Gorge Road Archives

An Evening At Gorge Road

The Gorge Road Trails are on a yearly lease until they can find a new location, but that means that the trails are still up and running until that happens. A few guys from the U.K recently took a trip on down to Queenstown to spend some time getting in some laps! Check out what Tom Isted and crew threw down during an evening of BMX and MTB!

“An evening BMX and MTB session at the iconic Gorge Road trails in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Featuring the locals and guests, including Ryan Howard and Tom Isted, who dropped by before heading north for Crankworx.

Music: Nevertheless by Brian Jonestown” – Gorge Road

Save The Gorge Road Trails – Sign The Petition!

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The other day we caught wind that the legendary Gorge Road trails in Queenstown, New Zealand was set to close and being forced to move to a new location as the city needs to land for new infrastructure. In the news story that was shared it sounded like the city council had already made its decision and was helping the locals to find a new location. I guess that isn’t completely set in stone, since the locals are trying to get 100,000 signatures for a PETITION to help save the trails! If you have ever been to the trails, seen a photo, watched a video or had a dream of some day going on a trip to this place to finally experience it for yourself, you need to sign this! Maybe it will save the trails if they hit this 100,000 mark! So go Sign The Petition Here!

“The Gorge Road dirt jumps are a world‐class facility for BMX and Mountain Bikes, created and maintained by more than a decade of passion and dedication from Queenstown locals. Despite their immense value to the world of riding and the Queenstown community, the jumps’ existence is now in jeopardy. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has announced that it will destroy Gorge in January of 2019, citing ‘Infrastructure’ as its reason. However, if enough public protest is raised, the Council may reconsider.
Gorge is more than a set of jumps. It is a work of art, a labor of love, a training ground for some of the world’s best athletes, and a place for young and beginning riders to discover and progress in a new sport. More than anything, it is a home that brings together people from all over the world. Its value to the bike community, and to the character of Queenstown, cannot be overstated. Help us save the best jumps in the world!”

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Here’s a video reminding you of how amazing this place is!

Gorge Road Trails Closing Down and Moving

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The legendary Gorge Road Trails will be closing down and finding a new home…

I woke up this morning to a message from my brother @lowellsmyth who lives in Queenstown and works at the Gorge Rd trails. Looks like the city council is moving the jumps to a new location. Really sad because they will never be the same. By the sound of the article it seems like they are on top of finding a new location. If you’ve been to Gorge you know how amazing these jumps are and you’ve seen them transform into what they are now. Let us all know when the last session is so we can try our best to make it there. You boys are all legends! Thank you for letting us be a part of one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to on a BMX.
A post shared by Anthony Napolitan (@anthonynapo) on Apr 5, 2018 at 9:42am PDT

Above is a news article that Anthony Napolitan shared about the legendary Gorge Road Trails closing down and having to move to a new location due to the city of Queenstown needing the space for infrastructure. It wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly and the city and everyone involved with the trails are actively working on a solution in the form of a new spot that they can re-build / build a new spot that is equally as incredible. We’ve seen hundreds of videos from the place and countless riders have hopped a plane to New Zealand specifically to ride this place, so the city understands just how much of an asset this place is for the community. We had heard some rumors about a year or two ago that eventually the trails would need to close down, but figured it was just a rumor or it wasn’t anything coming up soon. The time has come and they’ll have to relocate. We have a feeling Gorge Road 2.0 will be even more incredible.

Gorge Road, Queenstown – Autumn Ride

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Here’s a rad one we spotted over on Can You Dig It that we’re sure will get all of you trails riders pumped. With temperatures starting to drop down in Queenstown, New Zealand, Martin Sedlak decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and strapped the GoPro onto his chest for a few trains through the legendary Gorge Road trails. This footage gets a little rough at times, but overall it’s a fun ride since that place is nothing short of incredible!

Toby Parker New Zealand 2017 Trip

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Here’s a little something we spotted over on Can You Dig It from Toby Parker‘s trip on down to New Zealand. This video gives us a look at what he got into on and off his bike, from sessions at Gorge Road trails to skatepark sessions and some rope swing time. This looks like it was a super good time, and you would be crazy not to want to hop a flight down there!

South Island, New Zeland 2017 Road Trip

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Any time you see New Zealand and trails, you should instantly know that you’re in for something rad. We just spotted The Trails Collective‘s latest video over on Can You Dig It and couldn’t pass up sharing some quality footage from Gorge Road and Lizzy Woods. Amazing spots, great riding and a great vibe. Looks like it was an awesome trip.

“Recently some of the The Collective took a trip over to NZ and visited
some of the world’s most renowned trails and spaces built for BMX.
We made contact with the dedicated individuals / volunteers that
run each trail and space. Thank you to those that welcomed us
with familiar faces and those new faces too – Nath G and all the
locals at Gorge Rd Trails. Quinn, Gina, Cole and Brad from Lizzy
Woods Trails. Special thanks to Quinn, Gina and Brad for contributing
to our photos and footage and providing some accommodation for us.
You guys are rad.
For those of you that don’t now, trails are a sacred place based
on cultural values, discipline, respect and community. Always show
respect to the people putting in the work and undertake a few things
before and during your visit. A couple of things that may help you if
you arrive at a public or private trail space or facility.
1. Get in touch directly before you arrive and introduce yourself to the locals
2. Do not ride straight away, especially if the trails are dry
3. Assist in watering, maintenance and any other duties before riding.
4. Don’t climb the jumps or other elements of the trail
5. Be aware of the people around you and the lines they take
6. Repair anything you may damage
7. Be positive
8. Respect receives respect
9. Leave the trails as you found them
10. Take your rubbish with you or dispose of in waste disposal
Most of all enjoy yourself and the company that surrounds you.
Until next time, enjoy the show.
Cheers – TTC”

Hucker & Anthony Napolitan at Gorge Road

Here’s some more footage from the trip to New Zealand Mike “Hucker” Clark and Anthony Napolitan took that we spotted over on Can You Dig It! This time around they hit up Gorge Road trails and you better believe things got wild!

“Mike Clark and Anthony Napolitan take a break from the concrete to go tear up the Gorge Road jump park in New Zealand. Mike “Hucker” Clark throws down an insane run of only 360s, earning his nickname in full. Check out their day at this epic BMX park!” – Red Bull

Photogallery: Queenstown, New Zealand

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Words and Photos by Ted Van Orman

Queenstown, New Zealand: FULLY ALIVE! That would be the way I would describe that wonderland. Toss the Gorge Road Dirt Park into the mix, and it almost seems too good to be true. The Gorge is a work of art; and showing no lack of effort, the locals put in some SERIOUS shovel time. They were determined to have the place “Tire Trackless” for the Roast Event.
This is a gallery of images from a few sessions on the days leading up to the Roast. It was a chore to put the bike down and shoot photos because the riding vibe was so rad. With riders from all over the world at one hell of a spot, how could it not be?

Check out all 14 photos in this new photogallery!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL PHOTOGALLERY