A perfect day for the final round of the Outside Sports Tri series.  

It was also the lucky day for a couple of Queenstown locals, who after having completed at least 3 of 5 rounds went into the draw to win a Specialized Ruby and Roubaix.

Tamsin Browne takes the Ruby (her bike was desperately in need of replacing) and Mark Hyland takes the Roubaix. 

The world’s most scenic test the best Specialized demo day.

Not a bad backdrop for a bike test demo day held at 7 Mile Queenstown last Tuesday.     

In conjunction with Specialized NZ and Classic Hits we’ve just given away a bike to one lucky local child.  For the last few weeks the local kids have had the chance to win their own Specialized bike by ringing into the breakfast show with Ferg.  

The Classic Hits give away was won by local Skye Thompson, sister of emerging NZ Triathlon talent and Outside Sponsored athlete Fynn Thompson.  Skye upgraded her bike to a Myka Disc, as she was soon going to outgrow a 20" Hotrock!

Jim and Justin attacked the Motatapu 47k Mountain Bike on the weekend with a little help from GU energy gels. 

For Justin it was a day of firsts, his first XC race and first time wearing very tight fitting lycra but he was up for a challenge.  He’s no slouch on the bike, but he’s usually riding a Stumpy Evo in baggies.  So he borrowed a bike up for the task, a  Specialized Carbon Epic 29er’ and taped his mantra to the bars.  “You don’t look this ridiculous for nothing” and he speed along the course.  Whether it was the tight clothes, the message, the bike or those GU gels something got him over the line in an impressive 2hr 25mins, amazing results for a first timer.

Jim – he’s a veteran at the Motatapu and had his race all planned out.  Here’s how he got on...

“Well, my plan was to start easy and finish strong. I started too hard and when we hit the first climbs the selection was made and I couldn't follow the lead group so had to back off and settle into my rhythm with a couple of other guys. We took turns and silently motivated each other. I saved my special GU Roctane's for the last half of the race when I would need a boost. My energy levels were up on last year and I felt less cramping. It felt good to be able to attack the final 15km. With a time of 2.05 I placed 14^th overall.”

Go team GU.

You should all know by now that Wednesday night is ladies night at Queenstown Bike Park and last week we had more than 30 girls riding up there which was awesome!  It doesn’t matter if you want to lap Hammies or tackle Ants or Grundy there is always a few keen faces to come ride with you.

This week was a little different.  Jono from Queenstown Bike Taxis stepped up and offered his services... a tough call really, offering to drive a gaggle of ladies bikers around all evening but he handled it well. 

A few of us met Jono at Outside Sports and made our way up to Zoot.  The first shuttle was by no means full but by the third Jono had to call for a 2^nd van and trailer as more and more girls kept appearing.  Along with some of the ladies night regulars we also had some newbies come join us and after the first cruisy lap to work out the track everyone was loving it. 

It’s really good to see the girls loving the biking and taking it more seriously. I think Santa did well this year as there were definitely some new shiny full face helmets and knee pads around... thanks santa!

The night rounded off with some tired happy girls sat around gossiping and eating the most amazing chocolate cake.  Thanks Lou for having a birthday and bringing us cake, you rock!

Hope to see you all next Wednesday and don’t forget to bring your friends!!!

2012 started with a bang in Queenstown and I’m not talking about the New Years Eve fireworks!  Not only did the NZ Downhill Nationals take place at The Remarkables but the first Monster Energy Unofficial New Zealand Pump Track Champs were held at Outside Sports’ Ride Demo Centre. 

After an absolute scorcher of a day on The Remarkables track the riders were a little tired to say the least but that didn’t stop them.  Challenges included fastest lap, best trick, most stylish lap, best crash and last man standing which provided first class entertainment. Matt Walker from Rotorua took home the incredibly ‘bling’ trophy for fastest lap with a time of 18.46 seconds.  Conor MacFarlane took out the field for last man standing quite literally with a few cheeky manoeuvres and Wyn Masters won most stylish lap almost managing to manual the entire track. 

Thanks to Skyline, Atlas Bar and Monster Energy for the great support! 

Drop into the Ride Demo Centre, just down from the Skyline Queenstown Gondola and post your lap time.   

Check out some more pictures on Facebook.  

Our new ride centre pump track hosted the League of Gentlemen pump track challenge last night.   

$2, a few beers and a sausage sizzle.  Thanks to the team from NZ Shred for organising the evening.  Was a great turnout with lots of antics.

Full credit to Patrick for capturing the trick of the night, Connor launching off one of the berms into a back flip.

http://www.fallon.co.nz/?p=1838

See you there on Monday for the Unofficial Monster Energy New Zealand Pump Track Champs!  Everyone’s welcome so come test your skills.

Only 9hr 5min later, easy.

60% riding, 20% bike hiking, 20% pushing (depending on how tough and courageous you feel along the narrow sheep tracks with the shear drop offs)

What a mission, with special permission from the landowners at Moonlight station we set off on a bike/hike mission to explore and check out a few trails. 

It began as an easy descent down the old pack track into Skippers and along the road to the bungy bridge, then it all began, picking a path along the river beds, traversing up and over the saddle and into the water race up Stoney Creek. 

The water race is old and narrow, fantastic for sheep and goats, not so great for a biker without precision balance, or tightrope walking skills.  We took turns in tumbling down the sides of the banks all with minor consequences. 

We negotiated the most terrifying slip ever, tip: you can traverse it above, highly recommend taking this route and somehow we ventured a little off course and took a rather wet detour through the river up to the waterfall, not a bad route for a hot day. 

As we came out to the first signs of civilisation (a 4wd rd)  we steered off the track again to follow the fence line down into the forest and enjoyed an awesome descent through soft loamy forest with lots of fallen trees and debris.  The water race at the edge of the forest led us out to the new Moonlight Lodge, no salvation yet though, the lodge is still a work in progress. 

From here it was a battle against the sun, wind and the biggest hill ever, or maybe the smallest but I was exhausted and it felt gigantic.  It climbed up to the top of the ridgeline, where we joined the sheep and traversed until we spotted the stock bridge below.  This is where the highlight of the day was, an epic, freeride descent.  Choose a line, anyone you wish and pin it.  Like the ultimate big mountain ski run on a bike.

The track then climbs again, to join the Moonlight, where we headed back towards Arthurs Point.  One more great descent to end the day with a huge smile. 

Exhausted and barely able to walk, but still smiling. 

What a day, what a mission.   Here’s to many more, and thanks to the Moonlight Station crew for the special access permission.

Outside Sports Classic Hits Kids Tri

Giving it a go

Over 160 kids from Wanaka and Queenstown gave it a go at the Outside Sports Classic Hits Kids Tri on the weekend.  Held at Jacks Point, kids from 5-14 years splashed, dashed and biked their way around the set course.  The teenagers set the pace with a fiercely contented groups division and there was mixed reactions from the 5 year olds with many of them taking part in their first ever tri.

Ruby Andrews and Ben Hull took home an early xmas treat, winning the spot prizes of new 2012 Specialized Kids Bikes.  What a win! 

In it’s 9^th year the kids tri is a popular fun event, introducing the kids to the increasingly popular sport.  The next tri event for the season is The Ultimate Tri Series kicking off on the 27^th December at Lake Hayes, the newly structured event caters for all ability levels encouraging everyone to get in and give it a go.