Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Is that someone else with a Squatch?

Yep! Rode a lot quicker up and down than me yesterday

Ok, bit of a call for info/knowledge.

My plan is to land in Queenstown on the 13th, fly out again morning of the 21st.

I was going to take the DH bike and ride Skyline.

Recommendations on what to do/ride/where to stay very welcome.

190 pumps per squalid infestation and she's finally sitting right in the 25-30% saggage range.

Now just need to clean it, tape it, get some bags on it, change the saddle and grips perhaps, maybe the bars, probably swap the dropper again because why not, needs less knobby tyres for fastness and they need to be TL'd, needs a pump mount and bottle cage or bladder. Shit, anyone wanna buy a Scott Spark? Setting up MTBs is such a ballache.

get some bags on it

Won't sag change with weight on it?

That sounds like new bike time

Yep

I've only ever ridden skyline, which is fun, but there are loads of other trails around. Im sure a local shop would give you tips on the best gnar DH areas. I always suggest hiring a car, I like apex. A bit cheaper and a few mins walk or 1 min shuttle from terminal.
Fergburger is overrated, no idea where to stay but bring your money gun. It will likely be hot too.

I wondered about hiring a car- you reckon it would mean missing out if I didn’t?

I mean you'd just be a bit more limited, if you had a car you could easily hit the bike parks on coronet and cardrona, drive up the valleys to explore, visit wanaka and lake hawea, etc. NZ as a rule you usually need a car, but there are a few trail networks close to town and there's everything you need there, so you totally don't have to. Haha what a non answer

I'm only bringing the DH bike, which maybe a bit silly as the Enduro bike is obviously a lot more flexible, but I really want to ride the big bike. On the blues, probably!

The trail networks I'm guessing would be miserable on a dual crown bike, but the other bike parks sound interesting.

I'd be surprised if Queenstown didn't have a lot of shuttle stuff available for $$$

Edit: like this? https://www.therideguide.co.nz/biketaxi

That’s very handy- thanks.

I miss NZ, what a place.

14 hours to Queenstown for me, can't say I'm looking forward to the travel but I'm looking forward to the place.

I'd like to get your opinion on Fergburger. People say it's overated now, but it did used to be very good (for NZ at least).

I'd recommend hiring a trail bike for a day or two if you do get a car, the trails in Qtown are just awesome and might as well try stuff like 7 mile.

Enjoy man, the trails are epic for whatever type of riding.

You probably already know this but scrub your tyres and shoes before leaving, you'll almost definitely be asked to show your bike/tyres/shoes at customs (unless your bike actually hasn't been used yet... In which case they'll prob let you off)

Of course. I'm measuring sag with weight on it - me.
But I'm not riding it loaded yet so why would I set the sag based on it being loaded?
I'm trying to get it all nice and rideable before I throw a bunch of bikepacking shit on it.

It is.

Now I want to get my missus a hardtail.

Just saying, once the bags are on you might have to readjust sag, that all ...

Yeah, deffo. I know I'm a noob but I worked that much out with the Stanton. :)
(he writes, as he realises he never actually let any air out after Spirit of Girona)

I still need to buy myself a digital shock pump. The pump I have just jumps too much so I could be 10psi either way when setting this stuff up.

The Scott feels weird when pedaling it on roads in full lockout - like it has this slight pumping up and down feeling that it doesn't have when it's in "Traction" mode.

I'm even more of a n00b

I'm technically not a noob I'm just fucking lazy and should just ride rigid bikes even though I know suspension is good for me, I hate the faff.

Whereas I hardly ride bikes 😭

What I need is someone who loves working on bikes and lives in a shed with a load of tools and spare parts but isn't that keen on riding. Ride home, throw bike at BikeGimp™ and collect it again the next day for another ride. I'm so bored of tracking chain wear and sealant levels and fucking suspension settings.

Do you use ProBikeGarage?