Womens Mountain Bike Skills Camp

Trip Code: SOG6741

Trip highlights

We want to introduce you to the great guides and instructors, trails and atmosphere that contribute to Craigieburns awesome mountain biking
Throughout each day we will be running Bike Skills workshops and trail rides putting your new skills into practice while getting a lift up the hill with our shuttle yeeow.
Enjoy Forest Lodge over two evenings, with its doorstep trails, and special wilderness setting
Enjoy the atmosphere of Canterbury's best mountain biking back-yard secret

Want to build your skills and progress to the next level of riding? Join us for a 3-day women’s mountain bike skills camp based in one of Canterbury's best mountain valleys, the Craigieburns. You'll get to experience beech and tussock single-track and ride back-country trails while hanging out with a great bunch of riders in this beautiful alpine valley.

Learn some new bike skills with two great coaches, enjoy some quality food and soak up the awesome mountain atmosphere.

We can accommodate a wide range of rider abilities from confident beginners to intermediate + riders. We have the ability to split into groups based on rider ability and are able to focus on the needs of each rider.

Skill sessions will include bike setup, cornering, suspension, trail-side maintenance, riding natural trails, roots, body position, braking, pumping, steep trails, rollovers, small drops and jumps.

Itinerary

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Day 1
Christchurch to Craigieburn Forest Lodge

Your mountain biking adventure begins with a meet up in Christchurch Friday morning 10am for the drive up to the Craigieburns. Alternatively you can make your own way and join the team lunchtime at Forest Lodge. We'll welcome the team, ensure your bike set up and fit is spot on, and enjoy the Lodges local trails. Damian and Morgs will introduce you to the rest of the trails you'll sample over the weekend, and talk you through how we'll tune up your skills to give you the solid foundation for the epic riding to come. Our adventure continues with a shared dinner, and watching the sun go down over the valley. We stay the night at the Forest Lodge where we will wake up to ride the park out the door. Note: If you are bringing your own bike, please make sure you have it assembled and ready when we pick you up. If you are hiring a mountain bike, there will be a chance to test and fit your hire bike. Riding grades: 3

Meals: D

Day 2
Craigieburn Forest Trails

Today’s adventure starts right outside our doorstep. After a hearty breakfast we ride the Craigieburn trails through the awesome beech forest. You’ll get fantastic riding on trails carefully chosen to help extend your MTB skill-set, and get maximum fun times. This will include sessioning some sections, and rolling through some trails. In the afternoon we'll keep the flow going as we jump on the shuttle and explore a new set of trails to dial in those skills We finish our last down and it's back to the Lodge for showers and a well-deserved drink on the deck before we enjoy our evening meal. Rest up as tomorrow we are on again. It will be huge! Biking grades: 3-4 Up to 25km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Craigieburn Trails to Christchurch

We’ve got a big day ahead finding our mojo on the trails but it’s going to be epic. Craigieburn is home to nearly 30km of mountain bike trails that run through a sub alpine and beech forest environment. The grades run from grade two right up to five and there is plenty more epic riding in order for us today. Today we'll spend the morning building our skills on the wide range of trails available outside our door before jumping on the shuttle in the afternoon - to maximise our Craigieburn adventure. Make sure you check your brakes before leaving the lodge as our trail descends from high on the ski road back down to the valley floor. We'll continue to build our skills through the day to make the most of the forest trails, rocks, roots and natural features on offer. Soak it up - over these three days you've just enjoyed some of Canterburys finest! At the lodge we meet up with our chilly-bin and welcome thirst quenchers before we load up the bikes and our weary legs and take the short drive back to Christchurch. We can expect to be in Christchurch around 4pm

Meals: B,L

Inclusions

What's included

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
2 nights in backcountry lodge with shared facilities
Experienced qualified mountain bike guides
Private vehicle transport and shuttles
Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)

What's not included

Mountain bike hire (including helmet) - Quality full suspension bikes can be hired from NZ$500
International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own standard bike drink bottle or hydration system)
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance

About Your Leader

Damian Stones

Mountain bike skills instructor and adventurer. Qual: NZOIA MTB 1 and PMBIA Damian has been involved in mountain biking for 20 years and is a brand ambassador for a number of different companies including Santa Cruz Bicycles, Shimano, Ground Effect clothing and CLIF Bar. Notable mission: the Waiau Toa Odyssey - best NZ made film at the NZ Mountain Film Fest 2017.

Morgan Calas

Morgs is a top shelf Christchurch Adventure Park skills clinic coach, with loads of experiences to back up his NZOIA level 1 and PMBIA 1 MTB Coaching qualifications. He is also an all-round super keen MTB rider.

For Adventure South our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in First Aid and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, plenty of fun, and lots of great memories to take home with you.

Accommodation

Lodge

Experience the real New Zealand and spend the night in a mountain lodge. Lodges are fitted with bunk beds, single sex bathroom facilities, shared kitchen and communal areas.

Bike information

Mountain Bike

Most riders choose to bring their own bikes on this trip. We recommend a full suspension bike with 140-150+mm of travel, knee pads, trail helmet, robust all-condition tyres and a seat dropper. If you have any questions on bike set-up don't hesitate to contact us. Bikes need to be in good shape and have been recently serviced.

Talk to us about arranging a good quality mountain bike for hire.

Grading

challenging
5

The Craigieburn Mountain Bike skills camp is graded moderate to challenging. You will need a good level of fitness and technical mountain bike skills to Grade 3. Although the tour is fully supported you must be comfortable riding in different weather conditions. We are not looking for skills in jumping gaps, drops or features but you do need to be keen and ready to ride single track which will have technical sections of roots, rocks or clay.

Departure dates

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$NZD

Options & Supplements*

*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Womens Mountain Bike Skills Camp - Craigieburn trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.