Posts
281
Joined
4/5/2012
Location
Toyota Hiace, NZ
Alright Vitards. Myself and a friend of mine have recently decided to quit our reasonably well paid, stable jobs designing motorcycles here in the UK to live in vans in New Zealand for the summer and ride mountain bikes every day. I'd like to hit up some moto spots when I'm out there if even just to watch (I won't have a bike or my gear with me). When does the national series start? Are there any other moto/endure series that are worth looking into? We'll be arriving in Christchurch in late November and plan on flying out of Auckland in maybe March or April. Is the motocross scene bigger on either of the Islands?
We'll be looking at doing some sort of day or weekend moto/enduro riding somewhere on the north island as well if anyone has any recommendations? I'll no doubt want to scratch the itch after a few months... I know Ben Townley has a place in/near Taupo but last time I looked it seemed pricey.
Also looking for mtb riding buddies in case any Kiwis on here ride. We're both fairly capable (Joe's qualified for an EWS in Fort William, I've been moto-ing since 11y/o) and up for any style of riding.
(Stay tuned for a similar post but about BC, Canada in about 5 months time
)
We'll be looking at doing some sort of day or weekend moto/enduro riding somewhere on the north island as well if anyone has any recommendations? I'll no doubt want to scratch the itch after a few months... I know Ben Townley has a place in/near Taupo but last time I looked it seemed pricey.
Also looking for mtb riding buddies in case any Kiwis on here ride. We're both fairly capable (Joe's qualified for an EWS in Fort William, I've been moto-ing since 11y/o) and up for any style of riding.
(Stay tuned for a similar post but about BC, Canada in about 5 months time
)
Spent 3 weeks on the North island with the wife on our honeymoon traveling around and surfing. Passed by a few MX tracks, but it was during the week and they were ghost towns. Loved that place, the hospitality was great, plenty of little campgrounds to stay at with little cabins you can rent for the night. We traveled around like gypsies, surfing, enjoying the sights and making friends along the way. Some that we still keep in touch with to this day! Only bummer was the grub, that's unless you love fish and chips! Good luck and make sure to share some photos here!
best is probably the facebook sites https://www.facebook.com/NZMXNationals/
the big races are summer x in between xmas and new years, which is near whakatane,
https://www.facebook.com/BOPMCC/
Woodville NZ MX GP, which is near palmerston north near the end of January,
https://www.facebook.com/manawatuorion.mcc/
BT runs his tours out of the Rotorua/Tauranga region, where there is a a heap of mountain biking as well, yes he is pricey, but he does run a good tour and he will work something around your budget if you want to give him a shot
there is a heap of mountain biking around here, i live in that area as well so give me a yell when your close,
,
there is a couple of other bike parks that will rent bikes, thundercross valley bike park just south of auckland,
https://www.facebook.com/thundercrossvalley.bikepark
and i think the sandpit north of auckland did as well, not sure if they still do tho,
https://www.facebook.com/EndlessDirtbiking/
both those are more trail riding than mx tho,
ps, dont mention the rugby
http://burtmunrochallenge.co.nz/
This is in Southland at the bottom of the South Island, they have a beach race, speedway (solo's and sidecars), hill climb, circuit racing, street race and drag racing all over a period of 4 days.
Christchurch has a very good mountain bike park up in the Port Hills.
https://christchurchadventurepark.com/
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Sound like I'll be able to hit up the 3 mx rounds on the North island, as that's roughly where we plan to be around that time. Also Woodville NZ MXGP looks possible too. Is Woodville race a sort of pre-season national scale thing? Like Hawkestone would be in the UK?
We were going to spend a fair chunk time around Rotorua, and are keeping an eye on Crankworx there. I'll deffo send you a cheeky PM close to the time, and Rotaholic too. Local knowledge is invariably better than what you can glean from Trailforks imo.
Also, I'm actually Irish, so as long as you don't mention the rugby we should be golden
Woodville is sort of like hawkestone I presume , just remember everything is smaller here , but Woodville run a river race which is cool to watch , and all the top riders will be there , Juniors run the Saturday and seniors Sunday , there is a round of the mx champs I. Rotorua too
Crank works is cool , I have some accomodation close to Rotorua in the same camp ground Bt runs his tours from so hit me up closer tot he time
The bike park is good, but over used as they are still adding trails. Once they get a few more in, and the trees grow again it should be mint.
The port hills that they operate on also have a number of trails that can make for a full day of riding - with a bit of road work to complete the big loop.
Head into the mountains and there are some really great trails at Craigieburn (about an hour away from Christchurch)
Mt Hutt does some good shuttles days and the trails are pretty good too.
A really sweet area for MTB is Nelson. Wairoa Gorge MTB park is just downright awesome https://www.thegorge.nz
Some good rides further down south too around Queenstown and Wanaka.
Drop me a note when you get into Chch and I can show you around.
I did all my MX in Auckland area where you could ride somewhere every week.
Sold up when we moved to Aussie, and have just been MTB since returning to NZ and settling in Chch.
http://www.bentownley.com
There are both tours catered to racers and trail riders. The NZ getaway tour looks awesome.
Feel free to mention the rugby on my behalf too
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