29. November 2021

MOVING MOUNTAINS - PAPAROA TRACK NEW ZEALAND - A FILM BY KONA BIKES

Check out the latest video released by Kona Bicycles this month - 'Moving Mountains' - an epic bikepacking trip across the recently built Paparoa Track in New Zealand's South Island.

The Paparoa Track and the rugged West Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand seemed like the perfect fit for the Kona Unit X. Both riders and film crew were fitted our in full aeroe gear, which kept the gear in place and dry for the trip in some typically tough and wet conditions found in the area.

Sit back and enjoy the video and all the latest photos.....and of course put this trip on your bucket list!

Moving Mountains from Kona Bikes on Vimeo.

The 56.2km (32.5 mile) Paparoa Track is New Zealand’s latest mixed-use backcountry ride. It joins the already extremely popular Heaphy Track and Old Ghost Road as prime bikepacking trip destinations. Its point-to-point route is what bikepacking dreams are made of: the perfect gradients, insane views, epically-located backcountry huts, and some of the most beautiful bush New Zealand has to offer. The track crosses the Paparoa Range, taking riders through alpine peaks, limestone karst landscapes, and thriving rainforests. While it can be ridden in a day, the route is dotted with three backcountry Department of Conservation (DOC) huts to encourage people to take in an overnight or multi-day experience. Each hut provides track users with bunk beds and mattresses, running water and gas cookers. Track users need to carry all their own food, sleeping bags and clothing—especially wet weather gear. The Paparoa range is situated on New Zealand’s West Coast where it rains 195 days a year on average, with 3,000 mm (118 inches) of rainfall annually.

The Blackpool 'Hilton' as the start of the trip @calebsmith paparoa track aeroe

Khulan and Viet all smiles at the start of the trip as they head off.

The West Coast has a long history of mining.

The Paparoa Track and the rugged West Coast of New Zealand.

Paparoa track ridgeline

View from the top is worth it. Much like the extreme West Coast landscape, the bikepacking-ready fully-rigid steel Unit X and aeroe gear can handle it all.

@calebsmith