We set off north from Dunedin on our way up to Christchurch, its a good 5-6 hour drive up there so on the way we stopped off in a small town called Timaru where we had heard there was a really cool little dirt jump park.
As we rounded the corner we saw what could in no way be called a small dirt jump park, with lines ranging from small tables on the right to massive stepped up doubles on the left and everything in between. It was definitely a spot for hard tail bikes over bigger bikes but the great thing about my Reign X is its versatility and after stiffening up the suspension it was as good as a hardtail over any of the jumps. It was a really fun place to hang out for a couple of hours and ride with the locals while at the same time breaking up the long drive up to Christchurch.
Local Timaru rider showing us how it is
We awoke in Methven. Today Andy from a local guiding company (dhnz) would be taking us on what he promised would be a day of riding we would never forget. We were heading for a secrete locals spot where we were told we would be riding some scree runs. There were no shuttle roads for this type of riding so it was packs on and away we went….Real New Zealand wilderness riding! After a 20 minute ride up a relatively wide track we got off the bikes and preceded in single file out onto the side of the mountain and before long the bikes were on our shoulders and we were once again hike-a-biking up to the saddle between two peaks.
Once at the top though we were confronted by a steep scree slope stretching away for 300m plus in front of us! After a quick snack we hiked out into the middle of the slope until we had a straight run of scree in front of us. Andy pointed out the single track we were aiming for at the bottom and said “its just like powder skiing”, then he was off half carving like a skier. He flew down until he hit the single track and stopped to wait for us to Man-Up and show our skills on this alien terrain! We exchanged ‘it can’t be that hard’ looks and set off on our own little freeride adventure. Once you set your mind to it, it was great. Just using the front wheel as kind of plow to slow you down as brakes were almost useless. I laughed the whole way down.
Riding and Hanging out at Mt Hutt near Methven
Once we all met up on the single track beating each other on choice of line and style. It was going to be hard to maintain that high but the single-track to the bottom was equally inspiring. It shot along the contours of the mountain through forest at the perfect gradient that you could choose to pedal or not.
ahh just more amazing single track!!
By the time we got to the bottom we were shagged but so pumped with adrenaline that we chatted at about mack ten, and anyone who knows me knows how fast I talk when I’m excited, for about an hour before we drove onto Christchurch ready to shred the local trails the next day.
Thanks again to Andy for an amazing day.
Take it easy
Cal
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