We’ve got more stoke than a kid in a candy store for the season ahead – from our epic lineup of events to more late nights than ever before (and plenty of things to get the kiddies involved in), this is definitely gonna be one for the books. Check out some of our favourite events below, and don’t forget to save the dates!
Opening Day Party: September 16, 2023
Break out the party shirts, Opening Day is here and you bet we’ll be celebrating. Provided that Mother Nature plays in our favour, Bike Glendhu Mountain Bike Park in Wanaka be open and cranking from September 15 (this is your invite to skip work on Friday- and come get your first crowd-free laps) and then holding the official Opening Day party on Saturday, September 16 with our DJ, The Juke spinning on the decks. Opening day is subject to weather, so cross those fingers and toes to get this season started!
Word Bike-A-Palooza: December 2, 2023
This is one event specifically for the kids. We’re teaming up with WORD to host this epic kid’s mountain biking race, with five courses to choose from for varying skill levels and ages – competitors can be as young as two years old (gotta start ‘em young). Online and on-the-day registrations will be available.
Pretty Sweet Thursdays: Starts February 15, 2024
We’re starting up Pretty Sweet Thursdays earlier in the season this year, so we can make the most out of the daylight hours! Every Thursday until April 25, we’ll be hosting a soirée of rides, vibes, lucky dip DJs, sporadic spot prizes, and even some cheeky food trucks thanks to our sponsor, Pretty Sweet Lighting & Electrical. We’ll have $10 passes and Velo will be serving up local craft beers for our post-ride punters. You’ll need a head torch and some warmer layers as the evenings begin to cool down for night riding in April. Helmet lights are for sale in our shop on-site, as well as available for rent for $20 (you can call in advance to reserve yours).
Midpoint Jump Jam + Afterparty at Base 334: February 24, 2024
It was such a hit last year, so we thought it would be rude not to do it again. Come give the jump line a nudge at our annual Midpoint Jump Jam– whether it’s your first time or it’s the usual place you’ll be found. After the Jam, join us at Base 334 where our DJ will be spinning tunes and keeping the good times rolling into the evening!
Pro tip: if you get amongst a dig day, you’ll get free access to this one today (or you can register through the website).
POC Glenduro: March 3, 2024
The 4th annual POC Glenduro is back for 2024! This event is a multi-stage enduro race with 4 & 5-stage options, so whether you’re frothing for the hard stuff or keen to have fun and tackle your first enduro, you’ll have a great time on the course (including a bunch of sweet prizes from POC).
The Great Easter Egg Hunt: Starts March 29, 2024
Be rude not to bring back this crowd favourite. Get on the hunt for coloured rocks scattered around the bike park to nab some Easter eggs. If you’re lucky enough, you might even find some golden rocks to get one of our big prizes too… All the rocks will be re-hidden until Easter Monday, so everyone gets an equal shot over the long weekend. No registration needed for The Great Easter Egg Hunt – just rock up (pun intended) and go for a ride!
BGXC: April 21, 2024
For the third year of the BGXC, we’re switching things up and making the race more accessible than ever! This cross-country mountain bike race is one for those who like the grind.
There are a few options so there’s something that’ll suit everyone – including our original five-lap race through some epic terrain. We’ll be doing a three-lap option too, and we’re cooking up a few other ideas, so stay tuned to see details closer to the time!
As always, we’re stoked to bring you the fastest and most fun XC race this side of the Cook Strait (we’re still not biased). Register online from March onwards.
Season Ender Bender: June 1, 2024
The 2023.24 season at BG is coming to close on the weekend of June 3-4, but we’ll go out with a bang! On Saturday, June 1 (back-up weather day Sunday, June 2) come on out to the park for one final hoon with the Season Ender Bender! Dust off the old party shirt, pair it with a baselayer for good measure and get ready for some epic Autumn riding vibes! We’ll have a DJ spinning tunes at Base 334 from 1-5 pm, with Velo Cafe dishing up some delicious chilli con carne and mulled wine in front of the firepits.
Get ready for an epic season ahead – there’s plenty of events on the calendar for this season (including heeeaps more that we haven’t included above in this blog, like Dog Days, Midpoint Seconds and Planting Days). Make sure you keep an eye on our socials and event pages to keep in the know! Last but not least, we haven’t forgotten about one of our faves: Women’s Ride Wednesdays. We’ll be announcing more info about these soon, so stay tuned! In the meantime, get ready for an epic season ahead – there’s plenty of events…
