What do you do when you have 8 best mates and a blank canvas to craft the ultimate NZ MTB escape? Well, I did and we went down south! Combine bikes, food, beer and wine with some truly good mates. Smile and laughs and an aching jaw!

Kick off Craigieburn, bike hike 700m vertical then ride one of the best alpine dh tracks in the world, thanks to local Ritchie Goldsbury.

Then to Naseby, an amazing old gold mining town unchanged from the 1800's and then an epic forest ride with Kila, another local legend.

Day 4, off to Alexandra, now this was outrageous, with some scary rock drops and the only double black diamond trail sanctioned in NZ. Thanks to Phil for showing us around.

Finally, 3 x days in Queentown, heli biking, gondola and pedals, all having their place in a trip that was truly world class!

Hey, don't get us wrong, there are loads of amazing bikes out there, but Trek just hit the nail on the head for performance, innovation, reliability and fun factor.

We have been riding the Fuel EX 9.9 29er for a season of guiding and not a thing went wrong, we didn't even replace a chain! It was all good times. We increased front fork travel from 135 to 150mm and the bike is a trail weapon. Fast, light and super capable. And it looks good too.

As our season came to an end and we are all taking a break we decided to run a selection of Trek Slash 9.8 enduro machines. Scott the owner has been on his down in Wanaka for the last month riding in snow and ice when not up the ski field. Theres nothing but smiles and rave reviews, standby for a full in depth bike review in spring on the green machine. Also he will review his new Flite Carbon wheels, the worlds best wheel by far and the addition of a Fox X2 shock, buttery smooth.

If you want to talk with us about Trek, just email scott@justmtb.co.nz and we can mail, Skype of Zoom anytime

DO YOU REALLY NEED THE KITCHEN SINK ON YOUR RIDE?

For quite a while now I have been extoling the benefits of riding with a utility belt. I’ve been copping a whole lot of flak about it too. People pointing and giggling and mates arguing over what I might be carrying in my “bumbag”. “You look like a twat” is the most common feedback I get, but luckily none of this fazes me as I have a dry back, plenty of spare parts and hair grooming products, and I just know it looks great with my socks and SPD sandals.

A trip to a new country can seem daunting - with the constant fear or missing out on something amazing. If only you had the local knowledge so you didn't miss out on all the best bits. Luckily there's people like us ready to show you and share our favourite bits of New Zealand learned through many years of riding and living here.

You can enjoy trails where you'll see no one all day long - sounds too good right?

Pick The Best Trails To Ride

You're on holiday so your time is limited. Sure, if you had 6 months you could bumble your way around and ride all the New Zealand mountain bike trails - finding the best and the worst on your journey. But for those who have only a few days or maybe to enjoy New Zealand, it's important to make every single trail count!

With your suggestions & feedback on the trails you want to ride, our guides will tailor your experience so you maximise every minute of riding time to get you grinning ear to ear. Our aim is to show you the best of New Zealand's singletrack - and this means riding the only the best trails - no fillers, just amazing trail after amazing trail after amazing trail. Our highly experienced guides have spent years exploring the country and know all best tracks, secret trails and shortcuts so you don't have to. Want to ride something specific on your mountain bike tour? Just say and they'll try and make it happen!

Escape The Tourist Trails

We've spent years riding in New Zealand - and we've seen mountain biking get more and more popular every year. During peak times of year some of the trail systems can get quite busy, and this is the time to escape and ride something a little quieter. Fancy riding your own private trail where you're not likely to see another rider - our guides and their superb local area knowledge will make it happen. They'll get you away from the crowds so you're not waiting in a lift queue for hours or jostling for position at the trail head, but riding pristine singletrack instead.

Relax Post Ride

What's your ideal finish to a ride? Relaxing in natural geothermal hotpools with a beer, swimming in a crystal clear lake or watching the sunset over the beach with a BBQ? Whatever it is, it's highly likely our guides have been there and tried it already, so can show you the best locations.

Beat The Weather

No one likes riding in the never ending rain (well people say they do). Knowing the local weather systems is key in a small country like New Zealand. Where to ride in the rain and where not to, which trails dry quickest, which areas are most protected from storms & cold and won't leave you soaked and miserable. It's all information gained over years of riding & studying weather maps and the reason we make our tours flexible; so you do make the best of what the weather gods bring.

