, riding bikes. It’s this mix of holiday plus riding that makes this place feel special. A short, snappy session that was lively and energetic played out before we hustled back, bundled gear in the car, threw bikes on the rack and grabbed a quick brew before heading off.
KAITERITERI MTB PARK – trails we rode: Big Airs Jump Track, Corkscrew, Easy Rider, Half Pipe, Huff, Karmakaze, Rock Face, Swamp Monster and Ziggy.
Roadie to Nelson
The roadie to Nelson wasn’t long but we were in no rush. The places along the way, such as Riwaka and Motueka are charming, eclectic, and frankly deserved our time. Hop Federation local brewery was the first stop – a few tastings went down way too smoothly. The red settings meant we couldn’t linger inside for too long, so we ended up walking out with a few flagons of their fine ‘Fields of Green Haze Phaze’ which is made with Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka Hops. The experience was lemon zest and mandarin on the nose, with grapefruit, lemon and lychee rounding off this juicy Hazy IPA. It wasn’t long after midday, so we needed to put an end to the beer consumption as there was still plenty of riding to be done. The next stop was only a few minutes down the road: Toad Hall, which partly situated in a reformed church. This cafe is well worth a visit, with local produce, ice cream and a curated selection of craft beers. Blending cool vibes
with delicious grub – what’s not to like?! After we’d filled our bellies with great kai, we jumped back into the wagon and headed to Nelson. The road trip was quintessentially Kiwi and reminded me of those times in my youth, looking out the car window, eager to explore every nook and cranny I could see.
Our digs for the evening were nestled in the Maitai Valley, so we ventured there to unload our gear and get on our bikes. Newly built Maitai Whare Iti hosted us – and boy, was it a charm! It’s way up the valley and completely hidden from anyone’s view. Wooden cabins with bike racks are dotted on the steep property, with a large common area for food and eating, plus an outdoor area with a fireplace to relax by while you listen to the constant bird song echoing through the valley. I didn’t really want to leave, and could feel myself unwinding into the epic landscapes surrounding us. However, with pizza on the menu for the evening, we headed to the nearby trails for a quick shred before the sun went down.
Nelson Trails
Nelson offers nothing short of a plethora of trails right on its doorstep. For this trip, we had to narrow our focus to just a few trails, otherwise we’d be overwhelmed with the amount of choice. So, our time was given to riding Codgers Mountain Bike Park. The park is handily situated in the heart of Nelson and contains a wide range of mountain bike trails, from easy meandering single track for beginners to full on double black downhill trails best left to the experts. The trails are based around three hills, with the summits rising to approximately 400m. The trails all start from Brook Street and Codgers Recreation Hub, and offer great signage. The best thing is that you’re only ever thirty minutes or so from the city.
For the evening session, we lapped out the new Te Ara Rere o Koata (Koata Rere) jump line. There’s great flow, berms, hits and, of course, jumps on this new trail – they’ve done a great job with the build. I was keeping my lines in check, but the others were sending it and, whilst we were out there, we met a local shredder – Kiran Taylor. He’s sixteen, works at Village Cycles, and had so much style and height. This just showcases the level of riders coming from a region littered with great trails. It shows it’s not just good for the here and now, but also for the next generation. After that session we headed back to our digs, Maitai Whare Iti, for the evening. Pizzas, beer, and yarns in front of a fire rounded out the day’s affairs nicely.
I’m skipping ahead here a little, but after spending the following day riding the Coppermine Trail we ventured back to Codgers with Gravity Nelson for some shuttles. We just wanted to ride more of what’s on offer and shuttles are the best way to achieve that. And, to be honest, we were flogged after being out in the backcountry for half a day. Also, with Nelson’s steepness and large variety of trails, a shuttle with great local knowledge is often the best use of time. I for one had a great experience riding Codgers and found the trails were fun, flowy, and well maintained. There’s a heap of trails on offer there, and as Alistair from Gravity Nelson says, when coming to Nelson start with Codgers and work your way up to techier and gnarlier trails that loom high above the city. Codgers is all within proximity of downtown Nelson, and super easy to navigate.
The other spots that are close by Nelson, are Cable Bay Adventure Park and The Wairoa Gorge.
CODGERS MTB PARK – trails we rode: Te Ara Rere o Koata (Koata Rere), Hulk’n Hogan, Te Tirohanga Whetu o Koata (Koata Whetu) and Firball.
The Coppermine Trail
The alarm on my phone chirped to let me know it was just after six and still dark out. However, there was a mission to be completed. I really like the drive that having a big ride on the radar gives you. Under the Maitai Valley’s starry sky, I walked out of my cabin and down to the communal area. As I flicked on the kettle, the others started to make their way down. A few gentle ‘good mornings’ were exchanged as we devoured granola, washed down with strong coffee. The light had only just broken and we are already out the door, ready to tackle the Coppermine Trail. There’s such a good feeling that comes with being out early: it’s quiet, clear and sometimes spiritual. You always feel like you’re ahead of the day and whatever it might bring. It only makes sense to leave early when encountering a backcountry trail, as you never know what’ll happen, so it’s best to have as much time as the day can give you.
