Yeti Cycles: New Zealand. Proven Here - Video

Apr 12, 2016
by Yeti Cycles  







From the tangled sheep paths of the tussock grasslands to purpose-built trails snaking through the sharp mountain peaks, New Zealand ’s varied topography makes for an awe-inspiring mountain bike playground. We traveled throughout the South Island testing the SB5.5c on the fast, rugged conditions in Queenstown and Mount Cook to the mud and gnarled roots of the beach forests of Craigieburn.





Views: 31,306    Faves: 615    Comments: 24



Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here
Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here





Queenstown is the social and adventure hub of the south island. From grabbing lunch and chatting up the line, at the iconic Fergburger to swinging a few thousand off feet the ground on a bungy, it has it all covered. Littered throughout the hills above Queenstown in the Cornet and Moonlight peaks are trails, trails that make for exceptional riding. Yeti’s World Enduro riders Cody Kelley and Richie Rude sampled the goods and often went back for more.





Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here
Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here





The iconic Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest peak, knows as Aoraki to the native Māori people. While the destination is primarily known by adventure seekers for rock climbing, the steep paths hidden among the tussock grass provide for some untamed and challenging downhills runs. The hike back up the pitches forces one to take pause at the top, sometimes to catch your breath, but more so to enjoy the view after each successive ride down.





Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here
Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here
Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here





The high alpine areas of the Craigieburn region are covered in scrub and beech forests. The trees’ dense thicket of growth provides a canopy creating a wet and muddy playground. Richie and Cody slid, roosted and bounded their way down, playing a bit of cat and mouse. Although the pace was slower than their norm, the technical nature of carrying speed from corner to corner delighted their racer sensibilities.





Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here





Our trip to New Zealand was all about exploring the sheer scope of the landscape and the fantastic riding it offers. With a small population and virtually no trail access issues, the riding is almost limitless. We imagine like it was 50 years ago in the U.S. We all agreed, the laid back NZ lifestyle grew on us.





Yeti Cycles New Zealand. Proven Here

NEW ZEALAND. PROVEN HERE.

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YETI SB5.5c: yeticycles.com/bikes/sb55c
Excursion: yeticycles.com/excursions/new-zealand
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Video HD: vimeo.com/yeticycles
_


Cinematography By: Joey Schusler

Directed By: Joey Schusler
Edited By: Craig Grant
Sound Design: Keith White
Original Music: Ajay Bhattacharyya

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Photography By: Dave Trumpore
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Yeti World Enduro Riders: Richie Rude and Cody Kelley

_


#YetiCycles #ProvenHere #SB55c

MENTIONS: @yeticycles



Posted In:
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Author Info:
yeticycles avatar

Member since Aug 22, 2000
78 articles

124 Comments
  • 195 1
 Wow.
  • 18 136
flag abzillah (Apr 12, 2016 at 2:11) (Below Threshold)
 All staged. No backpack, no water, no food; they didn't climb that mountain.
  • 23 1
 @abzillah: Woah! How do you know?! I didn't realise that this is how film makers do it, I must learn from this...
  • 76 2
 @abzillah: you're one of the people who try to find holes in the plot of Star Wars instead of just enjoying the damn movie.
  • 6 3
 @abzillah: more negativity pls
  • 10 19
flag abzillah (Apr 12, 2016 at 7:57) (Below Threshold)
 @ReformedRoadie: Yes, I always wondered why the laser guns in star wars shows a beam of light moving through the air at low speed, and emitting light in all directions. It totally doesn't make sense, must have been staged.
*Don't take my comments seriously. It's a beautiful bike, beautiful pics of New Zealand; I was just wondering how they made it up the mountain without any gear.
  • 9 1
 You can say that again! I love Yeti's "Proven Here" videos, Joey Schusler is the man!
  • 55 1
 @abzillah: We rode up :-)
  • 2 0
 What a place, blew my mind. Amazing.
  • 60 0
 Staged or not, that blonde chic rips!
  • 1 0
 @davetrump: 7th pic from the bottom, the one with the waterfall, where is this?
  • 1 0
 @demo-dood: Fiordlands National Park. It's off the road out of Milford Sound. Heavy rain overnight had waterfalls flowing everywhere you looked
  • 64 0
 In the next one, do they make it to Mordor?
  • 46 0
 One does not simply shred the gnar to Mordor.
  • 9 0
 only if they do it on ONE CHAINRING (to rule them all)
  • 4 0
 i think so.. Legolas has impressive bike skills! Big Grin
  • 52 3
 Cody Kelly is quite androgynous.
  • 15 0
 Got to give Cody extra kudos for keeping up with Ritchie with the dust cloud covering the trail! Stunning video!!
  • 2 1
 Cody Kelly also has two first names. Like the anti Channing Tatum/Tatum Channing. Always forget which one comes first.
  • 2 0
 Are you all confused about your feeling towards another man Jim-laden?
  • 1 0
 Actually I think it's Cody Kelley Smile
  • 30 1
 Only 2 days until I move to NZ. First assignment fly down to Queenstown for a Kiwi wedding and get on some of these trails on my birthday which is Anzac day. Woo hoo!
  • 5 0
 SOB Big Grin
  • 30 0
 I'm gonna go ride my bike now...
  • 18 0
 New wallpapers for my pc! yeah Big Grin
  • 13 0
 Been waiting for this one for a long time, and it was more than worth the wait. Incredible work everyone involved. Yeti content is on a whole another level that continually awes and inspires.
  • 8 0
 Thanks @satchscratch we had a blast making this one !!!
  • 7 0
 @davetrump: I bet... NZ pretty much defines my bucket list at this point! (Me and everybody else on this site though I suppose)
  • 9 0
 Every single person I know, that went to NZ, went crazy! I definitely HAVE to go there! Someone from NZ hire me please. I speak english, I am an aeronautical engineer, I ride bikes and most importantly.... I forgot what I was about to say, but it does not matter... just hire me! I wanna live there!!!
  • 9 0
 Air New Zealand employ a lot of aeronautical engineers in Christchurch....
  • 4 0
 @MattInNZ: Check out Air New Zealand Regional Maintenance their hiring.
  • 10 0
 Cody Kelley - Steeze hound.
  • 9 0
 Proven here videos are the best! Showing mountain biking in all its glory
  • 8 1
 Man, that blonde lady can ride.
  • 6 3
 For the record, I FU*KING LOVE this video! It was easy to click "Add to Favorites."