Roadtrip Stops

Between riding locations we've earmarked a few less well known "must see's" too. From climbing giant limestone boulder fields to walking through gold mining tunnels, climbing (or riding) a volcanic cone to enjoying crystal clear lakes with snowcapped mountains. It's all about seeing stunning New Zealand at it's best.

Not a bad view en-route to the trail

Eat The Local Food

It's important to power up between rides, and while you're here you might as well check out the local food. As two small mountainous islands, New Zealand's cuisine takes inspiration from surroundings - the mountains and the sea. There are a few classic quintessential New Zealand dishes that you should try whilst here and our local guides know all the best places to enjoy them;

Hangi - a traditional Maori meal of cooked meats and vegetables cooked underground by hot stones.

Lamb - New Zealand's lamb is world famous, chances are you've seen it in your local supermarket. Now's your chance to try the freshest locally reared lamb whilst dining on a working sheep station

Venison - vension is a big deal in NZ. There's plenty of quality locally reared venison across both islands and a certain few chefs who know how to cook it just right. If you're into steaks - this might just the best one you'll ever have

Whitebait Fritters - a seafood treat quite unique to New Zealand. Once that you'll have to try if by the coast

Mussels & Oysters - a classic seafood staple, and one that you can find fresh all over New Zealand on a daily basis.

Fish & Chips - likely one of the most commons "take out" meals in New Zealand. Cheap & extremely fresh, it'll change your preconceptions on what it ought to be

Stay In The Right Places

Accommodation almost at the trail head might seem a great idea but in reality doesn't often live up to expectations. You need a comfortable place to sleep and some great scenery to enjoy with breakfast & dinner.

Luckily we know the mountain biking areas exceptionally well and have found the best mix of accommodation close to the trails that's perfect for the job. High mountain lodge - check, house with ocean views - check, mountain top hut - check, lakeside house - check. Yes, some may take a few minutes to get to the trails from, but you won't be complaining whilst drinking a beer in these idyllic spots at the end of the day.

It's extremely difficult for you to predict the terrain you'll face whilst riding on our New Zealand mountain bike tours. Understanding what sort of trails you'll be mountain biking on is an important part of deciding which bike to bring with you and how to set it up for your ride. Choose a bike with too much travel and you'll suffer on the climbs. Stick the wrong tyres on and you'll find the rest of the tour racing ahead of you.

Which Wheel Size

A hot topic in the world of mountain biking at the moment is wheel size. Are 29 inch wheels superior to 27.5, or should we all have stayed riding 26 inch wheels. For riding in New Zealand, it really doesn't matter - you're not racing (well ok maybe you'll race the others for beers).

There's a real mix of terrain on each tour, slow and tight switchbacks, fast rocks descents, technical climbs and long ribbons of flowing singletrack to name but a few. The key thing to conquer all the trails and ride them fast isn't about wheel size, but more about the confidence you have in whatever wheels you are riding. In short, there is no perfect wheel size, bring what you have and what you feel comfortable riding.

How Much Suspension

Whichever mountain bike you decide to bring for you tour will need to be versatile. It'll need to be able to pedal uphill well on our longer backcountry rides and allow you to descend confidently over a mix fast, flowing and technical rocky & rooty singletrack. Sure, you could ride a hardtail, but you'll probably also want to bring a personal masseuse then too!

A bike with 110-150mm (4.5-6inches) of travel seems to hit the sweet spot for the mix of trails that we ride whilst on tour. 29ers generally sit at the lower end of the travel spectrum here with them becoming "too much bike" anywhere over the 140mm mark. Bikes with 27.5 or 26 inch wheels tend to ride the terrain better with a little more travel, around the 140-150mm region (5.5-6inches).

Of course you can go for more travel, bikes like the Giant Reign, Santa Cruz Nomad and Specialized Enduro are all popular choices for riders looking to maximize their fun on the descents. These bikes however tend to be a bit more cumbersome and energy sapping on the climbs.

Gears

With single ring drivetrains all the rage at the moment, it doesn't mean they're the perfect option for New Zealand's mountainous terrain. Whilst the latest Sram Eagle 12 speed is fantastic and has a huge spread of gears, it doesn't mean it's necessarily any better than a 10 or 11 speed setup with a granny ring.

Consider that on your New Zealand mountain bike tour you'll be riding everyday with anything between 800 to 1500m vertical ascent a day. That may sound fine as a one off, but remember you'll be riding up to 12 days in a row. At the end of a long tour your tired legs may well enjoy having a 2x setup with a granny ring to slowly winch up the hills. Afterall, it's not a race to the top.

