Mountain biking, the most versatile, and arguably the funnest of all cycling disciplines.

Credit: Michael Jacques, www.karapoti.co.nz

Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport or past time that consists of riding a specifically adapted bicycle off-road. Mountain bikes have tough and durable frame and components, wider tyres, and a more upright position. 

Mountain biking can be performed almost anywhere from a back yard to a gravel road, but the majority of mountain bikers ride off-road trails, whether country back roads, fire roads, or single-track (narrow trails that wind through forests, mountains, deserts, or fields). New Zealand has a world-class portfolio of tracks and trails appropriate for mountain biking, from city-based loops (Woodhill in Auckland), dedicated mountain biking trail centres (examples include Rotorua,  Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown), and backcountry trails (Whirinaki, Whakamarina, Croesus, Craigeburn).

There are a plethora of different sub-genres within mountain biking, each with its own challenges and thrills, and often requiring further specialized equipment and skills.

The two most popular are cross-country and downhill. Cross-country is where participants ride over a variety of terrain in a loop or point-to-point. This is the most accessible of all forms of mountain biking because there is little set agenda or standard to it and riders develop their fitness the more they practice it. Downhill however is extremely specialized, requiring a highly specialized mountain bike, protective equipment, specific courses and requires a lot of skill and fitness. Riders are usually shuttled to the top of an elevation using chairlifts or vehicles and then charge down a set course which will consist of very steep, fast, rocky, wooded, terrain that may also contain man-made features like jumps or drops.

Both of these sub-genres can be performed as a highly sociable and non-competitive enterprise or can be performed as a structured competitive sport. In cross country racers typically ride either point to point (distances vary upon particulars of the event in question but can range from 10-110km) or on closed course loops where each lap is on average 5-8km and is lapped repeatedly depending on the category of racer. For downhill racers race point to point against the clock down a set course which are approximately 3-5km and take between 3-5 minutes depending on the technicality of the course. No two courses are the same.

As a competitive sport mountain biking in New Zealand is a very healthy and successful scene. As well as local races that cater towards all spectrums of mountain biking forms, there is the highly regarded National Series that pits New Zealand’s (and increasingly the worlds) best mountain bikers against each other.

In recent years New Zealand has produced 3 junior World Champions, a senior World Champion, and a host of world-class riders that compete on the worlds largest and most prestigious professional trade teams. New Zealand has a reputation of breeding some of the most technically skilled and ferocious mountain bikers and subsequently each year more professional athletes visit New Zealand to take advantage of the mountain biking facilities, competition, and opposing seasons.

Clubs & Events

If you're looking for others to enjoy your ride, you could  join a MTB Club

They offer a chance to learn more about your new passion. Social cycling groups are also very popular. Creating your own informal riding group is also a great excuse to catch up with friends.

There are lots of well run mountain bike events throughout the country - whether you're just starting out or a seasoned competitor

Mountain Bike NZ 

Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ) are the national body for mountain biking in New Zealand and are responsible for leading the development and growth of both competitive and recreational mountain biking.

The goals of MTBNZ are to:

1. Provide mountain bikers with great experiences

2. Increase participation in mountain biking by new Zealanders regionally, nationally and on the International stage

3. Increase the availability and quality of the tracks and trails to mountain bikers

4. Develop talented mountain bikers to compete at the highest level internationally

MTBNZ has entered a strategic alliance with BikeNZ (service organisation) to enhance their capability to achieve the above goals.

Mountain biking clubs are encouraged to affiliate to MTBNZ to further to contribute to the development and direction of the sport in New Zealand.

MTBNZ Executive

The Executive for 2009-10 and their email contact details are listed againt their portfolio responsibilities. 

MTBNZ Executive Meeting Dates, 2008-2009

MTBNZ have released their provisional governance dates for 2008, which can be downloaded here (as of 29 July 2008).  

If you wish to provide input to the montly meetings of the MTBNZ Executive for consideration, please prepare a short written submission and submit it to Chris Mildon, Acting President MTBNZ, by the dates specified in the Governance document. We welcome and encourage input from affiliated clubs and members.

Feel free to contact me prior to preparing a submission if you wish to chat over an issue.

Chris Mildon,
Acting President, MTBNZ 
president@mtbnz.org.nz

MTB Land Access Committee

The MTB Land Access Committee work towards the following goals:

1. For mountain biking to be regarded by politicians, bureaucrats, land managers and the general public as a legitimate form of backcountry recreation - permitted and encouraged in appropriate areas.

2. For decisions about the suitability of mountain biking on publicly owned or managed land to be the result of a public process that is transparent and allows the involvement of all recreational users.

3. To champion mountain bike access and support regional land access initiatives.

4. To forge alliances with interest groups that share the MTBNZ's wilderness values, enabling joint campaigns for the protection of backcountry and urban parks. MTBNZ has an accord with the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC).

5. Work with DOC to ensure mountain bikers’ needs are considered in High Country tenure review negotiations.

6. Encourage environmentally and socially responsible off-road behaviour by mountain bikers through rider education and role modelling.

 The Committee for 2008-2009 is:

 Junior Development

MTBNZ Junior development program information will be updated soon.