OUR GUIDES

On this epic point-to-point road trip of the South Island you’ll be hosted by one or two of our senior guides (depending on the group size) for the duration of the journey who’ll uncover the golden nuggets. Does it get any better?

WHY BIG MOUNTAIN?

Professional Leaders. Mountain bike trips to far-away places requires local knowledge. We work with the best guides in all destinations, many since 2001.

Your Safety. Our guides have first-aid certification, our trips have safety manage-ment plans and our riders’ wellbeing is the number one priority on all of our trips.

Groups that Work. All riders complete a detailed Rider Questionnaire to ensure that they are well matched for the trip physically and technically and with the rest of the group. We almost always have optional rides just in case.

Preparation is Key. We offer excellent pre-trip support and all departures in-clude a detailed Preparation Guide specific to the destination. Of course we’ve been on every trip that we offer.

Expert Trip Design. We know how to create exceptional mountain bike trips. And, we’re constantly reviewing and improving itineraries if we feel that it’s needed.

Peace of Mind. Travel & Medical Insurance is mandatory on our trips and Big Mountain Bike Adventures Ltd. has commercial general liability insurance.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:-PLEASE USE LOGOS AS SHOWN-COLOR CHANGES TO MATCH ARTWORK ARE ACCEPTABLE **DO NOT ADD FILL COLORS OR USE MULTIPLE COLORS TO LOGOS.-DO NOT USE NEGATIVE VERSION OF LOGO WITHOUT CONSENT-DO NOT ADD OUTLINES, SHADOWS, LIGHTING, SPECIAL EFFECTS WITHOUT CONSENT -SCALING IS ACCEPTABLE BUT DO NOT ‘TILT’, SHEAR, OR STRETCH LOGOS-DO NOT ARRANGE LOGOS TO OVERLAP EACH OTHER-DO NOT CHANGE SIZE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEAR AND TEXT LOGOS

FOR FURTHER INFO, GUIDELINES AND APPROVAL PLEASE CONTACT US AT INFO@CHROMAGBIKES.COM

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There’s a reason we dream of heading to NZ to ride mountain bikes. This exclusive South Island

adventure boasts unparalelled natural diversity, postcard views and some of the best all-moun-

tain trails and regions, including Christchurch, the spectacular West Coast, towering Mount Cook,

remote Craigieburn, central Otago’s worldclass wines and adrenaline fueled Queenstown.

MIDDLE EARTH: NEW ZEALAND

Arrive Christchurch. Ride the Port Hills.Welcome to a slice of paradise. Our ride today will take us up into the hills above Christchurch, offering some awesome rocky and flowy singletrack with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean and the Lyttleton Harbour. We’ll end our ride at a beach-side pub and embrace the first day of this awesome riding experience together. Tonight, we’ll rest up in the picturesque seaside town of Sumner Beach. Overnight: www.sumnermotel.co.nzRiding: 12 km 300m 300m

Ride The Wharfedale Track. Transfer To Hamner Springs.Today we’re leaving the signs of city civilization as we drive into the foothills of The Southern Alps. Along the way we’ll ride a trail called the Wharfedale Track, offering a good slice of technical riding with short climbs and flowy descents. This track weaves through classic native forests opening up to picturesque views across the Canterbury plains. After the ride and a cold beverage, we’ll take a short drive to our accommodation for the night set in a small town with natural hot springs. Overnight: www.scarboroughlodge.co.nzRiding: 20 km 500m 500m

Reefton Riding & Heli Bike West Coast Paparoa Wilderness.Today we’re up early as we set off to the wild West Coast of New Zealand via one of the South Island most picturesque roads through the Lewis Pass, with wild rivers flowing alongside beau-tiful peaks of Southern Alps. This afternoon we’ll get a pre-ride in on some old gold mining trails around a small town called Reefton. The trails around here are often gnarly, with steep punchy climbs and lots of tree roots. We’re then off to the helicopeter to load up the bikes to fly into The Paparoa Range. We’ll get dropped off to a picturesque backcountry hut perched on a stunning ridge that we’ll call home for the night. This backcountry hut offers incredible view for miles over the Tasman Sea and tropical ridgelines. Overnight: backcountry hut.Riding: 15 km 900m 950m