Brake Rotors

Whilst there are some extremely long descents in New Zealand (anything up to 10km) they in general aren't the sort that will see you on the brakes non stop. The level of mountain bike trails you ride will dictate your braking needs - the grade 5 & 6 mtb trails are a lot steeper than the grade 3 & 4 mtb trails.

Whereas you'll be fine with 180mm rotors if you're intending to stick to trails at or below a grade 4 (advanced) level, if you're a rider who likes their trails a little steeper or may spend a bit of time in a bikepark whilst with us, it's worth looking into getting a 203mm rotor for the front at least.

Tyres

The South Island is particularly rocky in comparison to the North, so a more robust tyre choice is key. We've had great success with the Maxxis EXO range, providing a strong enough sidewall and carcass to get through whole seasons without replacing a tyre or getting a puncture.

During peak summer season (Dec - Feb) a faster rolling pair of tyres will save you some energy on the climbs while still providing ample grip on the descents. Outside of this period, it's worth considering something slightly more aggressive to deal with any potential moisture you may encounter.

Our favourite summer combinations;

Maxxis Minion F, Maxxis Ardent/Agressor RMaxxis High Roller 2 F, Maxxis Ardent/Agressor RSchwalbe Hans Dampf F, Schwalbe Nobby Nic R

Our favourite spring & autumn combinations;

Maxxis Minion F&RMaxxis High Roller 2 F&RSchwalbe Hans Dampf F&RSchwalbe Magic Mary F, Schwalbe Hans Dampf R

Aim for a tyre in the 2.3 - 2.5 inches wide category as this will provide plenty of volume to help you float over the rocks and roots. If you can run tubeless tyres, we highly recommend it.

The Perfect Mountain Bike?

While there will always be an argument that there's no such thing as the perfect mountain bike for all occasions, we've ridden a few that are pretty damn close. Bikes such as the Giant Trance, Santa Cruz Bronson & the Kona Process 153. Sure there's a whole heap more bikes out there, but we haven't ridden them so wouldn't like to blindly judge.

There's a common theme in that they all tend to be around 140-150mm travel, pedal well enough to be ridden all day and in-still confidence on fast technical descents due to their refined geometry. That's why our rental fleet is predominantly made up of the Giant Trance range and why they tend to be our guides bike of choice.

After reading all this, if you're still pondering which is the right mountain bike to bring for your New Zealand tour, please contact us and we'll happily give your our suggestions.

You've booked your New Zealand mountain bike tour, paid the deposit and booked your flights. The next big question is what to pack and should I bring my own bike or rent one?

There will be a number of factors to consider, starting with

is it serviced & fully workinghow much will it cost to transportdo you have a sufficient method of packing are you travelling outside of the tour timehow long are you riding for

Benefits Of Bringing Your Own MTB

The very first advantage of bringing your own bike is that you know it inside out. You've bought it to suit your needs & riding style, and perfected the setup; stem, bars, suspension etc. It's likely you've been riding it for a few months if not years and understand how it reacts on different terrain and in different environments.

New Zealand's riding terrain will likely be different to what you're used to riding at home, so being able to keep as many variables the same can provide a huge advantage whilst you're riding. This will mean you'll be able to ride faster and more confidently - and who doesn't want that?

Of course you already own your bike, so you'll save some money bringing it with you versus renting. Most mountain bike rental companies in New Zealand will charge $100 a day for a good quality full suspension bike like a Giant Trance. Airlines such as Air New Zealand will only charge $100 - $150 to carry your bike.

Considerations When Bringing Your Own Mountain Bike

Firstly you should consider if your bike is suitable for the tour you've signed up for. Take a look at our blog - Which Mountain Bike To Bring To New Zealand to see our suggestions on what makes the perfect bike for the terrain. If you haven't got something suitable for the style of riding you're going to be doing, it's worth renting - this will massively increase your enjoyment being on a bike that's perfect for the situation.

It's essential to service your bike before your New Zealand mountain bike tour and make sure it's working perfectly. The bikes get ridden hard for days in a row and any weaknesses with your machine will soon provide an issue. Even a small thing like a worn gear cable can end in disaster with a snapped mech and hanger. If you haven't got time or it's going to cost too much to service, it may be worth renting for your own peace of mind and enjoyment.

You'll also have to pack your bike in order to take it on the plane. If you don't already have a bike bag we highly recommend the Biknd range. If not, a cardboard box from your local bike shop will do. For details on how to pack it, see our blog post Packing Your Bike For Travel.

Benefits Of Renting An MTB

By far the biggest benefit of renting a mountain bike is that it makes everything much easier. The bike you rent will have been serviced by a mechanic and should be working well. It should also be the perfect tool for the terrain as you'll have specified what trails you'll be riding.

It makes travelling a lot easier, especially if you are planning on stopping in another country on your way to New Zealand for a few extra days holiday. If you're only riding for a couple of days renting will likely end up cheaper.

You'll save time & stress the night before you travel because you won't have a bike to pack. Instead you can relax and have a beer!

Another added benefit is that you can treat it as a test ride. If you're in the market to buy a new bike, or want to try out the latest tech before investing your own cash, what better way than to test it out on some proper mountain bike terrain. And if you do decide to buy from the shop you rent from, you'll likely get a great price too.

Renting An MTB In New Zealand - What To Consider

That daily charge can add up. If you're joining us for a 12 day mountain bike tour, renting a bike may seem quite expensive versus bringing your own.

Because it's not your bike, it won't be set up for you. Some things you'll be able to dial in; brake lever angles, tire pressures, suspension etc. Some things you won't; stem length, bar width, drop on your seat post. Every bike differs in geometry too; reach, head & seat angle, wheelbase and chain stay length will be different from your bike at home. This can make the bike feel a little alien at first so you'll have to take the time to learn how it rides and how far you can push it.

If you break a rental bike, you'll likely have to pay for repairs unless you've taken out insurance. Chances are that broken mech or tyre that you'd wait and buy on sale for your own bike will cost you a lot more to buy immediately at the local bike shop.

Renting A Mountain Bike - What We Can Offer

If you're joining us for a mountain bike tour in New Zealand we can talk you through various rental bike options. We run a number of Giant Trances which we've handpicked as the ideal tool for the varied terrain we ride on. If you want to know a little bit more about the rental options we can provide for you, please contact us.

Whether you're escaping winter blues or just in need of some bigger hills to ride on, a packaged mountain bike tour may seem a great option. Everything set out for you, nothing to worry about or organise for yourself, or is there? All to often the key details are overlooked or glossed over when booking these packages, so here are a few important things to consider before booking your next mountain bike tour.

1. Check The Itinerary - How Much Riding Do You Actually Get?

One of the first and most obvious questions when booking a mountain bike tour should be how much riding time am I going to get? You're going on holiday to ride, so it's worth researching the itinerary thoroughly and asking how much riding you'll get per day. Plenty of mountain bike tours seem to offer 7 or 14 days riding, but in reality do you classify 1-2 hours as a days riding? Make sure you ask specifically how much riding you'll get per day and on what sort of trails. Any operators that actually provide plenty of riding will more than likely be happy to tell you in detail all about it.

2. What's Included in The Price?

A little like booking a budget flight with Frontier, Easyjet or Jetstar (dependent on where you are in the world) the initial low price may be alluring and seem great value. But be smart and work through the extras and what it'll end up costing you at the end of the day. Hidden prices for meals, shuttles, airport transfers, twin share accommodation could all add up to be close to the price of a much higher quality tour which doesn't have these hidden yet mandatory extras.

3. Are The Mountain Bike Tours Any Good? Check User Reviews

One of the easiest way to check out a company is through past user reviews. Whether it be Facebook, Trip Advisor or the reviews page on the companies own website, there is plenty of opportunity to gain great feedback from people who've actually been on the tours. This is where you'll likely find any issues with the tour & the company, ie lack of riding, poor guiding etc. Alternatively this be where you make your decision on who to use when booking your dream mountain bike holiday.

4. Are The Guides Relevantly Qualified?

You're putting your safety in the hands of these guides, it's important they're qualified & experienced to guide you and your friends. Otherwise they may as well not be there. In some cases the guides may not ride with you, instead sending you into the forest and hills with maps - so if being guided during your tour is important, then make sure you ask and clarify how many guided days you'll have during your tour.

5. Do They Have Concessions & Tenure - Can They Work There?

This may not seem a big issue, but imagine in your line of work a competitor entering into competition with yourself, using communal assets without paying for, maintaining or replacing them, whilst you do. There's a band of strict legislation that mountain bike tour operators must abide by to be able to operate in New Zealand - those that don't are at risk of being shut down mid tour. Not the greatest end to your holiday. Make sure you ask about the certification to operate and sustainability issues such as what do companies provide back into community for trail maintenance & new trails?