We meandered up the trail, which heads directly into spectacular hill country via Codger’s Mountain Bike Park. The long, consistent tramway line climb up the Dun Mountain Walkway was at a good gradient, although the crew wanted to push the pace for some reason. Perhaps they were just eager to reach the top so they could start shredding the downhill. The trail opened up to offer some broad panoramas of Tasman Bay below and showed just how much elevation we were gaining. This offered a good opportunity to have a brief break for some water and snacks and meant I could catch my bloody breath. The trail follows the original railway alignment early on and continues at a steady gradient through mature beech forest, eventually reaching the site of Third House at 660m. Perfect – another place for some respite and a quick bite!
The Coppermine Trail is based on the line of New Zealand’s first railway, used to transport minerals from the eastern slopes of the Wooded Peak. It was opened in 1862. Today, this historic railway provides a steady gradient to its terminus near Coppermine Saddle. The trail then descends to the Maitai Dam and follows the Nelson City water supply pipeline to the lower Maitai Valley. This is a very accessible alpine mountain bike ride, due to it being a circuit and very close to Nelson. The Dun Mountain rises to 1129m, and is one of the most distinctive mountains around Nelson due to its unique geology.
The trail continues to Junction Saddle, where the old railway alignment joins the main ridge. Beyond the saddle, the trail continues to climb upwards – but steadily – through stunning beech forest all the way to the site of Fourth House. Being in the beech forest I’m reminded why I love venturing out into the backcountry so much. It’s being out here in this stunning and awe-inspiring nature with nothing else around. It’s so tranquil and does wonders for clearing your headspace. It wasn’t long before we reached Coad’s Creek and filled up our water bottles. There’s a sudden change in vegetation here, from mature forest to the stunted manuka and shrubland of the ‘mineral belt’. This infertile, distinctly coloured landform belt is also found in Otago and several places between St Arnaud and D’urville Island. The single track takes you all the way from here to Coppermine Saddle (878m) for some great views of the Richmond Range, down to the Maitai Valley.
The panoramic views at the top of Coppermine Saddle were the reward for the morning’s efforts. On this day, we did encounter some wind – which is often expected – but we had a clear day. The rocky tops, mixed with bush on the lower slopes, with large mountains lingering in the distance, gave the sense of the vast expanse. It’s tranquil, remote, and stunningly beautiful. The crew gathered around the table and shared snacks, yarns, and smiles. I pondered times gone by and how tough it would have been, back in the day, working up here. I also thought about how it’s so good to have bikes bring us to places like this. You can learn the history of an area, experience landscapes and ride some superb backcountry all at once.
Well-fed and rested, we grabbed our packs and tackled the long descent. The trail – which is well maintained – dropped through rock gardens, then back into tight bush. A few stops on the way down helped the body from getting beaten up too much and meant I could get back in touch with Sam and Emma who were riding hard. The stoke level was high and for good reason: this is a bloody good trail. Stream crossings, great landscapes, rocky terrain, and a trail that doesn’t let you switch off, but isn’t too technical. After the bush section, we eventually popped out at the bottom and had what was supposed to be a leisurely pedal, but was in fact mixed with a few efforts back to Maitai Valley and our digs. This is an epic backcountry loop filled with historic tales along the way. So close to the city but so far in the backcountry, it feels like Old Ghost Road or similar. This is a great trail for those wanting to escape a little more and extend their fitness.
NOTES, EATERIES AND DIGS (ACCOMMODATION)
Nelson Tasman is a food basket with plenty of great cuisine on offer. Being vegan or vegetarian is no problem in these parts, with plenty of offer catering for all dietary requirements. Perhaps that’s due to the alternative thinkers of this region – they’ve always been progressive. Heck, there’s no shortage of fine food and brands hailing from this region! Simply walk down the supermarket aisle and you’ll find a ton of products and brands which come from Nelson Tasman.
The Nelson food and beverage scene is a mixture of exciting newcomers, and popular staples that have stood the test of time. Access to fresh local produce from both land and sea makes the city a big player in New Zealand’s food scene, and a true culinary destination. The vibe is generally relaxed and eclectic; most places have flair. They’re also very welcoming of riders and often ask which trails you’ve done or are heading to. The city has bonded with the riding culture well. We stayed at KAITERITERI RECREATION RESERVE, in their cabins, which is well suited for riders and other amenities. Back in Nelson, we stayed in the recently opened MAITAI WHARE ITI ADVENTURE CABINS, which are nestled down the Maitai Valley, right on the backdoor of some of Nelson’s most incredible trails. They offer a range of cabins equipped with bike hooks and a wash station catering for all types of riders. Most of our ‘spare time’ was spent at THE FREE HOUSE which offers fine beers and food – you can even grab a curry from across the road and they’ll deliver to you at the Free House. Beer and curry – what more do you want?!
GETTING THERE - Located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, Nelson Tasman is highly connected to other parts of the country – and to the world. Whether you prefer to take a scenic drive, fly with one of the many airlines or catch a ferry from Wellington: there are a variety of transport options available to suit your travel needs.
THE CLIMATE - Nelson Tasman is a beautiful and diverse place to ride, whatever the season, and regularly vies for the title of ‘the place with the most annual sunshine hours’ in New Zealand. The consistently sunny weather and temperate climate means mountain biking can be on your agenda whatever the season. And you’ll be spoilt for choice with 400km of single-track trails to explore within a 45-minute drive of the city.
LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB - Active since 1989, the NELSON MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB has annual membership of over 3500 riders, of all ages and abilities. The club is a volunteer-driven non-profit organisation that works to improve mountain biking in Nelson and surrounding areas. The club build and maintain a fantastic network of over 100km of trails and organise a wide range of events throughout the year, as well as advocating for Nelson’s mountain bikers.
BIKE SHOP AND REPAIRS - Local bike shop, GRAVITY NELSON offer a full-service workshop, premium rentals and expertly guided mountain bike rides. They also operate a shuttle service, and can give you the full dirt on riding around Nelson. VILLAGE CYCLES RICHMOND have a genuine passion for cycling and stock a wide range of bikes and e-bikes, clothing, and accessories, and have a dedicated service and repair workshop. NELSON SUSPENSION live and breathe to tinker and ride bikes, and are Nelson’s dedicated mountain bike suspension and dropper post servicing workshop located in the city centre.
FOOD AND DRINK - THE FREE HOUSE. No ride in Nelson is complete without a visit to New Zealand’s first climate positive pub set in an old, reformed church. There’s craft beer on tap, delicious snacks from their on-site food truck, or you can bring in your own food. EDDYLINE BREWERY & PIZZERIA in Richmond is frequented by the region’s mountain biking community and boasts mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas and freshly brewed craft beers. If you’re riding in Tasman, finish the day at WATERFRONT in Kaiteriteri. Enjoy a delicious meal, relax on the beach-side deck with a fresh brew, local wine or savour a cocktail at the bar.
MUST DOS - When you’re taking a break from the trails, Nelson Tasman is home to three national parks meaning you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hiking, kayaking and beach hopping. Give canyoning a go or jump out of a plane with SKYDIVE ABLE TASMAN. Taste your way around the wineries or explore the art trails. Nelson Tasman also holds the unofficial title of New Zealand’s craft brewing capital and have many a brewery to be visited.
Thanks to Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, Gravity Nelson, Nelson Cycle Trails Trust, Maitai Whare Iti, The Free House and Nelson Tasman for their support with this article. For more information on Nelson Tasman please visit nelsontasman.nz •
Words: Liam Friary
Photography: Henry Jaine
The Kitchen: Tortillas
If you’re thinking about escaping into the backcountry on a riding or multiday bikepacking trip, you’ll need to think about grub. As they say, food is fuel. When you finally reach camp, nothing beats fresh food. There’s a tonne of freeze dried meals out there and they work well, but sometimes it’s good to mix it up. Over the past few years, I’ve found tortillas a staple for riding and bikepacking missions.
Tortillas are so good, readily available and offer minimal bulk. You can pack them just about anywhere on your rig: simply fold ‘em down and stash them for later. I’ve used these, and peanut butter slugs from Pic’s Peanut Butter, for a light lunch on the road. If you want to add a little something extra, sprinkle some wholegrain crackers through the middle.
For the evening, campside burritos are easy to prepare. For the filling, throw in some cheese or avocado to add some extra jazz. My favorite tortillas by the fire are slaw, sausage and a light drizzle of mayo or something similar over the top. You can pack most of these ingredients down quite well, and they taste bloody good!
Remember to save small sachets of mayo/ketchup when eating out in your normal life, as they come in super handy when pushing the pedals.
No-cook options for riding and bikepacking trips are great and that’s where tortillas shine. Fill ‘em with fresh vegetables, dried meats or anything you like really. Heck, if you want to make your night away from the bustle boujee, rip them into smaller bits and dunk into hummus. •
Words: Liam Friary
Photography: Marcus Enno
Columns: Musings
“The posse of e-bikers... had their own culture, which they had created themselves.”
The other day we went for a ride that gave us plenty of time to yak about mountain biking. Usually, we get into a long and complicated discussion about trails. That subject provides plenty of material for hours of slow climbing, which is when most of the talking gets done.
This time though, we gave the trails a rest and got into a session about the culture of the sport, and what is happening to it.
First of all, what were we talking about? Is there a mountain biking culture?
There are possibly dozens. It certainly isn’t one thing. Under the general umbrella of ‘mountain biking’ there are trail riders, downhillers, cross country racers, and adventure-style expedition riders. We could tack on some types of bike packing. Dirt jumping. Single speeding. Klunking.
Pondering things further, within ‘trail riding’ there are people who shuttle, people who don’t, people who stick to the beaten track, and people who like to roll their own lines.
Downhilling includes some of the shuttlers, and the full-on racers. Cross country has casual types, training for an event, and people aiming at the Olympics.
Single speeding can be a low-budget way of protecting the flash bike from the worst of winter wear, or a semi-religion.
And, a further complication is that many people will be in more than one camp. Most people I know are, and many of them do other bike stuff besides ‘mountain biking’: gravel; road; BMX; track; cross.
But, let’s say there is a mountain biking culture. Let’s, for argument’s sake, bung everybody we have listed above into a broad category and call them ‘mountain bikers’. Are they homogenous enough to call a culture?
What got us started on this topic, was turning up at an area where people sometimes congregate, to stop and fill up our water bottles. While we were there, a posse of e-bikers arrived. They were all on eMTBs, pretty slick ones at that. They had the basic gear required: fit-for-purpose shoes, shorts, backpacks, gloves, etc. So far, so good.
