New Zealand Mountain Bike Festival

The festival opens with the New Zealand Mountain Bike Championships and closes with the 25th Merida Karapoti Classic.

Between these events, the entire Wellington region will stage mountain bike events for riders of all ages and abilities.

Check out www.mountainbikefestival.co.nz for more information on venues for each event.

• Friday 26 February
- Single Speeders Unite (Wellington) - an early morning social ride and nosh up for one-gear wonders.
• Saturday 27 February
- New Zealand Cross Country Championships (Wellington) - there are national titles up for grabs for elite and age groupers on the challenging Mt Victoria course.
• Sunday 28 February
- Bike the Trail Fun Ride (Lower Hutt) - take part in a recreational ride down the Hutt River Trail. Bring the whole family.
- New Zealand Down Hill Championships (Wellington) - New Zealand's best who happen to be some of the world's best, vie for national honours on the big-thrills drop down Long Gully.
- New Zealand Short Course Cross Country (Wellington) - New Zealand short course titles are up for grabs around a punchy criterion-like circuit on Mt Victoria.
- Official Festival Opening Function(Wellington) - leave your bike at home and grab your gladrags for the official opening of the New Zealand Mountain Bike festival. This will also mark the opening of the New Zealand Mountain Bike History Exhibition. The exhibition will be open for a week.
• Monday 1 March
Beginner Evening (Lower Hutt) - this is something for off-road rookies; a social ride from Petone, followed by nibbles and guest speaker.
- Trail Building Bee (Wellington) - here's a chance to give something back. Help create the trails you ride.
- New Zealand Hill Climb Championships (Wellington) - New Zealand's best go head to head in time-trial format on Mt Victoria to find the country's best uphill rider.
• Tuesday 2 March
- Evening Recreational Ride (Wellington Skyline) - this is a low-key group ride for all abilities along the spectacular Wellington Skyline route.
- Mountain Bike Film Festival (Wellington) - Kick back and enjoy some spectacular mountain movies, including some historical Kiwi footage.
- Beginners' Evening (Upper Hutt) - off road rookies can enjoy a social ride from Bike Hut, followed by nibbles and guest speaker,
• Wednesday 3 March
- Skyline Screamer Downhill (Lower Hutt) - New Zealand's best downhill exponents take on an old-school scream straight down Te Whiti Firebreak. Full downhill kit required. If you can't ride it, then watch it.
- Evening Recreational Ride (Lower Hutt) - a social ride for all abilities through some of Lower Hutt's hidden gems.
• Thursday 4 March
- Mountain Bike Skills Course (Wellington) - test yourself in this mountain bike skills course on Mt Victoria for beginner to intermediate level riders.
- Park tools New Zealand's Best Bike Mechanic (Wellington) - watch New Zealand's best bike mechanics go head to head for bragging rights in the bike world.
- Midnight Madness (Wellington) - if we told you where, we'd have to kill you. Register online to find out more.
• Friday 5 March
- Ladies' Mountain Bike Breakfast (Wellington) - an early morning social ride for women, followed by breakfast, is an energising start to the day.
- New Zealand Mountain Bike Trials Challenge (Wellington) - watch New Zealand's most skilled mountain bikers ride over almost anything. It's rumoured to end in wharf jumping and other irresponsible stuff.
- Trail Building Bee (Upper Hutt) - this is your chance to give back. Help create the trails you ride.
• Saturday 6 March
- Merida Karapoti Classic (Upper Hutt) - it's the 25th anniversary of the southern hemisphere's longest-running mountain bike event. Options include 50km, 20km, and children's 5km. Enter early, it's limited to 1000 riders and always sells out.
- New Zealand Mountain Bike Marathon Championships (Karapoti) - New Zealand's best vie for the marathon title at Karapoti.
- New Zealand Mountain Bike Trials Challenge (Karapoti)

Check website for up to date information.

Event listed by SummerCity

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