New Zealand is mountain biking heaven, with fantastic opportunities on the doorstep of most urban areas, as well as superb wilderness riding to be had in the backcountry. It is no surprise therefore, that mountain biking has become enormously popular in recent decades, and the people who regularly ride in New Zealand number in the hundreds of thousands. Building on the spectacular success of Craig Potton Publishing's previous Bird's Eye Guides on tramping and day walking, this guide to mountain biking in the South Island uses the same concept of bird's eye maps to illustrate the rides, married with an informative text and photographs to bring each ride alive. The 38 rides in this book have been chosen by expert mountain biker, photographer and author Dave Mitchell to reflect the best that the South Island has to offer. These range from reasonably easy and straightforward rides, through to more demanding backcountry rides, right across the South Island. Readers will be able to choose from coastal tracks in the Marlborough Sounds, Kahurangi classics, such as the Heaphy Track, a wide range of rides in the open tussock high country of Canterbury and Central Otago, and many exciting rides on historic mining and cattle trails on the West Coast. This book is a must-have purchase for any mountain biking enthusiast, whether experienced or a beginner - not only it is a fantastic guidebook, but it also makes an extremely appealing momento for anyone who loves the sport.

Author Biography

Dave Mitchell is a leading New Zealand recreational mountain biker, with a vast amount of experience, including an off-road mountain bike traverse of the South Island. He is well known as a writer and photographer on the subject, and for some years has published the New Zealand Mountain Bike Calendar, featuring his photographs. He lives in Christchurch.