They also had hi-vis raincoats. All five of them. In the forest.... where they don’t need to be seen and it wasn’t raining. All their seats were too low, and all their gears were too high. Well, too low and too high for anybody who knows what they are doing. Saddle height and correct gear selection don’t matter much if you have an extra couple of hundred watts on tap, so they weren’t doing anything ‘wrong’.
It just didn’t look ‘right’.
The sight of this gang made both of us happy – they were out in the woods, on bikes, having fun.
It also made us raise our eyebrows and wonder what it meant for the ‘culture’.
The reality is, probably nothing.
In past years, people got into the sport as individuals, and identified with one or other of the subcultures. They learned the unwritten rules and adopted the appropriate gear. By the time they had developed enough to find their niche, they really fit their niche.
Over the past few years, people have been getting into it in droves – little gangs of people appear to have taken up bike riding en masse. The posse of e-bikers that sparked up our discussion were all on the same brand of bike, all on the same model year. They had their own culture, which they had created themselves. They didn’t pay any attention to us, or even say hello. They were doing their own thing, in their own funny-looking way.
A couple of days later, I was sitting in the doorway of my van and a woman nearby was racking her bike for her trip home. She had a big e-bike, and she was a tiny woman. I offered to help, but she reckoned she had racked her bike many times and proceeded to do it quickly and efficiently.
We got chatting. This woman was the leader of three bike groups from over at the coast. One of them comes ‘mountain biking’ on a weekly basis. There are enough in that group that they split into smaller pods for their lap of the woods. I got to see a few more members of her crew, the fast bunch who go further than the beginners – or what she called, ‘the pedal bike group’.
They were all very similar: late-model high-end e-bikes, all looking slightly odd to my eye. Even the ones that had the basic layout looking the business had been accessorised with things no ‘mountain biker’ would add to a trail bike, e or otherwise. Carriers. Phone holders. Odd mudguards. They wore odd riding outfits, too – but oddly consistent.
Much as downhillers look different to XC riders, this new mob look different again. But among their own, they fit.
They are yet another mountain biking faction. I’m just not sure what to call them yet. •
Words and illustration by Gaz Sullivan
Trail Builder: Lasting Legacy
When avid mountain biker, Lou Hunt became a Trail Fund NZ trustee on the Backcountry Trust six months ago, she didn’t plan on becoming a legacy-leaving advocate. But, the impact it can have has got her thinking. To gain a better understanding of this insight, Trail Fund sat down with Lou to discuss leaving a legacy for what you love.
According to most, there are many ways to leave a legacy; be it money, time or influence. Lou agrees, but she says that when it comes to the Backcountry Trust, it’s become clear that money in particular can help achieve some big milestones.
“One thing I’ve noticed, since being in the role, is the number of bequests left to the Backcountry Trust (BCT) for the other two organisations involved,” says Lou. “Both Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) are organisations that have had at least a generation of bequests coming their way.
“And these aren’t only small bequests – they can be property or a decent sum – which, when invested properly, can take an organisation from volunteer-run to professional.”
For those who don’t know, the BCT funds and supports volunteers to maintain huts and tracks on public conservation land for outdoor enthusiasts including trampers, deerstalkers and mountain bikers. Established in 2017, it is the successor to the Outdoor Recreation Consortium, which saw the three key organisations – FMC, NZDA and Trail Fund NZ – working together for the first time from 2014 to 2017. Each has two trustees on the Board, ensuring equal representation.
“The bequests mean both FMC and NZDA have people in funded roles, while Trail Fund remains completely volunteer-run,” explains Lou. “It’s not really surprising, given that trail building in its current capacity is a relatively new industry, but it’s never too early to plant the seed for the multitude of mountain bikers who may want part of their legacy to be leaving something to the recreation they love.
“As a passionate advocate for getting more women and girls into the sport, and as someone with no children, I am definitely keen for my legacy to go to trails on all three levels – money, time and influence. I’m currently working on the last two through my role with BCT and Wellington Off-Road Department (WORD) instruction but hoping the former will be a good 50 years away!”
Spreading the love
While we’re on the topic, Lou says that if you are going to write Trail Fund or the Backcountry Trust into your legacy, try to trust the system.
“What I’m currently keen to help shape, is the criteria around what a good BCT investment is, to ensure it’s broader than shrines of boyhood antiques.”
All jokes aside, Lou believes mountain bikers will want to leave a legacy to the sport that has offered them so much, it will just take time.
“The thing is, mountain biking may have been around in the 80s, but that’s not that long ago and, until now, it wouldn’t be clear who to leave a bequest to. Now that there’s such a great framework in place for outdoor recreation, would-be legacy leavers would know their bequests were in good hands.”
Final piece falling into place
Lou admits that another possible cause for pause may previously have been a lack of advocacy for mountain biking on Department of Conservation managed Crown land. However, that’s been steadily shifting over the past few years, and an announcement from Conservation Minister Kiri Allan in mid-December hopefully means any bequests coming BCT’s way will have plenty of Crown land to impact in the future.
The announcement, which highlighted an intention to modernise New Zealand’s conservation law, highlights the importance of reflecting what local communities want – including mountain biking!
