When the biggest mountain bike festival in the world decides to push its roots into Rotorua's volcanic soils you know you have to be there. Crankworx blends the highest level of freeriding with music and a celebration of bike culture that has no equal. It's the Olympics of mountain biking with the best riders in the world bringing their best game to the table.
At the beating heart of this dirty chaos is Squamish, British Columbia, native Darren Kinnaird.
“I love this. There is a big crowd out there and they are really enthusiastic,” the 38-year-old offers with a big grin as he surveys the panorama of activity on the lower slopes of Mt Ngongotaha beneath the Skyline Rotorua gondola.
“People are so into it here – the passion for mountain biking in this community is second to none,” he offers.
And true to the essence of the event he has already explored the trails of Whakarewarewa Forest.
“I had the chance to ride what may be my favourite trail in the whole world: Corners. That trail is insane – I love it,” he beams like a kid who has discovered a new toy.
Above us the gondola rattles across the jockey wheels and riders finish practice runs across an over-sized tabletop. Music fills the air and everywhere small children, teenagers, couples, riders and families are beaming with excitement. Darren takes it all in and smiles.
The week rolls out an intense, high-level overload of whips, downhill, pump track, enduro, dual speed and style and the ultimate: slopestyle – a gigantic course built by Kiwis Kelly McGarry and Tom Hey, that had the world's best calling it one of the best. Sure, the Black Caps made some history this week, but Crankworx put a stake in the ground and wrote some history of its own.
It just so happened that we turned up post Pam with a day up our sleeves for a rising south swell at Raglan. Flat at 6am, 2-3 foot by 7am and 4 foot by 10am. Yep, it's been one of those weeks.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS More swell coming ... this is why you should take Wednesday off.
Proudly supported by:
