Graeme Simpson: Crankworx action returns

Crankworx is coming back and dates are confirmed.

Always great to reflection that and the return of the energy, drama, breathtaking and jaw dropping action from March 2-8, 2020. It's like a very large mega phone to shout about Rotorua mountain biking to the world: www.crankworx.com/festival/ rotorua.

Thirteen years ago, last week, our community hosted the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials Championships announcing our city as a premier destination for the sport on the international stage . . . and nothing was the same, ever again.

Getting hosting rights was third time lucky.

Alot of people were involved. Aspecial shout-out to Dave and Shreeve Donaldson who made the three trips to Europe to pitch to the UCI on behalf of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club and the city.

There is nowhere else in the world that has hosted this event, Singlespeed World Championships, a 24 hour solo world champs, a UCI Trials World Cup round, Crankworx, rounds of the Enduro World Series and has International Mountain Bicycling Association gold status.

A bit of history: a small team put together the original proposal to IMBA for this back in 2015.

It was a privilege to join Rotorua's deputy mayor Dave Donaldson, Oscar Nathan and Gregg Brown to sort the overall tourism and infrastructure aspects with Jeff Carter from Southstar Shuttles and Trails applying his engineer's mind to the technical trails section.

We lost a handful of points out of 100, including one for not having a regular trail patrol team. Problem solved with the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club's Emergency First Response Unit keeping everyone safer.

Join the club and help with the mahi: www.mtbclub.org.nz.

This first week of spring means days lengthening out and daylight saving fast approaching. And a rich line-up of events that cater for a wide range of riders and skill levels.

Round one of the 2019 New Zealand Downhill Series presented by Trail Pro Trail Construction is in the Whakarewarewa Forest on Saturday, September 28, hosted with Descend Rotorua.

Following rounds are in Napier on November 9, Four Forty MTB Park on November 16, Wellington on November 30 and Dome Valley in Auckland on December 14.

Entry is open at www.nzdownhill.co.nz.

The Emerson's Whaka100 with Camelbak is on October 26-27.One of the toughest mountain bike marathons in the southern hemisphere, this features challenging climbs and technical single track.

Race directed by Nduro Events, there are also 50, 25 or 10km course options. Day one features the Isuzu RotoruaTop10 shoot out with seedings at stake for race day.

More information and online entry: whaka100.co.nz.

A week later, round one of the 2019/2020 Giant2WGravity Enduro series is on Saturday, November 2.

This is a combination of sharp-end competition on red-hot trails, banter between mates for bragging rights and beers at the finish line. The2W is presented by the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club and benefits the 1st Emergency Response Unit among other work the club is doing.

Race 2 is on Saturday, December 2 with the third and final round on December 22 and, completing the circle, just a week before Crankworx rolls into town.

For the full story see: www.enduronz.com.