Minister Allan noted, “Conservation planning and permitting decisions often don’t – or can’t – reflect what local communities want, or the latest environmental science. The current system isn’t fully facilitating the activities we want to enjoy, like mountain biking, or the scientific research we need to address the biodiversity crisis.”
But while Lou says she’s seen firsthand the difference bequests can make, it is by no means the only avenue.
“It’s really about getting out and giving back to the community you care about. Help build a trail, buy some Trail Fund gear or volunteer for a hut rebuild. Everything you do will be part of the legacy you leave.” •
Words: Meagan Robertson
Bike Check: The Juliana Wilder, ridden by Emma Bateup
Last time we sat down with Emma Bateup, she was between adventures and training hard for Tour Te Waipounamu (TTW). Since then, Emma has completed the epic South Island ride – in six days and a half days, no less! – and has spent most of the summer riding and going on adventures, all of which she has done on her Juliana Wilder. We sat down with Emma to find out more about the bike itself: how she has it set up; the specs; and the best things about this model.
The complete package
Emma’s bike is a Juliana CC Wilder – the highest spec carbon frame available in the Juliana stable. The premier build Emma has includes SRAM’s Eagle X01 AXS wireless 12-speed package, along with a Fox Factory 34 Step Cast Fork and Fox Float Factory rear shock. This package ensures the weight stays low; the original build is 10.88kg.
“The Juliana Wilder is my main bike. It’s a very nice bike – perfect for all the long-distance silly stuff that I do – like my recent completion of Tour Te Waipounamu,” says Emma. “In fact, if there was ever a bike suited to what I do, it’s this one.”
It’s all in the detail
The Wilder features Juliana’s lightest carbon frame and all-new ‘superlight’ suspension design. In building the Wilder, Juliana made lightweight design a priority as well as ensuring the bike is highly efficient in all that it tackles, with every bit of energy translated into forward momentum.
The Wilder’s unique XC-trail attitude is also reflected in the geometry. The head tube angle (67.1 degree) and the 438mm reach on Emma’s medium size frame is a little steeper and a tiny bit shorter than a Joplin, to meet the demands of aggressive climbing. Yet the Wilder’s seat tube angle is a touch slacker, and the chainstays a little longer, than a Joplin in order to retain that familiar Juliana confidence on descents. Speaking of chainstays, each chainstay length is specific to the individual frame size; meaning riders of every height enjoy the same handling and performance no matter what.
Emma finds that the Wilder’s full suspension offers comfort, even on her longest days in the saddle – and there’s good reason for that. It’s been two decades now, and Santa Cruz and Juliana have built their bikes around their tried-and-true Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension. It’s a twin-link, multi-pivot system that connects the rear and front triangles and allows the rear triangle to smooth out the bumps while maintaining pedal efficiency. Their new superlight suspension uses a single pivot design paired with flex stays. In simple terms, the chainstays are directly connected to the front triangle, and flex in the seat stays makes up for the missing linkage. It is meant to provide more traction while the reduced number of moving parts, bearings, and linkage save weight.
SRAM’s Eagle X01 AXS wireless 12-speed groupset takes care of the shifting. The wider range of gearing offers plenty for Emma’s arduous trail rides and multi-day bikepacking adventures. The batteries for AXS do last a long time before they need charging but, for those interested, Emma plans ahead and takes extras when she’s on a multi-day trips into the backcountry. Speaking of backcountry, Emma’s Reserve XC | 28 wheels are designed to be light, but not at the expense of ride quality and durability. These wheels are tough and have gone through many rigorous rides, including TTW, underneath Emma’s Juliana Wilder. They’ve got acceleration-boosting functionality, but are technically confident, and the balance is spot on for most riders. The XC | 28s use Reserve’s latest broader asymmetric rim-bed design to even out spoke tension and provide a 28mm internal width footing for tyres up to 2.5”. The fibre layer is specifically designed to promote vertical mobility.
On top of all that, there is one small (depending how you look at it!) detail Emma is really impressed with, and that’s the fact the frame has not one, not two, but three bottle mounts on it. “You can put two bottles in the frame and one below it. For bikepacking, I put a frame bag in it then a bottle underneath. It means I’m never really short of water.”
The perfect bike
Emma doesn’t do things by halves, so it’s important her bike is up to the task. Thankfully, the Juliana can handle whatever Emma throws at it – and then some. “I really like how capable it is,” explains Emma. “I’ve ridden some pretty gnarly stuff on it – particularly on TTW; there was some decent stuff out there. I passed a few people walking and just smashed on down the hill and thought, well I’m having a great time!”
Since July 2021, Emma has ridden over 6000 kilometres on the Wilder and it’s still in great nick – a testament to the bike and the Juliana brand. The Wilder frameset, along with the wheels and bars, all have a lifetime warranty. This is a great addition as it means the bike can withstand the abuse Emma puts it through, and she can rest assured knowing that these parts can be easily replaced without hassle if there happen to be any issues.
“The Wilder would be ideal for people who are into adventure racing,” says Emma. “I would also recommend it for bikepacking because that’s what I like doing on it. And just anyone wanting a trail bike that goes ridiculously fast up hills! It’s just so easy to ride up hills. I’ve had it loaded up with bags, preparing for TTW, and it’s so light that it still goes faster up hills than my mates on Enduro bikes. It makes you feel like a bit of a weapon riding up hills really! It would also be great for people wanting to do long day backcountry rides like Ghost Road, Heaphy and stuff like that.
The lightness also makes it easier for bike-carrying when bikepacking. There was a lot of bike-carrying on TTW so the fact that it was so light made that really good, even with bags it wasn’t much heavier than carrying my Enduro bike. The electronic wireless shifting on it is really easy to use. You just have to tap it. So, when I’m riding and eating at the same time I can just tap it with my knuckle, and it will change gear. Since TTW I’ve ridden the bike a few times, and my hands were numb for a few weeks, but it was still easy to ride compared to my other bike. I probably shouldn’t be riding when my hands are numb though….”
The only change Emma has made to the Wilder, is a different saddle and the addition of a tool. Everything else has suited her perfectly and she has really appreciated features such as the light weight and the electronic gear shifting.
“I put a different seat on it, just because I needed a slightly wider seat,” explains Emma. “But I only just did that right before TTW, just for the real long k’s, and I definitely found that comfier. I’ve put multi-tool in the steerer because I’m too lazy to carry tools with me otherwise so if it’s already there, I’ll take it. Other than that, it’s just all the same and I haven’t changed anything out. I mean, everything was just so good that you can’t really change it to anything else!
Emma’s ultimate teammate
“It feels a bit like we’re a team!” laughs Emma. “I’ve had it since July 2021 and have travelled over 6500km on it since then. I recorded everything on Strava until just before TTW, and that was at just over 5000, then TTW was 1400 by the time I rode to the start, and I’ve done a little bit more since then – and it’s still in really good nick! I think we’ve taken it apart once or twice since I’ve had it and have just done a good tune up. It’s been pretty amazing to just lube the chain and go for a ride and the bike just keeps going and going.
It performed great on TTW. I had a really good time on all the singletrack we went on – and on anything downhill I just had such a ball. I had to rein it in so I wouldn’t hit a rock and slash a tyre. I’m not really a person who locks out the suspension, but I didn’t lock it out for the ride, not even on the road – the bike pedals really well. We did add a bit more pressure to the suspension, just to compensate for my bags loaded on it. So, it was really good on the road and the only mechanical issue I had was my pedal, which is separate to the bike really anyway! And that was just down to me not choosing the best pedals, longevity wise, so I need to do more research into that. But the bike was mint!”
Let’s take a look at the frame and specs Emma is running:
Frame: Juliana Wilder Medium Carbon CC Frame – Purple Sweetness and Lavender
Fork: FOX 34 Step Cast Factory, 120mm Fork
Shock: FOX Float Factory DPS Shock
Groupset: SRAM X01 Eagle AXS, 12spd, SRAM AXS Controller,
SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon 148 DUB Crank,
SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t Cassette and SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd Chain
Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB 68/73mm Threaded BB
Brakes: SRAM Level TLM Brakes, SRAM CLX Centerlock Rotors, 180mm
Headset: Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset
Handlebar: Santa Cruz Bicycles Carbon Flat Bar Syntace LiteForce Stem
Grips. Santa Cruz Grips
Wheels: Reserve 28|XC Carbon 29″ Rims on DT350 Hub Wheelset
Tyres: Maxxis Rekon Race
Dropper Post: RockShox Reverb Stealth 31.6
Saddle: Fabric Scoop
Web: Juliana NZ
Words: Kerrie Morgan
Photography: Henry Jaine
Review: Bontrager XR1 Tyres
“There is something really, really appealing about the instant speed you have on offer from a lighter tyre…”
If there is ever one change I make to my bike, to make it go faster, it’s always my tyres. Whatever discipline you are trying to excel at, tyres are a critical part of making that possible. Tyres are also the one area where you can gain or lose weight dramatically, and the increased impact this has, via the inertia factor, means that if you haven’t thought about changing your tyres to better suit your riding style – you should! Fortunately, they are one of the easiest things to change, which makes experimenting a breeze.
A lot of today’s trail bikes come with pretty chunky tyres, which look great – and give great confidence rolling down the hill – but if you haven’t at least tried a set of lightweight XC tires, you might just not be aware of how much rubbery lard you are dragging around with you. If you predominantly keep the wheels on the ground, and tend to ride in drier conditions, you might be able to try a lighter tyre.
Bontrager’s XR1 are their new, lightest of the light, fastest of the fast race tyres. I’ve been riding the 2.2 TLR (tubeless-ready). The XR1’s weigh in at just 630g, which guarantees speed off the line. The tread is extremely low profile across, with slightly raised outer knobs. It also features the Bontrager ‘TM-Speed’ compound that rolls faster, making it the go-to race tyre for Trek Factory racers. Under the skin, the XR1’s feature a 120tpi construction giving them a nice supple feel and ‘Inner Strength Casing’ which is made of a lightweight nylon insert that provides strong, supple sidewall protection for added tire durability, with minimal weight penalty.
Setting them up on the bike was a breeze. They mounted straight up with minimal fuss and were seated easily with my Blackburn Chamber Tubeless floor pump. Out on the trails, I was again reminded that everything is a trade-off and, as much as I do like riding with larger tyres generally, there is something really, really appealing about the instant speed you have on offer from a lighter tyre – they transform your bike into feeling quite different. The XR1’s really motor along, and the combination of low rolling resistance and low weight means you just seem to be able to ascend in one or two higher gears than you usually would.