However, due to recent articles here on Pinkbike on trail access, a question kept popping in my head during the video; is this evidence that would support our right to trail access or would it be the opposite?

I am having a hard time answering it myself, because on one hand it is beautiful media but on the other hand two guys doing cutties in a corner are nothing, but I personally stay away from trails after a race weekend.

What say you riders? Bike industry?
  • 3 1
 I was actually thinking the same thing - one the one hand we bikers love to say "but riding causes no more erosion / trail degradation than hiking" but when watching these videos it's pretty hard to believe it. Ripping video though, man I miss the trails from home.
  • 8 0
 The trails on Coronet Peak shot in this video that you are speaking of are some of the most heavily ridden MTB trails in NZ. And by heavily ridden I mean ripped down, shredded, and drifted like no other as they are for bikes only and favorites among the locals. That said, this was shot in Feb, late in the NZ summer and the trails were in great shape despite a summer long effort by all riders to ride in a manner that you are insinuating will destroy and erode trails and make us look bad. But in actuality the trails were just fine despite a daily beatdown by bikes. I would argue that drifting in loose and dusty corners like that actually leaves the trail in better shape than in started and cleans up the surface.
  • 2 1
 @davetrump: that is great NZ has such an awesome place to ride! I'm just being selfish, I guess, as I was referring to the articles on Pinkbike related to US trail access and how media like this effects the perception of our sport.

Your argument that displacing soil (or dust) with our tires continuously over the same area is a positive thing might need some investigation; deep cut ruts in corners are what I see from multiple riders trying to drift. (Pssst don't tell anyone, but they are fun AF!)
  • 2 1
 @davetrump: The beech tree forest they enter at about 3minutes is not coronet peak.
  • 2 0
 @mattfitz: yup... and no one was blowing up the corners in the beech forest. I'd like to think there is a minimum amount of actual bike riding allowed here. it's how we all ride bikes every single day and why we buy bikes with big knobby tires and 5-6" of suspension.... Don't kid yourselves... you can't ride down a trail made up of 3" deep loam and not have it drift and spray around a little bit. Oh, and as a final note, we were on MTB trails with the actual trail builders and went back the following day to repair any damage that may have been done (and took pictures knowing that someone in the comments section might get unnecessarily angry), but there was no damage.
  • 2 2
 @davetrump: I suggest you check 3:20 through 3:40 again. Trail access and advocacy is a big deal back in NZ and is an ongoing concern.

It's currently en vogue to blast loam around unnecessarily in MTB media. It's a trend that I fear is doing the community a disservice.
  • 3 0
 @mattfitz: Yup, checked it, and looks like riding bikes to me... and it didn't bother the trail builders present or any of the locals all of who were out shredding even harder the next day by the shuttle load. And like I said there was no damage, but what do I know, I was actually there and went out with the builders the next day to check for any damage after the rain storm.

