Hot Rides

After crossing the Kawarau Bridge just before Conical Hill the bare steep rock faces move back to reveal Gibbston. It's a wide open river flat that's now mainly covered in vineyards. The main town once stood where Coal Pit Road heads for the hills, as did we.

Dave and Ditte link together stops for gelato and burgers (in that order) with honest exploration of Ben Lomond and the Queenstown hinterland.

The day started like any other. The sun came up in the east and slowly but surely persuaded the clouds to exit stage left. Our high country grand loop began at Moke Lake on the Ben Lomond Station Farm Road near Queenstown.

Back in the late eighties, mountain bikers use to ride big bloody heavy steel bone shaking and crushing mounts (and lived in shoe boxes in gutter), suspension was courtesy of Fisher Fattrax tyres and the rider's arms and legs, but boy did we enjoy the wild Skippers Pack Track.

Wanaka town floats at the edge of a beautiful blue lake cradled below a stunning rim of rocky and jagged mountains brimming with mountain bike trails to explore.

The Paparoa Track joins the Old Ghost Road and Heaphy to form a holy trinity of multi-day backcountry rides on the upper West Coast. All are bucket list worthy. Ground Effect hit the Paparoas on opening weekend for our Xmas Party.

Fresh off the plane and back in her home town of Wanaka, Mops Newell reflects on her 2019 EWS season. Shifting allegiance from Masters to Women’s Elite was a step up but still a sweet, fun ride - just with a few more (big) bumps.