The XR1’s are naturally most at home in dry conditions – did I mention those centre knobs are small? They are probably only 2mm tall but, in the dry, they are still surprisingly effective at generating traction. Heavy braking, however, needs to be executed with awareness as it’s not hard to move from slowing down to front wheel drifting – brake on the straight before it’s too late! The TM Speed compound was also impressively grippy over tree roots. In the wet, they have their limitations, and if I knew I was racing in the wet I’d opt for something like the XC2 or XC3. The close knobs don’t shed mud as easily as some others – but, on the plus side, the low knobs don’t hold as much mud either. The side knobs provide surprisingly effective cornering support considering the overall size of their bite. In the dry, I found myself impressed with just how far I could push them. The Inner Strength Casing, so far, has kept the puncture tally at zero – which is great.
Experimenting on tyres isn’t something most of us can afford to do too often but, at an RRP of just $79, the XR1’s fall a decent amount under the cost of some other name brand tyres. So, if you’re looking for a lighter tyre for some summer racing, bikepacking, or even just to make it easier to keep up with your fitter friends, the XR1’s are definitely worth a look.
Review: Lance Pilbrow
Distributor: Trek NZ
RRP: $79
Column: Beer Guide Issue 105
Mountain biking and beer seem to go together, so it’s no surprise to see an increasing number of breweries pedalling beers with an MTB connection.
The first brewery out of the gates with a strong bike theme, was Rotorua’s Croucher Brewing. The brewery was well-established when it did a brand audit five years ago and decided to move away from its old branding – a large C on a stylised shield. That logo shrunk on the label to make room for illustrated scenes from Rotorua’s many adventure sports, with mountain biking and cycling imagery a core part of the new brand.
In the core range, Croucher has the Enduro Pale Ale, Moonride Black IPA and Lowrider, a 2.5 per cent ‘small’ IPA. Seasonal releases include Hard Tail APA, Single Track IPA and Freewheeler West Coast Style IPA.
For founder Paul Croucher, it’s about connecting to the local community and identifying strongly with Rotorua.
“You know how craft beer evolved through hipsters down in Wellington? Well, in Rotorua, it evolved through the adventure sport guys – mountain bikers, white water rafters,” Croucher explains. Croucher goes a step further and is an active sponsor of mountain biking events in the area. And when he says sponsor, it’s more along the lines of supplying beer for competitors to refresh themselves with after they’ve crossed the line.
“We sponsor every event we can down here. We’re not exactly a cash-flush business but a lot of events just want a free beer at the finish line. It’s amazing how grateful people are. We just hope to send people away with a fond memory of our beer - and maybe they’ll buy it again.”
Local community plays a big part in many other brands’ MTB connection. In Wellington, Double Vision Brewing were partly drawn to their Miramar location by the mountain bike tracks in the area, says co-founder Warren Drahota.
“We’re all into mountain biking at Double Vision. When we were looking for different sites to set up we scouted a few, including Brewtown in Upper Hutt, but what we found in Miramar was an awesome community — and a whole lot of bike trails a couple of blocks away.”
The Miramar Track Project takes in the area around the old Mount Crawford prison on the end of the peninsula, with track names such as Repeat Offender, Jail Break and Solitary.
Before they’d even opened the brewery, Double Vision had a beer called Repeat Offender, which featured a rear view of a mountain biker jumping over a police car. But when Drahota did a bit more research he found Mount Crawford used to be mixed gender prison so they reworked their artwork to have a woman on the can.
Bringing a woman onto the beer was an important connection for American-born Drahota, who grew up idolising his cousin Karen Tremaine, who was one of the best riders in the US at the start of the century, contesting World Cup events.
There’s also a strong female presence on the Miramar tracks.
“We have heaps of riders in Miramar but the amount of phenomenal female riders is high compared to other places I’ve been mountain biking.”
There’s a similar story behind Eddyline’s Crank Yanker IPA, albeit with twisty history. It started life — as Eddyline did — in New Mexico, where Mic and Molley Heynekamp opened their first brewery. They had an IPA based on one of their home brews and named it Pick Axe IPA, as a tribute to the nearby New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. When they moved Eddyline to Colorado, they realised Pick Axe wasn’t going to work in the adventure state so had a competition to rename the beer.
“We had a ton of mountain biking that started right near the brewery,” Mic Heynekamp explains. “And someone came up with the name Crank Yanker, explaining that the beer was what you had after you ‘yank your cranks all afternoon’. It’s apt because the brewery is at the bottom of the valley and every climb starts with a brutal ride up.”
When they moved Eddyline to Nelson, Crank Yanker came too and Heynekamp said the name translated well.
“Most people that mountain bike get it. But the funny thing is that we did have some locals going ‘cranky Yankee’.”
The label comes from an oil painting done by then rising artist, Jesse Crock.
In something of a bonus for Eddyline, shortly after they opened in Richmond, the Silvan Forest Mountain Bike Park opened in the hills above the brewery.
“A lot of people park at our place, ride up and come back down and have some pints; beer and mountain biking goes together great.”