Ride the West Coast backcountry. Transfer to Craigieburn. This morning we’ll start the day with a classic Kiwi ride offering amazing singletrack through thick fern forests and moss cov-ered trees, the jungle of the West Coast’s native bush including a fun 1500m decent, with technical rooty sections and hike a bike. Next stop is the coastal cool-artsy town of Greymouth for lunch and a beer at a local West Coast brewery. Then we load up and hit the road over the Southern Alps through the picturesque Ar-thurs Pass. Our destination is the remote and natural Craigieburn Mountains, home to some of NZ’s sweetest singletrack. Overnight: www.flockhill.co.nz Riding: 13 km 400m 1500m

ITINERARYThe following is a general outline for Middle Earth trip. Big Moun-tain reserves the right to make alterations and substitutions to the itinerary as weather or terrain conditions dictate or as necessary to improve the trip quality or to accommodate the comfort, conve-nience, and well-being of our guests.

DAY

1 Ride amazing Craigieburn. Transfer to Mackenzie Country.Rising early, we have some super riding through the stunning old-growth forest of this untouched wilderness. We’ll ride some classic trails like Dracophyllum & Hogsback that wind through big open mountainous landscapes and beautiful beach forests. A quick shower and pack the van for a transfer through backcountry roads through the picturesque landscapes of the Mackenzie Country. Overnight: www.musterers.co.nz Riding: 13 km 400m 1500m

Ride Lake Pukaiki & Alexandra. Wine tasting in Central Otago. Today we’ll enjoy a legendary Kiwi ride on a working sheep station overlooking the mighty Mount Cook, the country’s most impressive peak at 3724 meters. Giant glaciers, soaring peaks and the deep blue memorizing turquoise waters of Lake Pukaiki will only enhance this stunning ride. This afternoon we continue south into the Central Otago Region, home to awesome pinot noirs and superb riding. Arriving in late afternoon, we’ll hit the desert landscapes for a ride into the sun-set. After riding we will sample some delicious Pinot Noirs together. Overnight: www.antiquelodgemotel.co.nz Riding: 30 km 500m 750m

Ride Alexandra. Transfer to Queenstown. Alexandra is a little town becoming famous for its great singletrack. We’ll ride the morning away and get lost in the arid rocky landscapes that prevail here. This afternoon we’ll hit the road for a short drive through the impressive Kawarau River Gorge. This afternoon we will get a just a taste of the local trails before letting you explore spectac-ular Queenstown, the crown-jewel of all things adrenaline-fueled in New Zealand. Overnight: millenniumhotels.com Riding: 30 km 400m 500m

Ride Queenstown. Rude Rock & Skippers Cayon. Afternoon to explore.Today we’re off to experience Queenstown’s most epic rides starting with a shuttle to the top of Coronet Peak offering wicked views of the Wakatipu Basin. We’ll rip the famous Rude Rock Track before descending into the wicked Skipper’s Canyon and ending with a tough climb and big smile. We’ll wrap-up riding in the early afternoon, pack our bikes. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this beautiful lakeside town before our grand finale dinner together.Riding: 28 km 600m 1200m

Transfer to Queenstown Airport for flights home. Good-bye! Farewell, as we say goodbye and transfer you to the airport or your hotel in Queenstown. All drop offs end by 10:00 AM this morning.

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ACTIVITY LEVEL

The minimum technical ability required for New Zealand is Intermediate+. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for three to four years and are confident on most types of singletrack and conditions. Ex-pect some flowy purpose-built trails and some naturally technical hiking trails on this trip. This trip is a Level 3/6 for fitness. The accumulation of multiple long days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.

THE RIDING

A mix of shuttle-assisted riding and climbing on purpose-built and natural singletrack. Expect a variety of trails types from dry and loose with loose rock and rock gardens to rooty sections and some steeps on sometimes muddy compact dirt. This trip takes place in often wide-open in tree-less landscapes and sometimes in forests on mostly singletrack and some doubletrack.

LODGING AND FOOD

We’ve designed this trip to showcase accommodation that captures the true experience of New Zealand. Expect unique properties on the Mid-dle Earth – from private lodges in spectacular settings, to hotels and a mountain hut. We’ll eat very well in New Zealand. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs!

