New Zealand Mountain Biking: The best information for your NZ riding trip can be found right here!
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Jamie seemed to know all the trails like the back of his hand – he was able to give us a run- down of all the upcoming trails, a heads up on all the terrain features, and was able to adapt trails as we went. He also gave us both riding and travel recommendations for the rest of our NZ trip. Sure, you could have had a “similar” experience guiding yourself with Trail Forks, but the comfort of having a very experienced guide in an unfamiliar area allowed us to get a ton of extremely fun riding in without much brain power. Having Jamie as a guide was absolutely invaluable, and I would highly recommend booking with New Zealand Mountain Biking if you want to get the ultimate NZ mountain biking experience.
Why Traveling to Ride Matters
There’s something special about packing up your bike and heading out to ride somewhere new. Whether it’s loading the car for a weekend mission or flying overseas, traveling to ride opens doors to adventure, new terrain, and fresh challenges.
Of course, it can also feel intimidating. Where do you ride? What gear should you bring? How do you get your bike safely from A to B? The truth is, with the right approach, traveling with your bike is less about stress and more about discovery.
Start Local: Every Ride Is a Trip
Most of us already travel every time we ride. Throw the bike on the rack and head to the forest, that counts. You still need to be prepared. But don’t be afraid to go further. An extra hour in the car can take you to trails you’ve never seen, and sometimes those hidden gems are the rides you’ll never forget.
Going Bigger: Flights and Riding Holidays
When flights and overseas trips come into the picture, preparation is everything:
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Bike transport: A quality bike bag or box makes life easier and protects your rig.
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Spares: Always pack essentials—brake pads, derailleur hanger, tubeless plugs. The one part you leave behind is usually the one you’ll need. Researching the place that you are going may show that there are tons of bike shops around so you really can just take the bare minimum.
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Research: Use trail apps, local bike shops, and guide companies to find the best rides without wasting time. If a local guide is available, this can be the best way to see the best riding for you! Get taken to all of the right places and spend less time getting lost and looking at maps!
We’ve been lucky enough to ride trails all around New Zealand and the world—from raw alpine singletrack in Pakistan to classic Rotorua flow. That experience means we understand exactly what riders need to know when planning a trip, because we’ve been there ourselves.
Build Confidence Before You Go
New terrain means new challenges: steep switchbacks, loose rocks, altitude, or just the sheer unknown. The more confident you are on your bike, the more fun you’ll have when traveling.
That’s where coaching comes in. A focused session can:
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Break bad habits and lock in better technique
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Boost your confidence for tricky terrain
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Get you ready to ride new trails with less stress and more flow
We’ve coached riders preparing for everything from a local road trip to multi-week expeditions. Chances are, we’ve already ridden where you’re heading, so our advice goes beyond skills—it’s about preparing for the whole experience.
Our Guided Riding Trips
At NZMTB, we don’t just coach and send you off—we travel, guide, and ride these adventures ourselves. That’s why we built two trips that showcase the very best of New Zealand riding:
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Hero Dirt Rotorua – For the enduro rider who wants to push limits, chase flow, and ride world-class trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest.
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Essential North Island Tour – For the intermediate rider who loves singletrack, scenic landscapes, and exploring beautiful places without the pressure of racing lines.
Both trips are built from our own travel experience, designed to give you the perfect mix of adventure, progression, and unforgettable trails.
Ready to Ride Further?
Traveling to ride is about freedom, adventure, and progression. With the right preparation and the right skills, you’ll unlock more fun and more trails than ever before.
🚵♂️ Take the next step in your riding journey:
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Book a coaching session to boost your skills before your next adventure.
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Explore our Hero Dirt Rotorua tour for enduro riders chasing the best dirt in the world.
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Check out the Essential North Island tour for a scenic singletrack adventure built for intermediate riders.
Your next unforgettable riding trip starts here.
At New Zealand Mountain Biking, we run epic mountain biking tours across the scenic North Island, New Zealand. We also help riders build confidence and skills in our MTB and eMTB private lessons on the legendary Rotorua trails. If you race or you want to get into some racing and you want to improve those skills, get in touch for some lessons!
You can learn more about our trips here to book your ride today!
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Check out our YouTube channel to see us ride as I chase people down all of the trails in Rotorua and NZ!
