MOUNTAIN BIKING - NORTH - 34 great rides in NZ's North Island

Written by expert mountain biker and photographer Dave Mitchell, these rides from all over the North Island, range from straightforward and easy rides close to our urban areas, through to hard and challenging trips deep into the wilderness. Each ride includes a 3D map of the route combined with a profile of all climbs and descents, which have been graded depending on their difficulty. 

The easiest rides in the book are grade 2, which is defined as “mainly flat with short gradual climbs that require some fitness and skill.” The toughest grade is a 5, for those involving “gnarly and long climbs with challenging descents and technical riding requiring a high level of skill and fitness with some bike carrying required, but these ones can be broken down into smaller sections” advises Dave.

Riders will be able to choose from classic rides such as the Karapoti – north of Wellington, coastal rides in the Wairarapa, the 42nd Traverse in Tongariro Forest and other biking adventures in the Central North Island, through to a range of rides in the Hunua Ranges south of Auckland, as well as many more.

Dave Mitchell’s own (gorgeous) photographs feature prominently throughout and he has personally undertaken all 34 rides. Dave’s interest in mountain biking started in 1985 and has played a significant part in his life ever since. “I think the mountain bike has transformed cycling, they’re the pinnacle of bicycle evolution.” 

Dave continues “I wanted Mountain Biking North to be a must-have guide for any mountain biking enthusiast, the book that I would buy. A book that not only offers advice on where to go, but also provides an insight to the wilderness, scenery and challenges you will enjoy along the way.”

 Photos top to bottom:

Takapari Road - Ruahine Forest Park

Tukino Mountain Road - Tongariro National Park

Headland Track - Taupo

MOUNTAIN BIKING - NORTH - 34 great rides in New Zealand's North Island

Dave Mitchell

Craig Potton Publishing - $44.99

Craig Potton Publishing are New Zealand's largest independent publisher specialising in illustrated New Zealand books and I must say I am truly impressed with their ongoing commitment to books on the outdoors and the quality and production values they bring to them. Hats off to them. Reading this latest one for example makes one want to go straight out and buy a mountain bike and start riding some of these stunning tracks.