DETAILS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive Travel & Medical Insurance is mandatory on all Big Mountain Bike Ad-ventures’ trips. Please visit our recommended

insurance provider World Nomads to learn more.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Expert local Leadership (one or two guides per group

depending on size).

• Seven nights hotels, lodges, private houses, one night

• backcountry hut

• Seven breakfasts, seven lunches & two dinners.

• Daily snacks.

• Airport pick-up Christchurch and drop-off Queenstown on

scheduled days only.

• Bike box shipping (& storage) from Christchurch

to Queenstown.

• All transportation during the trip in a comfortable

modern vehicle.

• One helicopter drop.

• One wine tasting.

• Detailed pre-departure information & trip extension

assistance.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

• Four breakfasts, one lunch & seven dinners.

• Airfare to Christchurch and from Queenstown

• Personal travel and medical insurance.

• Optional tipping to guides.

• Extra activities (bungee jumping, etc).

• Airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any).

• Your bike and related equipment needed to ride.

• Personal items like drinks and snacks.

• We recommend approximately $30.00 USD per day for extras.

BIKE AND EQUIPMENT

A full-suspension enduro bike with 150-160mm travel that’s capable up & down is suggested on this trip. A smaller 130-140mm travel bike would also work. High-performance bike rentals and eMTB’s are available. As it is on all of our trips it is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread design for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. A smaller 16L backpack will suffice.

SUGGESTED BIKE FOR THIS TRIP:

TREK REMEDY

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*Note: all riders will receive a very detailed prep guide before departure.

PAYMENT

Once you’ve completed our online registration form and we’ve con-firmed that we have the needed number of riders to proceed, we’ll col-lect a deposit of 25% of your trip cost that is refundable up to 14 days after registering (outside of 60 days before the trip departure). After 14 days your deposit is non-refundable. At 60 days prior to departure, the full trip balance will be collected. Please review our Terms & Condi-tions for full details on payment, cancelation and refund policies. Please note that while our land costs are quoted in the destination country’s preferred currency, the balance and deposit are processed in Canadian dollars. The exchange rate is based on the daily rate quoted using the Bank of Canada. If you are paying with credit card and reside outside of Canada, you may incur a foreign transaction fee. If you wish, there’s the option of paying with a wire transfer or you can also send us a cheque. Please contact us anytime to discuss your options.

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

The single room supplement is an additional fee for solo travellers who wish to have their own room during the trip. If a solo rider agrees to share a room with someone of the same gender we will pair you up. If there isn’t another single participant of the same gender available, you will automatically have your own room and incure the additional single supplement fee. Note that single rooms are not available for all nights on certain trips and that the single room supplement is different for each trip, please contact us to confirm.

DETAILS cont.

CLIMATE

In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically - it could be 30 degrees Celsius one day and then freezing on a mountaintop the next day. We need to be prepared for a wide range of weather. The average high temperature in Queenstown in February is 22 Celsius (73 f), aver-age low is 10 Celsius (51 f).

YOUR SAFETY

Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training and if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are al-ways risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. You must inspect your bikes (or rental bike) daily and keep it in excellent condition. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding on our trips.

THE NEXT STEPS

Email us to make sure that the trip is confirmed and there’s space on your desired departure. You can also call us toll free USA/CAN 1-866-894-0220 or international +1-604-902-1807. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience and ensure that you are suitable for the trip. Next step is to read and understand our Terms and Conditions and our Waiver. The last step is to complete our secure online Registration Form, link found on the trip page that you’re registering for. Once your Registration Form has been received, we’ll send you detailed pre-departure information and further steps on preparing for your departure.

REFERENCES

We’ll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travellers.

CONTACT US

If you have questions or require additional information please email us at info@ridebig.com or call us toll free USA/CAN 1-866-894-0220 or interna-tional +1-604-902-1807.

WHY BIG MOUNTAIN IS YOUR CHOICEBig Mountain Bike Adventures is the pioneer for performance XC, all-mountain and downhill mountain biking adventures. We know that to find the very best trails, you have to ride with locals. All of our trips are designed in part by local riders and often guided with local riders and professional Big Mountain guides. We aim to provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our participants.

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