Photo: Piper Albrecht
This year I was lucky enough to have the support from Kiwi MTB Collective, alongside Pivot Cycles, to travel to Europe and race my first season over there. It was such an amazing experience with so many fantastic memories throughout. This was my first time overseas without my family so there were definitely some nerves but the excitement levels were through the roof. The team had great dynamics and it was an awesome environment to race and train in. That first month there was back to back racing and so was the most mentally and physically difficult. Just the number of U19 girls lining up on the start line was daunting - going from a big field of 10 in NZ to 80 girls my age! The first month prepared me for the rest of the season and by the last month I was loving it! Representing NZ at World Champs was the most amazing experience - literally in every aspect! The racing, spectating, cheering on other kiwis - all of it was amazing.
For the remainder of this year and start of 2023 I have a few races like the Whaka100, National Series and National Champs. However, at the moment I’m just taking it easy, doing other things I enjoy, rewinding and working to fund my next overseas trip, before I start training again for the 2023 season. My plan for next year is to travel to Europe again and also North America to race the World Cup Circuit as a first year U23.
My favorite Pivot is the Mach 4 SL. I love the way it feels when riding it and how much I have improved as a rider since getting one. This bike can do it all! The climbing is a breeze and the downhills are just a whole lot of fun!
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My passion is mountain biking, and although I enjoy all disciplines (XC, Enduro & Downhill) I am now wanting to concentrate on Enduro racing and take it to the next level racing outside of Nelson.
I ride my bike because I enjoy getting out into the hills and riding tracks with my mates. I also like the thrill of going fast, hitting jumps and riding new features.
My favourite trails are Cable Bay Adventure Park, Wairoa Gorge in Nelson and Skyline in Queenstown – I like these because there are so many different features and you can ride all day without doing the same track twice.
I am currently riding a Pivot Firebird after upgrading from a Pivot Mach 6, I find it really suits my riding style – it is fun and playful yet gives me so much confidence when pushing it hard.
Since getting the Firebird my confidence on it has increased and my results have shown this going from top 10 finishes to consistent podiums in both downhill and enduro.
]]>I am a 28-year-old electrician based in Wanaka and I absolutely love being out on my bike.
I never rode much growing up and acquired my first mountain bike in 2017. The 2019/2020 season was my first time racing after I took a liking to downhill while working at Cardrona. At the start of the 2020/2021 season I suffered a serious injury and was unable to ride/race the remainder of the season.
Finally I am back on my bike and feeling better than ever. So here’s to the coming season, gaining more experience and loving life on the bike!
Why I love to ride:
There are a few reasons why I love to get out on my bike. One, is that it is just so much fun!!! Two, when I am on my bike I feel as though I am in my own world. It is a way for me to get away from the 8am – 5pm workday, forget the stress, focus on riding and a chance to be myself.
Lastly, travelling and racing around the country gives me the chance to explore new trails, meet the coolest people, develop my riding skills and grow as a person.
My bike family:
I fell in love with Pivot bikes after trying out a Switchblade at one of their demo days. I felt instantly more confident on not only when it came to heading down trails but also while pedaling up access tracks.
It eats up any trail you put in front of it, whether it is an intermediate flow track or a technical black diamond. The more confident I get on the Switchblade the more it wants to sent it!!!!
Completing my current Pivot family is the Phoenix 29. Sexy, smooth and seriously fast. It’s the complete package. This bike knows what it is doing even if you don’t! Definitely a must for all those downhill fans out there!
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I grew up racing bikes with my brother Charlie, we built tracks and rode our faithful minibikes anywhere they would take us. After becoming more involved in skiing, with most months of the year being winter based, time was a little limited on the peddles. However, as biking was still such a huge passion I still kept riding and began competing in more multisport and adventure racing, such as Godzone. Recently my brother has picked the bike back up full time and now competes on the EWS, which has inspired me to spend more time on two wheels.
In December last year I managed to compete in my first serious bike event, the 3 Peaks Enduro in Dunedin, just before heading overseas to winter.
I was quite bikeless, so I talked to Ed Masters and he let me borrow his swanky mcpimpface Firebird29 for a month, then I took it down to race. Not really knowing what to expect or how to do anything, I surprised myself with 3rd place, sharing the podium with Charlie (1st) and Dunedin based Josh McCombie in 2nd.
It is a familiar feeling for me, flying down hills, however, it's also foreign and strange racing a bike down a timed run, between tape.
Despite being two high intensity sports, the difference of having one opportunity to get down a face at your highest level, in comparison to racing against the clock, with opportunities to regain from crashes and progress during one race calls for a different mindset.
It was a rewarding experience being pushed to a level that challenged my capability of riding, especially never having competed in Enduro before.
After realising how smooth and stable Ed's Firebird raced, I have recently acquired a Switchblade to help keep me on the trails.
Photos: @finwoods
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