We were fortunate enough to meet Kelly on a few occasions, and he was as humble and genuine as they come.
The McGazza Fest was a jump jam organised in Kelly’s honour, and held at Queenstown’s famous Dream Track jump line. Check out all the action from the day in the video recap below- Kelly’s spirit certainly lives on!
Last night we received the news that Kelly McGarry had passed away. A text message from a friend, then an avalanche of tribute posts from mates and sometimes competitors of Kelly’s on social media confirming that it was true.
It’s always incredibly sad to hear of the passing of someone still so young. Especially someone who is so completely, totally alive that it seems almost impossible that they could leave us. And there aren’t many who could lay claim to having been more alive than Kelly McGarry. A huge man, a friendly man, all grinning teeth, flaming hair and improbable talent, brave as hell, doing things most couldn’t even dream of.
There are people across the world who will be hurting desperately today. Friends and family, obviously, and our heart and love goes out to them. But other riders too, people who probably never knew Kelly personally, but who will feel less secure today, shaken, made very aware of how tenuous and precious it all is.
We’d say “be careful”, but being careful wasn’t what Kelly was about. So instead, do what Kelly McGarry would have done – brighten up the darkness with a ride, have a laugh, and make the most of every single day.
Ever wondered what it would be like to ride a descent so long you have to stop for a shave?
Admittedly we’d never imagined this, but after watching Kelly McGarry and Jeremy Lyttle shred over eighteen thousand feet of descent, we’re keen to give it a go!
With the M-Class we took Kelly McGarry and Jeremy Lyttle to the highest elevation they’ve ever been to – Khardung La – and let them have the downhill ride of their lives from 18,380 feet in the Himalayas.
Best known for his breath-taking downhill footage escalating in a flip over a 72-foot-long canyon gap at Red Bull Rampage 2013, Kelly McGarry does not shy away from extremes. So we took him and fellow rider Jeremy Lyttle to the highest and most remote place he’s ever been: Khardung La – the supposedly highest vehicle-accessible mountain pass in the world at 18,380 feet (5,602 m) and let them have the downhill ride of their lives.
In recent years there has been a real increase in quality direct to the consumer brands.
Companies like Polygon and Cell are bringing out well specced, well designed offerings at amazing price points by cutting out the middle men. Now, another player has rolled into town- YT Industries. With a bevy of top gravity athletes using their bikes, such as last years Red Bull Rampage winner Andreu Lacondeguy and freeride legend Cam Zink, these bikes are obviously built to take a beating!
Twenty fifteen marks the first year that YT will be available in Australia, and the Capra All-Mountain bike, available in both carbon and aluminium models, offers brilliant value for money. You can have a look at the range and availability through the Australian website, which is now live!
The main focus of the 2015 range is the further development of the award winning downhill bike, the TUES, and the construction of an all-new aluminum version of the enduro bike CAPRA. The CAPRA AL will replace the WICKED and delivers the same performance as it’s big brother, the CAPRA CF, at a price that’s affordable for everyone.
CAPRA Aluminum
In 2015 YT launches the first aluminum version of the CAPRA, that will replace the WICKED series. The enduro bike features all the performance and build quality of its carbon brother. The reach and stack, flat bar angle and steep seat angle make for a perfect rider position, while a short chain stay enhances the bike’s handling and makes the rider feel like he is a part of the bike.Like the TUES, the CAPRA is equipped with a V4L suspension system, a major factor in its staggering list of past victories. The V4L system has very distinct advantages: it provides all the suspension needed for hammering down hill, without loosing efficiency on climbs. So while it meets all downhill requirements, the springs also deliver energy from the drivetrain directly to the back wheel when peddling.
Besides that, the V4L system separates the brake torque from the suspension, completely eliminating fork dive when braking.
CAPRA Carbon
The first year of this carbon enduro bike was distinguished by a load of test victories . In 2015, as well as offering a bigger choice of colours, YT Industries also introduce a new model to the CAPRA CF line. While the CAPRA Pro will be given new E13 TRSr wheels and a revised colour way, YT also built a new CAPRA Pro Race model, targeted at enduro racers .And the configuration speaks for itself: it’s equipped with new BOS Deville suspension forks, with 160mm of travel, FCV (Frequency Control Valve) shocks that reach new levels of performance and the new Renthal Fatbar Carbon 780mm handlebars with a Renthal Apex stem. And as the cherry on top the Mavic Crossmax Enduro wheels will make for minimum times in all races.
