Elsewhere
For this adventure, that place is Te Waipounamu. Starting in Queenstown, we’d catch the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, ride part of the Around the Mountain trail then link in the Nevis Road, ending in Bannockburn. It would be ridden over three days, cover over 260km in distance, and ascend over 2800m on terrain that would be 95% gravel. This southern area of Aotearoa is a splendid part of the country and offers so much riding variety - from cycle trails to backcountry gravel.
0 Comments13 Minutes
Ally Wollaston: On the right track
Ally Wollaston is busy. Between messaging her on the evening of her first World Tour victory at the Tour Down Under in January, and speaking to her for this article, over a month has passed before we can find time to chat.
0 Comments23 Minutes
The Awe of Aotea
There’s a real lure of an island that sits right on the edges of our largest city. It’s been on my radar for some time and there’s been a few abandoned attempts due to weather, timings and getting a crew together. But this place needed to be discovered and explored – not that we’re the first to do so, or the last. Finally, everything aligned, and we would get to experience this island paradise for ourselves.
0 Comments21 Minutes
Sea to Summit Products
As the evolution of bikepacking continues to see more riders embark on multi-day self-supported rides, so does the gear that supports these adventures. It’s good to see that we’re now in a space where outdoor companies are providing lightweight and robust products created for the purpose of bikepacking.
Chapter 2 Kaha
There are not many cycling brands that hail from our shores; however, Chapter 2 goes against that trend. The brand has been around since 2017 and continues to add road and gravel models to their niche fleet.
POC Kit
POC is widely known for its unmistakable helmets, worn by selected pro teams and aspiring gravel influencers alike. Not so common, is the knowledge they’ve been applying the same design philosophy to their top-shelf apparel offerings. Clean, thoughtful cuts with block colours; simple and effective. Oh so Scandi’.
Apidura Racing Series Hydration Vest
As athletes begin to push rides further and longer, the need for additional hydration has also increased. It could be because front triangles are now commonly filled with frame bags, meaning a lack of space for water bottles, or perhaps due to the environments we’re riding in, which provide fewer options to refill our water stores.
Restrap Race Bags
One early morning for Restrap founder, Nathan Hughes, and a late night for me, we connected via our computer screens. Our times zones weren’t in sync but our passion for cycling was. Nathan oozes enthusiasm for riding and it quickly became clear to me that he has a deep understanding of the bikepacking sub-culture.
Sweet Protection Kit
It’s crazy to think that until 1989, skateboarding was banned in Norway - deemed too dangerous by the government of the time.
Elsewhere
For this adventure, that place is Te Waipounamu. Starting in Queenstown, we’d catch the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, ride part of the Around the Mountain trail then link in the Nevis Road, ending in Bannockburn. It would be ridden over three days, cover over 260km in distance, and ascend over 2800m on terrain that would be 95% gravel. This southern area of Aotearoa is a splendid part of the country and offers so much riding variety - from cycle trails to backcountry gravel.
0 Comments13 Minutes
Ally Wollaston: On the right track
Ally Wollaston is busy. Between messaging her on the evening of her first World Tour victory at the Tour Down Under in January, and speaking to her for this article, over a month has passed before we can find time to chat.
0 Comments23 Minutes
The Awe of Aotea
There’s a real lure of an island that sits right on the edges of our largest city. It’s been on my radar for some time and there’s been a few abandoned attempts due to weather, timings and getting a crew together. But this place needed to be discovered and explored – not that we’re the first to do so, or the last. Finally, everything aligned, and we would get to experience this island paradise for ourselves.
0 Comments21 Minutes