Making its third consecutive appearance in the Wakatipu, the Queenstown Bike Festival is back, bigger and better than ever. Running from March 22 through to April 1, the 10-day festival is packed with events for the casual weekend warrior and the hardened professional.
With 25 events in total, there is something for everyone. Nearly every genre of cycling gets a look in - mountain biking, cross-country, downhill, freeride and park. Road biking, casual pedals, even kids' rides. It's not just activities on the bike - there are bike films, parties and more, all in celebration of cycling culture.
Some event highlights include:
The family favourite, the New World Tour de Wakatipu is back, starting at Millbrook Resort and winding its way through the basin to finish at Chard Farm Winery. This cross-country race is open to all riding abilities and has become a firm family favourite over the years.
Those looking for a bit more action with their adventure need look no further than the Super-D. This gondola-assisted race is never short of ups, downs, thrills and spills. Likewise, the Vertigo Bikes Dirtmasters DH is a hearty challenge to the best downhillers, not only in Queenstown, but also to a host of national and international athletes testing their skills in the Queenstown Bike Park.
Returning for a second year is the Teva Slopestyle, held in central Queenstown. The event is now a FMB World Tour Silver Event. Top pros and invited up-and-comers launch themselves on massive jumps and man-made features all under lights and to the roar of the crowd. This spectator-friendly event is not only free to watch but the adrenaline highlight of the festival - not to be missed.
New to the Festival this year is the R&R Sport Mega Avalanche. Starting high on the slopes of the Remarkables skifield and ending at the lake, this test of endurance, courage and brakes is something that will surely be a fan favourite. With a mass start and motorway speeds predicted, this is the sort of race where legends are born.
With over 5000 entrants and attendees at the 2012 festival, bringing in more than $2 million to the local economy, the Queenstown Bike Festival has become a summer fixture and a valuable asset to tourism in general for the Queenstown area.
Organiser Geoff Hunt has high hopes for the festival: ''This year, we're aiming to provide unique, affordable and achievable events for people to participate in or attend. We want to create a festival that appeals to a wide swath of biking culture - mountain bikers, road riders, BMX, freeride - even tandems and unicycles. At the same time connecting with a range of riders - men, women, baby-boomers, the youth market, kids, racers, spectators and visitors to Queenstown.''
The Queenstown Timeshighlights the events to look out for during the 10-day event.
Saturday March 23
Super D: At Queenstown Bike Park, an Enduro uphill and downhill race that runs for six hours non-stop 10am-4pm. Costs $110 individual, $80 per team member.
Super D bike party: Surreal bar. Watch the action of the day with a beer followed by a prizegiving. Starts 7pm. Free.
Sunday March 24
Crown Range ride: Arrowtown to the Crown Range. This is a social ride from the intersection of Speargrass Flat Rd, Lake Hayes/Arrowtown Rd and Hogans Gully Rd. Cyclists will climb the zig-zags to the top of the Crown Range and return to Arrowtown. A road bike is advisable. Starts 8.30am and is free.
Kids Mini X: Butlers Green, Arrowtown. A small course designed around the Arrow River reserve for ages 4-14. Time: 10am-noon, $10
Monday March 25
Go-by-bike day: All over the Wakatipu. Ride to work or with the kids on school holidays, whatever you are doing make sure it's on two wheels. All day. The amount of petrol you are saving means it costs you in the minuses.
Vertigo Giant Skippers Special: at Skippers halfway up Coronet Peak. A supported ride into Skippers canyon at 2pm. Costs $50.
Night-time mountain bike ride: Queenstown. Riding with your mates at your own pace on the trails we all know well enough to be riding in the dark. 6pm and beyond for free.
Tuesday March 26
Girls-only coffee ride: Starting Frankton Beach. Girls on any type of bike riding the trails and roads of Queenstown before stopping at the same destination for coffee and a yarn. Start 10am. Free entry.
Dirtmasters Downhill practice: Queenstown Bike Park. Watch the pros practise ahead of Wednesday's competition. You're more likely to catch the spills and sharp cornering and with a smaller audience. From 10.15am to 12.15am, then 2pm-4pm. Passholders $90, others $130.
Through the lens: World Bar, films capturing all of Queenstown's hot spots such as the bike park, the Gorge Rd jump and biking in the Southern Lakes region. At 7.30pm. Costs QMTBC members $5, non-members $10.
Wednesday March 27
Slopestyle practice Ballarat St car park. Practice for some of the world's best freestyle riders ahead of the first FMB World Tour event in New Zealand. All day for free.
Dirtmasters Downhill: Queenstown Bike Park. The downhillers utilise one of the country's best bike parks using a gondola access way. From 10.15am to 12.15am then 2pm-4pm, prizegiving at the Lone Star from 7pm. Passholders $90, others $130.
Brecon St downhill finish party: Brecon St stairs. This is very nearly the favourite to watch. The world-class riders leap over these steps and perform tricks like you wouldn't believe with some local DJ commentary. Good atmosphere and right in the middle of town. From 1pm to 5pm. Free. Thursday March 28 Hilton Coffee ride: Hilton Hotel for those who like coffee and pedalling, this is a dream Thursday morning social ride. Riders will take the Queenstown trail and enjoy the sites before rewarding themselves with coffee and cake back at the Hilton. At 10am, and it's free. Teva Slopestyle: Ballarat St car park. A discipline of mountain biking that holds the best tricks judged for style and difficulty. Flatspins, can-cans, flips and Supermans in front of a usually giant crowd. Practice all day, competition 6pm onwards. Free.
Friday, March 29
Konica Minolta Bikes in the park: Earnslaw Park. Think unicycles, dress-ups, bike jumps and children. This is the perfect day out with the kids. Starts at noon. Free.
League of ladies: Seven Mile. An exclusive ladies event for teams and individuals. Not a serious event, but dressing up is seriously recommended and the event will be followed by a drink at the Lone Star afterwards. From 5pm to 7.30pm. Gold coin donation.
Saturday March 30
The Tour de Wakatipu: From Millbrook to Chard Farm. A 45km elite and recreational ride from Millbrook to Chard Farm via some of the Wakatipu's best trails and tracks including unique access to the Close Burn Station. Starts 8am, $75 adult, $45 junior, $45 runners.
Sunday, March 31
Mega avalanche ride: The Remarkables. The start is high on the main ridge line visible to Queenstown at 1980m. Riders will descend the main ridge through wild country riding on track, rocky drops, tussocks. Time: 10am practice, 2pm race. The Full Monty costs $205, Deluxe $145, Hardcore $85.
Bike made in NZ with love: AJ Hackett bungy centre. Made in New Zealand's competition winner 2013 will be crowned. Cycle builders from all over the country, professionals, gifted amateurs, artists and dreamers have been encouraged to show their creation. Builders enter road bikes, cruisers, cross, mountain bikes, downhill bikes, hot rods, porteurs or commuters. Any bike Made in New Zealand ''with love'' could be entered. Time: 6pm; costs $10 (including transport).