TUES
In 2014 Andreu Lacondeguy won the toughest competition in the sport of mountainbiking on his TUES: the Rampage. Team mate Cam Zink secured runner up at the same event and won Best Trick Award. In 2015 the new wheel size 650B (27,5“) dominated the further development of the TUES by taking full advantage of the potential of this enlarged size and adjusting the downhill bike’s geometry to fit perfectly. Based on the feedback from Cameron Zink and Andreu Lacondeguy the 4th generation of this successful downhill bike comes close to perfection: the hydro-formed main frame is as light and stiff as its predecessor and excels with a low focal point. The 27.5“ wheels also allow for the pedal bearings to be fixed underneath the axles.
Additionally, the geometry has been enhanced with a longer reach, to achieve the more centered position of contemporary DH racing, which makes hitting jumps on gnarly trails more safe.
FIRST LOVE
Your first beer, your first girl, your first time -there are some things you’ll remember all your life. The FIRST LOVE is the ideal dirt bike for ambitious riders getting into street or dirt. It’s tough, durable and extremely easy and forgiving to ride.
DIRT LOVE
From contests to jam sessions the DIRT LOVE delivers a one-of-a-kind ride that’ll take your breath away. Like YT Industries team rider Andreu Lacondeguy, who rips the biggest tricks on his DIRT LOVE, you’ll be surprised how big you’ can go on this bikey ourself.
South Australia should be on every traveling mountain bikers bucket list. There is so much riding on tap and close to the city it’s just not funny, and it should be mentioned that World Cup DH shredders Conor Fearon and Troy Brosnan both hail from Adelaide.
Kelly and Tom only just scratched the surface with what is on offer in South Australia and both plan on returning soon in the mean time join them on this Excellent South Australian Adventure.
Back in June NZ’s Kelly McGarry, Tom Hey, filmer Ross McKay and I jumped on four separate planes and embraced the four hour flight to Adelaide, South Australia from NZ. It was both Kelly and Tom’s first time in South Australia and this video goes part way in capturing our whirlwind seven day trip that included Great White shark diving, DH trail shredding, dam jumping, kangaroo eating, 16″ bike racing, 29er riding and not finding Troy Brosnan’s secret Flinders Range huck zone.
South Australia should be on every traveling mountain bikers bucket list. There is so much riding on tap and close to the city it’s just not funny, and it should be mentioned that World Cup DH shredders Conor Fearon and Troy Brosnan both hail from Adelaide.
Kelly and Tom only just scratched the surface with what is on offer in South Australia and both plan on returning soon in the mean time join them on this Excellent South Australian Adventure.
The crew from the most excellent Kiwi publication and website, Spoke, recently made the journey to Melrose to soak up the good vibes of the Fat Tyre Festival. It was the third time they’ve made the trip to this tiny South Australian town, and that tells you something. The Melrose Fat Tyre Festival is unlike any other mountain bike event in the country, and this video captures what the FTF is all about perfectly.
This year, Queenstown-based freeride legend Kelly McGarry was there too, getting right into the swing of Melrose life. We can’t wait to get back there…
Kelly McGarry would be terrible at hide and seek. He’s six foot four and with a mane of red hair that would put your average viking to shame – there’s not much chance of missing him.
‘Hey, has anyone seen Kelly?’
McGarry is also NZ’s finest freeride export, and for the past seven years he’s been travelling the world, completing in slopestyle and freeride contests, making a name for himself a rider fond of big lines. He divides his time between two of the best riding destinations on the planet – Whistler and Queenstown – meaning he doesn’t have to worry about winter ruining the fun.
While in town for the X-Up Freeride Festival (sadly cancelled due to Mother Nature’s tantrums), he dropped by the local jump spot to have a chat.
These are decent old jumps – the bigger kickers are a good eight foot tall, with gaps that most would think twice about. Only, when Kelly rode them, they looked small. His bike looks small too, almost like it has 20″ wheels, and he chucks it about; it didn’t take too many runs through the big set till he was 360ing and flipping.
360 table over the big one.
In between runs through the jumps and sips of Coopers Pale, we asked Kelly about how the freeride scene is changing, where it’s going next, which riders inspire him (Darren Berrecloth) and why we should all make the pilgrimage to Queenstown NZ.
One-foot table over the hip, looking far too relaxed.
