Heli-Biking in New Zealand is Epic

“A thick layer of fog makes the scene that much more intense as the helicopter touches down. One by one, each mountain biker jogs away from the helicopter. One by one, the bikes are unloaded,” journalist and on-camera personality Sarah Sekula describes in a story for ESPN about heli-biking in New Zealand.

“We’re at 6500 feet, staring down the Pisa Mountain Range, home to one of New Zealand’s highest mountain-biking trails,” Sekula writes. “Minutes later, I mount my full-suspension bike with hopeful thoughts. However, part of me is still concocting worst-case scenarios. You know, broken clavicle or chipped front teeth. Or both.

“All that said, I’m still game because there’s something so wonderful about venturing into the unknown. So, with waivers signed and helmets on, we take off.

“Random rock formations dot the landscape, bright green pastures as far as the eye can see, the Southern Alps in the distance and insanely blue lakes.

“It’s so awe-inspiring, in fact, it is hard to keep my mind on the task at hand.

“Heli-biking was one of the most epic experiences I had in New Zealand, and it was one of the most memorable days I’ve ever spent on a bike. It was challenging, but I progressively got better at it throughout the five-hour journey. I would definitely do it again, especially now that I feel more confident.”

Original article by Sarah Sekula, ESPN, May 17, 2018.

Photo by Raymond Tiddy.