Events in New Zealand are always going to be full of crazy new experiences. Being one of the greatest riding destinations in the world, how could they not be? The NZ MTB Rally is one of those kiwi events which keeps New Zealand’s reputation for holding legendary mountain biking events alive. With not just one, but two helicopter rides, a boat cruise and 4×4 shuttle vehicles at the Rally, the riders had an insane mountain biking journey across the 6 days of racing.
Located at the top of NZ, the race wrapped in and around Nelson’s mountain bike haven. Despite Nelson’s mountain biking scene being slightly under the radar, the area presents long, raw, natural tracks with elevation drops from which brake-pad dealers earn their revenue.
Day 1: Wairoa Gorge
Day 1 shone bright and early as 120 riders grabbed their bikes and directed their wheels toward the steep and rugged Wairoa Gorge.
The gorge was purchased by a billionaire back in the 90s who used the acreage to produce his own personal mountain biking playground. These professionally built trails were inaccessible until the land switched hands, opening the trails up to the public. Now that Nelson MTB Club has the green light to make use of the vast 72 km of steep, techy, hand-cut descents, the club booked the area out to kickstart the 2024 NZ MTB Rally.
Once at the top, riders began to drop off into the stages. Racers were on course from about 09:00 to 15:00, tackling rugged, but well built trails all day long.
Having been involved in EDR events around Europe in the past, the organisers of the event, Trail Addiction, know how to ‘put the heckle on’ for riders coming through to the finish. They even provided vuvuzelas and air horns to get the atmosphere booming.
The energy of the crowd was helped along by the sizzling BBQ and the stash of ice-cold beverages at the bottom.
Day 2: Golden Bay
After a generous dose of steep, gnarly trails the day before, riders were met with some fast-paced flow on day 2.
The day only truly began after an essential hit of caffeine at the Woolshed Cafe (which is an actual cafe in an actual wool shed), where riders loaded onto another shuttle headed for Golden Bay and Abel National Park.
Offloading from the coach, competitors began the trek to the first stage of the day. This special liaison wound its way through one of the few national parks in New Zealand where riding is permitted, as many others are restricted for conservation reasons. The well-established forest of the national park provided an amazing environment to ride through.
Reaching the top of the hill, riders were presented with long, back-country-style stages.
Riders started the day right, coffee in hand from the Woolshed Cafe, before jumping on the first shuttle to Abel National Park.
Day 3: Cable Bay
No sleep for the weak when in NZ! Riders were up at the crack of dawn to make the 80-minute cruise across to Cable Bay. To cut through the early wake-up blues, breakfast and coffee was a welcome addition to the on-board provisions.
The layout for the day included some of the best trails the Cable Bay Adventure Park has to offer. Not to be underestimated, this park recently held the NZ enduro champs and has bagged a Trailforks ‘trail of the week’ award.
The boat docked very close to the Cable Bay Adventure Park, where riders began the pedal and shuttle liaisons through the park.
Day 4: Coppermine Saddle
We’ve seen 4×4 shuttles and boat cruises, special stages and suspension bridges… I know what you’re thinking: surely the organisers of the NZ MTB Rally couldn’t dream up anything else to make this event even crazier than it already was at this point.
Well, they could, because day four was the first of two heli-bike days included in the week.
Riders were faced with a thrilling trip where both bike and rider were transported in a helicopter to the top of Stage 1. If they weren’t fully awake boarding the heli, they definitely were by the end.
Once back on solid ground, despite being a bit ruffled by the journey up, racers were clipped in and ready to tackle Stage 1. Built as a trade corridor to the mines of chromite in the 1890s, this trail is now a shared track between mountain bikers and walkers. Flat corners and multiple pedalling sections made this trail challenging to race, but it was at least closed to walkers for the day, so it was only expected that competitors avoided large rocks and trees, not innocent walkers out for their casual morning hike.
The remaining stages included steep sections of trail with roots and tight corners thrown in here and there. A special stage was also included for riders racing the extended course. It was not a mandatory stage for all competitors, but was a treat of a trail for those who rode it.
Day 5: Wakamari
A new day, a new NZ destination. On day 5, riders were transported to Marlborough, where rustic backcountry-style stages lay waiting at Wakamari.
Following an hour-long bus ride and 8 km of uphill climbing, it was time for the second heli-uplift of the event. The whirlybird took racers to the remote ‘Foster’s Hut’, near the summit of the Wakamarina trail.
It seems that it takes more than one helicopter ride to get used to the experience of the flight, and some riders found the unique shuttle more of an adrenaline boost than the trails themselves.
Day 6: Nelson
The sixth and final day of the NZ MTB Rally… a bittersweet thought; legs were tired and rest was needed, but the tirade of incredible mountain biking was soon to end.
The course for the final hurrah of the rally was organised so that riders started and finished in Nelson’s city centre, keeping them in close proximity to drinks and a soft bed at the end of the course.
The layout was similar to previous days of riding and was, naturally, jam packed with 4×4 shuttles, amazing scenery, and 5 special stages to wrap up the week.
Stage 1, aptly named Te Ara Koa (Trail to Happiness), was a dust bowl of good times. Being such a long trail, the stage was split in the middle, allowing riders to coax the circulation back to the hands and arms before heading off once more.
Unfortunately, Morgane Jonnier went down near the end of Stage 1, taking herself out of the race. She was hot on the heels of the current first place, Rae Morrison, all week, and so it was a shame that the race had to end for her so close to the finish.
An incredible race by Matthew Fairbrother
The man of the week, Matthew Fairbrother, turned up to the NZ MTB Rally ready to do what no one had ever thought of attempting before… racing the whole event unsupported. This meant no shuttles, no heli drops, no accommodation, and no catering. Why? No one knows. But he succeeded, regardless.
Not only did he manage this amazing feat, but also won the whole event, coming out on top in the Open Men’s category!
Results from the week
Find the full list of results here.
The NZ MTB Rally encompasses Kiwi racing at its finest. Watch this space for more New Zealand-style races to come!