FreerideNZ Winter Programe

FreerideNZ's winter programe is up and running. We are your solution to finding the best snow in the Southern Alps, any day, any time.


Day trips to:

The Remarkables
Coronet Peak
Cardrona
Snow Park (Night Riding)
Treble Cone


Escape the crowd and shred the pow at:

Ohau
Round Hill
Dobson


The hassle free way to get the most out of what the Southern Alps offer.

For up to date conditions and guiding options free dial 0800 RIDE NZ

WWW.FREERIDENZ.COM

We Came, Saw & Concured!

Photo: Evan Welsch. www.evanwelsch.com

Scree slopes and bikes might not be everyone’s usual ride outing but it sure is fun!

With base camp at the bottom of the mountain we sat around our lakeside fire nervously sharing stories of what awaits the following day. Had this ever been done before? Seemed to be the most repeated question. It was certainly fair to say there was a high amount of anticipation in the group which was later made easier with a night cap or three. We woke early and headed up the mountain with our 4x4 access.

“See we just ride down there, it’ll be sweet” I remember saying. But as the drive up continued we began to relise the what looked like small looking pebbles were no smaller than a basketball! Oops what have I got the team into here!

We left the truck when it couldn’t get us any higher and endeavoured to summit the mountain of rocks ahead of us. We all scrambled our way to the never ending top with bikes being hung, slung dragged up behind us. Shortly after getting our breaths back at the peak began the horror and realisation that we still needed to RIDE back down this mountain! The rocks looked smaller on the next slope so we walked along the exposed ridge line to find small rocks that weren’t the little pebbles they looked like from below but certainly more realistic than the boulders we climbed up on.

There wasn’t really much we could do but look straight down the barrel of our scree shoot and pretend it’s not so bad. Walking back down would probably end up harder than riding down so a way I went. Leaning back and looking a head. Brakes are virtually impossible on this stuff so you’re completely in for the ride. Not knowing what was over each brow but hoping for more scree and no big rocks.

I made it and god did it feel good! Will I do it again? Yes please!

Dan

65kms in one day… No biggie!

I had passed through it countless times, each passing I was left wondering what actually lies behind those mountains? Are there trails back there? I had never heard of anyone riding bikes there but surely its possible…maybe?

Enough with the pondering I wanted to find out what’s back there! Find out if there is trails deep in the Lindis Pass. After grabbing some fresh topo maps we set out into the unknown. It’s a 5.45am wake up and we are on the road. We are travelling down a gravel road that just wont end. Chomping at the bit to get on the bikes and explore. The map suggests there’s parking up ahead, we take the next corner and come over the rise to find two big campers and a couple of cars on the side of the road. We thought we were the pioneers! Who are these impostors!

After parking up it seems like splits of second before we are clipped in, camel packs filled and riding towards the campervans to get to the start of the track. As we approach some friendly kiwi faces pop out of their weekend trailer home and offer us coffee. There’s the lingering smell of cooking bacon smouldering out of the caravan door which they are leaning out of. We were so pumped on the ride even coffee and a chance of a cooked breaky couldn’t distract us!

Off we set. Into the mountains and the great unknown. The trail starts off flat before a steady climb through numerous valleys. We become completely surrounded by barren mountains with no sign of life anywhere. As the riding continues the trail is forced over the top of the mountains. We stop at the summit of the first mountain and can almost look down to the Linids Pass road, even the ocean isn’t out of sight from up here! Being amongst the mountain peaks gives you a real sense of adventure and achievement. There’s plenty of Kodak moments on the peak as we prepare for the well deserved descent! Life doesn’t get better than this!

Dan

New Heli Bike for 2010

Out with the old, in with the new! Our new Wanaka heli bike has riders landing at over 6000ft, high enough to see Mt Cook! Enjoy the spectacular giant lakes below while standing beside a high alpine lake at the beginning of the ride. Conveniently the trail ends at the Lugget pub for a thrust quencher and a chance to talk about one heli of a ride!

For more information check out www.freeridenz.com

Wanaka Lismore Jump Jam 09

Rider: Phil Mclean

Thank god summers here and no better way to usher it in than a dirt jump comp at Wanaka’s one and only Lismore Park. Last year the jam went off with many sick riders throwing down big tricks on some sweet jumps, this years competition made last years competition look like a cycle safety day at the local primary school. Local 443 member Dan Hayden had taken many unpaid months off work to completely rebuild the course (with help of some other locals) and turn it into a smooth buttery dirt jumper’s dream. Not to mention the standard of riding had gone up to, Christchurch rider Phil Mclean set the standard on practice day with Tuck no-hander flips and Tailwhips!

The jam day on Saturday the 24th of October was perfect, sunny with little to no wind. The young local kids of Wanaka put on a fine display and it is scary to think if a 10 year old can do all the jumps in the park, what the hell will they be doing in 8 years time when they are my age!?

Kiakoura’s local ripper Quinn Nicholls started the junior grade with a hiss and a roar leaving everything on the course including much skin and a concussion or two. Inevitably Phil Mclean claimed first with his huge trick bag and unmistakable style, his partner in crime Tani TePou get second and showed even though he has only been riden for a year, he is one to watch out for.

Rounding out the top 3 was Wanaka local Monty Vass with tones of boost and style on his bmx, he even wore a helmet for the comp. The open grade did not have as much skill as the junior grade but was just as thrilling. Elmo Cotter claimed first with massive 3’s and flips, John O'brien got second after punishing himself on the jumps all day. Finally I got a disappointing third after a bad day with not been able to do some of my tricks and an injury from the day before. I crashed out attempting an x flip, bad day at the office lol.

All in all sick day thanks to Dan Hayden and all my boys from dunz ( you no who u are) and Shoosh cycles and FreerideNZ.

Words:
Tom McPherson

Wanaka Urban Downhill Jump Demo

Rider: Sam Proctor
Photo: Sam Walker

The Wanaka jump demo organised as part of the highly successful Urban Downhill proved to be a great success. Over the day the drawing crowd of spectators were treated to a diverse display of freestyle mtb/bmx from both locals and out of town riders who had travelled from all around for the demo.

Initially however the event was under some doubt, waking to a light but persistent drizzle I found myself worried that my travel all the way from Dunedin had gone to waste! However I made my way down to the main street at around 8oclock to join fellow Shoosh Cycles team member Tom McPherson where in the now patchy but noticeably heavier rain we set up the freestyle ramp supplied by Reaper Pit Bikes. The ramp was covered in blankets and tarpaulins in hope we could keep it dry until the event!

By 1oclock, to the surprise of everyone the sun had broken through the cloud and created an exciting atmosphere for the riders and spectators. The covers were taken off the ramp and once it was dry it was time to ride!

As spectator numbers grew the riding became more and more exciting. The crowed were treated to back flips, nacs, can-cans and a variety of other tricks. An uncertain morning had become a great afternoon for both riders and spectators, the combination of the jump demo with the Urban Downhill made for a brilliant day of riding and everyone who came went away smiling!

Words: Sam Proctor, Dunedin, NZ