Seriously, bark up another tree because you have no argument here.
  • 1 2
 @davetrump: No need to get so defensive, we're all just talking here. You're free to ignore the argument all you want - that's your prerogative - but don't be an ostrich with your head in the sand pretending that clips like this do not play a part in the ongoing trail access debate.

Also, where I think we got off on the wrong foot:
"...despite a summer long effort by all riders to ride in a manner that you are insinuating will destroy and erode trails and make us look bad..."
- I am not insinuating that riding in that way will destroy the trails. I am stating as a fact, that parties like DOC and the Sierra club, suggest riding like this causes erosion and they use it as a tool to block trail access. If it's true or not doesn't matter, it's a case of perception.

"I would argue that drifting in loose and dusty corners like that actually leaves the trail in better shape than in started and cleans up the surface."
- That's just foolish.
  • 5 0
 @mattfitz: Find me one instance where a trail network or access has been shut down because riding in video's was sighted on the internet? Seriously? You are trying to create a controversy and stir the pot for no reason. We even worked with DOC on this trip to gain access to trails not usually permitted for bikes and they were incredibly supportive of what we were doing. The majority of these trails were MTB specific, built for and by riders and not multi use hiking trails, so what are the hiking communities going to do? Sight mountain bikers for riding their own trails an a manner that doesn't line up with their already anti-bike views? The groups trying to ban bikes have more than enough ammunition lined up, and enough $$$ and political influence that they certainly don't even have to bother sighting internet videos. One tire track in the mud at your local trail head will do years worth more damage than anything seen here thats for sure.

You are making up a problem/consequence that simply isn't going to happen, in an effort to make a point despite actual facts to the contrary being presented to you. And you are using the 3:20-3:40 section of the above video to make an example of? It's hard to ride around a corner in fresh cut wet loam without riding like that.... unless you slow to an absolute crawl, which is both unnecessary and unrealistic.

Maybe you should watch this video made two years ago and remind me how many trail networks it got shut down?
www.pinkbike.com/news/video-lars-sternberg-loam-ranger-2014.html

Zero? Thats what I thought

Or this one from many of the trails filmed above
www.pinkbike.com/news/must-watch-george-brannigan-loose-laps-2015.html

Zero again... in fact Queenstown MTB built a bunch of fresh new trails this year to expand that network

Or this one, again from NZ that starts with a minute of skidding down off trail skree fields
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdfdMW5S65s

We actually used that video to show DOC and get permission to ride private land areas.

You've been told no damage was done to said trails. You've been told that we worked with local builders and DOC when we rode said trails, you've been told none of these groups were in anyway upset, yet you are still insinuating that this type of video and riding will promote trail closures.

Please, let your next response only contain facts to back up your argument. The same way facts have been presented to you as a counter point.
  • 2 0
 @bryan46: Deep cut ruts in corners is totally different than skimming across the top, above the hard pack and though the loose dirt that is simply surface dust. The same dirt that washes away in the rain and makes trails fresh again. Watch the video... it hadn't rained in weeks and the about of dust kicking up just from coasting should make it pretty clear how dry it was.

I'll agree all day long that smashing corners for the sake of blowing them up is lame and destructive, but sliding around on top if no different than taking a broom to it, and it turn leaves the surface fresh and better than it started, and since your tires aren't digging into anything no ruts are make.

Even in the above video it's plain to see the hard dirt underneath isn't being rutted out of ruined, in fact hardly a tire track is left in it.
  • 1 0
 @davetrump: "Find me one instance where a trail network or access has been shut down because riding in video's was sighted on the internet?"
- I'm lucky enough to be calling pdx home at the moment, and while I don't feel like doing the legwork to find a source, I have seen more than a few instances where videos of riders are being used as reasons to keep riders out of forest park (spend some time on bikeportland.org)

Granted, Portland is not the norm, and hopefully it's not a problem where you are. To your question, has it directly resulted in closure? Of course not, but it is part of the wider debate.

"You are making up a problem/consequence that simply isn't going to happen, in an effort to make a point despite actual facts to the contrary being presented to you. And you are using the 3:20-3:40 section of the above video to make an example of? It's hard to ride around a corner in fresh cut wet loam without riding like that.... unless you slow to an absolute crawl, which is both unnecessary and unrealistic."

No. I used the section from 3:20 to 3:40 to refute your claim that "... and no one was blowing up the corners in the beech forest".

Watch the video again, read your statement again, and realize your statement was false. Or don't, who cares.

I'm stoked that you and the team worked with DOC to gain access and do it right, honestly, I mean that.

"...yet you are still insinuating that this type of video and riding will promote trail closures..."
- again, no, I'm saying it may be used as fuel in the debate, and that debate may result in trial closure.

