Wellington is gearing up for a three-day celebration of mountain biking, launching its inaugural festival this Friday. The event promises a mix of racing, shuttle runs, food, beer, and entertainment across three of the city’s most popular trail spots: Wainuiomata, Matairangi / Mount Victoria, and Mākara Peak. Organizers say the festival is a testament to Wellington’s growing reputation as a world-class mountain biking destination, boasting up to 265 kilometers of trails.
The festival isn’t just about adrenaline and competition; it’s a showcase of the community that has built and sustained Wellington’s thriving mountain biking scene. From seasoned riders to families new to the sport, the event aims to offer something for everyone. The trails themselves are easily accessible, winding through the hills within a short ride of almost any part of the city, making it a uniquely urban mountain biking experience.
Matt Farrar, co-founder of Trails Wellington, the organization behind the festival, explained the careful selection of venues. “We tried to get the right mix for beginner riders through to the more technical riders,” he said. “Wainuiomata was perfect for the technical stuff as well as the family stuff. Matairangi’s so amazing being right in the centre of the city – we had to go with that one – and then Mākara’s our original famous mountain bike park, so they’re the three that gravitated to the top.”
The popularity of mountain biking in Wellington has surged over the past two decades. Mākara Peak mountain bike park, located in the suburb of Karori, now sees approximately 72,000 visitors annually, according to park ranger Mark Kent. “Every second car coming into Karori on a Saturday has a bike on the back,” Kent noted, adding that the sport’s growth has provided a significant boost to local businesses. “The spinoff of that, the economic benefits for the cafe’s and for the bars in the suburb’s been fantastic and that’s similar across the city. Biking is social and so is going for a beer or going for a excellent feed afterwards as well.”
Beyond the riding itself, the festival aims to highlight the broader benefits of trail development. Paul Ward, co-founder of the Capital Kiwi Project, emphasized the connection between trail building and conservation efforts. Volunteers’ work creating these trails has not only opened up access to green spaces but also supports vital planting and pest trapping initiatives. “I grew up in Johnsonville in the nineties and my backyard was blackbirds, sparrows and possums and rabbits at night. Now I can open my door in the morning and hear kaka parrots, tui, kererū, kārearea the falcon and on the edges of Karori and places like Waimapihi you’re probably going to hear kiwi calling at night too,” Ward said, illustrating the positive impact on native wildlife.
Supporting the Next Generation of Riders
The Wellington Off Road Riding Department (WORD) is playing a key role in nurturing the next generation of mountain bikers. The charity provides skills courses for children aged seven to 17 and even fields its own race team, Fast ForWORD. WORD will host a youth ride at Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park on Friday, kicking off the festival with music, food, and free shuttle trips.
Nicola Johnson, WORD’s chief executive, believes the festival is a crucial opportunity to showcase the diversity of riding experiences available in Wellington. “Rotorua is very much one place, one network and same with Queenstown, you’re on the hill up at Skyline,” she explained. “Whereas we’ve got separate trail areas and it’s all a bit of insider knowledge about where the best trails are. We just need to connect them in a way and I think this mountain bike festival will do that. We’ve got three different venues over three days and people will get to taste a bit of each of them.”
Sixteen-year-vintage Ruben Armstrong embodies the spirit of Wellington’s mountain biking community. He plans to seize advantage of the shuttles at Mākara on Friday and compete in the Mt Victoria In’Duro Race on Saturday. “It’s awesome, it’s so buzzy,” Armstrong said. “There’s always a good crew of people out. The trails are awesome, the location is awesome. It’s not a big drive out from the city. It’s always fun riding with people, everyone’s so friendly.”
The Wellington Mountain Bike festival begins this Friday, offering a unique blend of competition, community, and connection to the natural environment. The event is expected to draw riders and spectators from across the region and beyond, further solidifying Wellington’s position as a premier mountain biking destination. The festival continues through the weekend with events at Matairangi and Mākara Peak.
Organizers have not yet announced details for future festivals, but are encouraging attendees to share their experiences and feedback to help shape the event in years to arrive.
What are your thoughts on the Wellington Mountain Bike festival? Share your comments below and let us know if you plan to attend!
