Nelson will welcome hundreds of the country’s best young mountain bikers later this year when it hosts the national secondary schools mountain bike championships.
The Nelson Mountain Bike Club secured the rights to hold the event from September 27 to October 2. Organizers expect more than 400 student riders from across New Zealand, along with about 100 local competitors from Nelson Tasman.
To prepare for the championships, new downhill and cross-country courses will be built within the city’s mountain bike network. Other trails will also be upgraded to host enduro races.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said winning the hosting rights is a big achievement for the region. He praised Nelson’s world-class mountain biking facilities.
“This event strengthens Nelson’s reputation as a mountain biking mecca,” he said.
Mel Barker, manager of the Nelson Mountain Bike Club, said the new downhill course will bring back one of Nelson’s original trails, the Devil’s Tail, which had been closed due to forestry work.
“Many of the original riders remember it as a thrilling ride,” Barker said.
A new 3.5-kilometer cross-country loop will be built near Groom Creek, close to the Maitai Valley Motor Camp. In the future, the course will connect to the Arboretum area, which is planned to include family-friendly spaces.
“We love our trails and are excited to share them with mountain bikers from all over New Zealand,” Barker added.
She also said winning the event highlights the strong youth mountain biking scene in the region. Nelson College for Girls won the South Island championships in Methven this year. Nelson Tasman schools consistently rank among the top three nationally.
One of the standout riders is 16-year-old Lucy Kemp, part of the winning girls’ team. She also claimed the national under-19 enduro title at Cable Bay in March.
Lucy said local riders are “super excited” to race on their home trails. They are also looking forward to the support of friends and family cheering them on from the sidelines.