6. How Big Will The Tour Group Be?

Ask how big the group is and how many guides you'll have per group. The more riders per guide, the less personal time you'll have with your guide. This means everyday logistics will take more time, and you'll get less instruction and tips passed directly onto you to improve your riding across a week. A small group should have a guiding ratio of no more than 6 riders to a guide to allow proper group management & integration. To put this into perspective, try walking round the supermarket with 16 children and not losing any of them.

So whether you're contemplating a week long mountain bike tour in New Zealand, or long weekend the next state over, make sure you do a thorough scope of all your options. After all, the quality of your experience and outcome of your holiday could be at stake if you use the wrong company.

Research your tour contents thoroughly, otherwise you may end up disappointed and underwhelmed

What are the things you'd always take on a ride? One of our New Zealand mountain bike tourguides share their selection of favourite tools to carry with them on a ride

There are some things we take everywhere, phone, house keys & wallets form the basis of the list for most people. For our mountain bike tour guide Stu it's no different - he has a definitive list of kit he religiously takes on a ride, whether it be a one hour sprint in the local forest, or a backcountry epic.

Crank Brothers Multi Tool

This thing goes everywhere with me - it's been across 3 continents, 8 countries, done 9 seasons guiding and fixed thousands of problems. It's starting to show it's age, but this thing has taken multiple lifetimes of abuse. It's got everything you could possibly need to fix a bike trail side, all the hex keys, t25 key, multiple sizes of flat and crosshead screwdriver, chain tool, spoke wrench & spanner.

Home Made Tyre Boot

Your eyes do not deceive you. This was previously a toothpaste tube. However with a little cutting & shaping it turns into a great tyre boot for emergencies. Pop it in the tyre between the sidewall and the inner tube, and save yourself a long walk home. I once wanted to see how far I could push it after putting an inch slash in a tyre sidewall, 4 weeks later we were still going strong

Box Of Bits

Nothing ruins a ride more than a mechanical. With a few basic bits and pieces, most problems can be easily fixed, whether it be a lost bolt, snapped chain or a moving part decided to rub. The contents of the box differs over time but the important part is to have a broad mix of bits and pieces to make repairs with. My favourite part? Park Super Patches - an absolute life saver on so many occasions, whether it's for their intended use of repairing tubes or holding a split cable outer together.

The Leatherman

Better than a swiss army knife, it's saved my group on multiple occasions. From removing broken spokes, cutting away cables and zip ties, to tightening rounded bolts and even cutting the cheese for lunch. The trusty Leatherman always sits in my bag ready for an adventure.

Pedros Tyre Levers

Possibly the cutting edge in tyre lever design. I've broken almost every other brand I've used fitting & removing tight tubeless tyre combinations. And while this may be the second set I've moved onto, the first ones lasted 5 years. An overlooked item that will make your life 100% more enjoyable when you're sitting on a mountain top changing a tyre with 10 eagerly watching customers.

For more on what we carry on our tours, take a look at our blog post on essential kit for wilderness mountain bike tours.

It's a broad question - "why do we/you/I ride?" An open question with a million possible answers, however everyone we ask seems to answer in one of a handful ways. We put it to one of our mountain bike tour guides - why do you ride?

Adventure. I love the adventure, the places it takes me and the things I see. Getting away from cities, people and stress, to the silence and serenity of nature where nothing seems to matter. You can have the pressures of the world on your shoulders, but riding through beautiful landscapes in remote areas seems to wipe it from our memories - a natural stress reliever almost.

One of the best things about our guided mountain bike tours for JustMTB is being able to share those adventures. I get to ride in some amazing parts of New Zealand that many New Zealanders haven't heard of let alone been to, so I feel especially lucky to be able to share these secrets with our guests. From the epic old growth rainforests of North Island dominated by giant ferns and ancient trees to remote and baron mountain tops near Queenstown.

Each adventure is different, has different characteristics and provides a different buzz for me, my personal favourite at the moment is the Old Ghost Road. 85km of singletrack that threads through a variety of terrain, from temperate rainforest to open rocky alpine ridgelines, and old ancient forests to bridges snaking through a series of chasms and gorges. It's an adventure of a lifetime, especially staying in the mountain top hut overnight.

Overnight hut on a clifftop overlooking the wilderness of New Zealand - ticks our boxes