Nelson’s strong MTB culture is reflected in Sprig + Fern’s Local Pinner Pilsner.
Local Pinner is slang for a fast and experienced racer. The idea for Local Pinner came from Sprig + Fern designer, Hayley Ottman, who hails from the West Coast of America and loves to ride. She designed the label after a ride with friends, capturing the adrenaline of Nelson’s world class mountain biking culture and giving a nod to enduro and downhill racers.
“I’m into all outdoor sports, specifically growing up with surfing. Locally, my brother also used to race downhill mountain biking and is the one who brought the likes of Loose Riders to Nelson, so biking is in my blood,” Ottman explains. “Even if you don’t bike, it’s showcasing that this sport and its culture is bad ass and this is a bad ass beer.”
In the deep south, Wanaka’s b.effect has gone from supplying beer to Bike Glendhu, making a beer specifically for them, to now partnering in a tree-planting project. b.effect founder, James Hay, is a keen mountain biker and was working with Bike Glendhu, sponsoring events and giving them beer when they needed it. Eventually, the two businesses came up with the idea of brewing a beer specifically for Bike Glendhu.
The result is Hero Dirt, a sessionable 4.6 percent American Pale Ale, designed to be enjoyed after a ride.
“Bike Glendhu is about 15 minutes out of town, and the beer was originally made for their café; we wanted people to be able to have one or two and still get home OK,” explains b.effect marketing manager, Molly Hope.
The two businesses aligned further around carbon-offsetting.
“About six months ago, we started on a sustainability journey, doing a carbon footprint audit to work out where we were, and to make steps to reduce emissions.
We want to use our beers as a force for good and we want the consumer to understand where it’s going and have a relationship with the beer. Bike Glendhu had an initiative to plant 30,000 trees by 2025 and we already wanted to plant trees, so we decided on 3 percent of sales to go back to them.”
Hope said they were asking local stockists to match their donations; “to make it a community effort and tell the story that this beer you’re drinking helps plant trees”.
Words: Michael Donaldson
Photography: Caleb Smith and Callum Wood
Review: Camelbak Rogue Light
“The Rogue feels like it’s barely there.”
The Rogue Light is Camelbak’s latest lightweight hydration system. With its minimalist setup, the Rogue is ideal for when you need to take a bit more than a bottle, but still want to take as little as you can get away with.
The Rogue comes supplied with a two litre bladder, which is just right for a decent ride. For storage, there is the main compartment that the bladder sits in – this has a small internal zippered pocket, great for glasses or wallets – then there is another zippered pocket on the side, which is ideal for keys, muesli bars and multitools. Lastly, there is an open pocket which is ideal for storing a raincoat, and having it open means you can whip it out quickly when a shower comes through. It’s available in no less than five colours; on test is the Fired Brick / Koi version.
The fabric of the Rogue is noticeably thinner than previous Camelbak’s I have owned, and this obviously helps keep the weight down; being lightweight and breathable is clearly the defining goal. The shoulder straps are a mesh material, as are the side panels of the pocket, while the back panel is Camelbak’s Air Support system which, again, creates a sort of lightweight, padded mesh panel on either side of your spine, creating a groove for your spine to comfortably sit in. On the front, there is only a single strap across your sternum. I thought I might miss having a hip strap, but on a lighter bag like this I didn’t notice its absence one bit. The Rogue stayed in place just fine and I never noticed it rocking around, side to side. Internally, the bladder sits neatly in its pocket and is held in place vertically by a hook and loop system, with the plastic loop of the bladder hooking into the sewn loop of the bag.
Camelbak’s Bite Valve system is tried and true, I find the flow just right and really like having the shut-off valve that prevents anything leaking out when something is sitting on it in the boot of the car.
I’ve had a number of Camelbaks over the years, and they’ve always been larger versions, such as the M.U.L.E. However, I can see real appeal in these lighter versions.
Often, a larger bag on your back feels heavy and sweaty on hot days – comparatively, the Rogue feels like it’s barely there. Because of that, there are a number of people that the Rogue might really appeal to – for starters, younger riders. The Rogue is fundamentally just a small, light hydration pack. With a lot of smaller kid’s bikes not having room for a water bottle in the front triangle, having a backpack is ideal – but most packs are adult sized.
The Rogue is small enough that it actually looks just right on kids. Our kids (aged eight and ten) can attest that the Rogue is a winner for them. (There is a heap of adjustability in the shoulder straps so don’t think that it’s not a good fit adult’s too!)
The second unique group that might be really interested in the Rogue, are the bikepackers – or ultra-distance riders – who, again, want minimal equipment but often need to carry extra water through a section, or the ability to stow more food than their bags can easily hold.
The Rogue fits the bill nicely for them too and, as a bikepacker myself, I think I will be taking this on my next mission for this very reason.
I really liked the Rogue Light. It’s minimal, durable, cool, and comfortable.
At first, I thought this probably wasn’t a product I would have bought for myself, but after having a chance to test it, it’s actually got a lot of use – I probably grab it more often than I do my M.U.L.E now, and the fact that it makes a great fit for the kids as well means that it’s getting used by someone on just about every ride. •
Review: Lance Pilbrow
Distributor: Southern Approach
RRP: $139