All images from the Aorere Enduro last October.
The world’s best racers will take on the steep and gnarly trails of Nelson for the first round of the 2021 Enduro World Series.
Known for its technical riding that feels like a back-country adventure but starts minutes from the town centre, Nelson is a must-ride destination for those in the know.
Expect rocks, roots and steep bits.
The Aorere Enduro is being run by the Nelson Mountain Bike Club, who are looking forward to showcasing the best of the region for first time visitors and returning friends.
The race is named after the te reo Māori word for the area, which means fleeting or flying clouds.
Nelson is lucky to have some serious vertical right on the edge of town.
Nelson Mountain Bike Club event coordinator Belinda Crisp says winning the right to host the event is “the culmination of twenty years of work from the original mountain bikers who started building trials in Nelson, NMTBC’s partners including Nelson City Council, Ngati Koata and Tasman Pine Forests, and all the club volunteers.
“We’re incredibly excited to help make this happen for Nelson. We thank the Enduro World Series for their confidence in our ability to make the event truly unique.”
The beauty of the native bush from above.
Nelson-based photographer Sven Martin has shot the Enduro World Series since it began in 2013. “I’m excited to show our racer friends and the rest of the world just why we chose to move to Nelson almost ten years ago. Nelson has the perfect blend of trails to both challenge and reward visiting racers… plus the combination of mountains, beaches and nearby National Parks just cannot be beaten anywhere.”
Mayor Rachel Reese said it was an “an honour to host the Enduro World Series in Nelson/Whakatū” as it would help establish the town as an international mountain biking destination.
Justin Carter, General Manager of Ngāti Koata, congratulated the Nelson Mountain Bike Club on their successful bid to bring the Enduro World Series to Nelson in 2021.
“As an iwi landowner where many mountain bike trails are situated, we are proud of our relationship with the club, and look forward to the opportunity through this event to continue strengthening our partnership together.
“It is easy for the iwi to support the NMTBC and events like this as we are aligned in our purpose: Tiaki Tangata, Tiaaki Taiao, Tiaki Taonga (caring for our people, environment and treasures). We tautoko (support) the club as it prepares to host competitors from around the globe experience our world-class trails and beautiful natural environment.”
The community really gets behind local races, which draw large and loud crowds.
The inaugural Aorere Enduro ran last October as an EWS Asia Pacific Continental round, drawing about 200 riders who were spoiled with long, gnarly trails and perfect conditions.
The race is entirely run by the club, relying on a huge effort from club members, volunteers and local businesses. It’s one of the few top-tier races that’s not organised by a specialist events company, giving it a unique community feel.
With some of the country’s best breweries nearby, the after-match function is always well catered.
One of NMTBC’s aims is to grow the mountain biking infrastructure in Nelson and a visit from the EWS is crucial to highlight the value of mountain biking to the town.
More info at the Aorere website.
