Get to da CHOPPER!

OUR MAN ROB TICKS ANOTHER ONE OFF THE BIKING BUCKET LIST – AND THIS ONE MIGHT BE THE BEST YET…

Words Robin Weaver Pics Sven Martin, Callum Wood

G et out and get clear. Whatever you do, don’t turn left.” These are the instructions that are bellowed at me as I step into the helicopter. I’m doing my level best to remember them. But it’s hard. The sound from the rotor is deafening so I’m really hoping what I heard was correct. I’m also overwhelmed by excitement. I’m about to enter said chopper, along with my bike, and fly over the mountains that surround Queenstown, New Zealand, before riding what I can only imagine will be an incredible trail. It’s like nestling in a dream. I can’t quite believe this is happening. As I buckle myself in, I repeat: “Don’t turn left, don’t turn left…” I want to ride the trail. Turn left and I’ll be sliced into a thousand pieces by the blades.

Ticking the bucket

I’d never been to New Zealand. It’s a country I’d always wanted to visit because it looks like mountain-bike paradise. Despite living in Australia for a short stint, I never managed it. That was all about to change thanks to a call from SRAM. Their plan was to launch a load of new products during the depths of the northern hemisphere’s winter, so what better place to head than the other side of the planet in search of banging weather and belting trails. Being the team player that I am, I put my hand up and volunteered to take the hit. I’m blessed to travel regularly for work, and often visit new and wonderful places, but I haven’t been this excited about a trip for years. It was set to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Once I’d checked my bike and bag in at the airport, things started to feel a little more real as I made myself comfortable for the first of three flights. In 26 hours’ time, I’d be in New Zealand, and I couldn’t wait.