Your straw-manning of the argument (beech forest vs scree et al) is tiring so I'll be moving on and going for a ride.
  • 2 1
 @mattfitz: be sure not to displace any dirt, that would cause you to be hypocritical.

The sierra club is surely watching
  • 2 1
 Some creative license with the editing. Riding up Ben Lomond, all the way to the foothills of Mt Cook and then down Rude Rock/PTS would be an epic ride indeed. Unfortunately Sutherland Falls are in Fiordland and there is very little mountain biking in the national park.
  • 4 0
 Love the contrast in riding styles. Richie is all no-nonsense brute speed. Cody is fast with style.
  • 1 0
 Wow. Stunning scenery, great riding. That's one of those videos you show your non-MTB friends so they get why you would spend time and money on this thing.

Weird rational mind thing going on in the back of my head though. I have almost gotten used to seeing all the people riding without gloves. Guess they just go down less than me, or they don't give a shit about their hands (unlike me - earning a living using a keyboard and all that), or perhaps they get so much extra feel from riding barehanded it's totally worth it to them. But Richie Rude riding without glasses? Shit never flies up into his face, even in loamy/muddy forests? That's a bit of a headscratcher for me. Maybe he just has such ninja-like focus, getting hit with mud splatter or little branches in the eye while going mach chicken through the forest doesn't faze him...
  • 1 0
 I've spoken to Rude Boy one time I think at Massanutten and yet having been at so many races over the years with him and his pops, it still seems unreal to see this stocky 14 year mountain of a kid charging down a path I couldn't imagine bikes would have taken him.

So many props to the Rude family. Oh, and you're supposed to be racing World Cup DH. Heh. Wink
  • 1 0
 Hauntingly, hauntingly beautiful. It'll take me about a week to process what I saw, but I already have a feeling that this will end up surpassing "Pacific Northwest" in my soul. As ever, Mr. Schusler
 and Mr. Trumpore, your work and that of your team embodies "hors catégorie". I'm honored to have experienced it.
  • 2 0
 Thanks for the kind words
  • 1 0
 @davetrump: Thank YOU!
  • 4 0
 Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane …
  • 4 0
 They should have had a band of Uruk Hai chasing them down the hill
  • 2 0
 Thank you for the coffee coming out of my nose.
  • 4 0
 Damn! I miss this beautiful country!!
  • 4 1
 I finally understand people who watch action sports videos and comment on the scenery
  • 4 0
 Best article ever.so pumped up after watching the video,well done....
  • 2 0
 Yeti has been putting out some amazing marketing videos over the past year. The one filmed in Iceland was ridiculously beautiful too!
  • 2 2
 Awesome vid and pics. Both of these guys are rippers. Kinda get the impression that Richie could drop the hammer and leave Cody in the dust at any point he wanted. I and many others would love to see Richie on the World Cup Downhill circuit. Yeti you need to get on it and build him an DH bike before one of the big three pushes a huge check in front of him and he cannot say no.
  • 4 0
 That blond girl is gorgeous.
  • 3 0
 ...here comes that awkward, confusing moment when you realize that hot chick you've been checking out is really a dude.
  • 1 0
 @yeticycles was this video edited by Trent Reznor? Holly.... incredible mix of sound and visuals!

I just found out @joeyschusler put this video together. Dude you nailed it!!
  • 1 0
 Chick's a dude!

I seriously thought it was a chick and a guy throughout the whole video and even for some of the pictures.

No offense Cody, s'just those long goldielocks Smile
  • 4 1
 Spectacular! I need to get out of Australia, stat!
  • 4 0
 I think I ended up on the wrong side of the ditch.
  • 2 4
 @kurtwerby: for MTB you probably did but Aussie has got plenty to make up for it too in other departments.
  • 2 0
 @FurryCrew: No, not really.

Plus, I'd love to go riding and not have to worry about everything in the forest, which can kill me rather easily. I've had enough close calls with venomous snakes now, too.
  • 3 0
 @kurtwerby: The lack of dangerous shit here is awesome, the riding beats that.

That craigieburn stuff is the stuff of legends.
  • 2 0
 Wow ! Felt like I was watching lifecycles 2. For a second there. Man they have to make another life cycles!
  • 3 0
 I didn't know Hansel rode a Yeti...
  • 1 0
 Who else didn't notice that they were on new bikes? I realized it after i scrolled back up through the home page and saw the first ride of the SB5.5c.
  • 3 1
 I love yetis travel coverage!
  • 2 0
 ohhh....Now I switch from natgeo chanell...
  • 2 0
 PODential on about every shot!
  • 1 0
 Dodgy riding at Mt Cook, thats a national park! What trails were they riding there?
  • 1 0
 Special permission granted by DOC all done through proper channels.
  • 1 0
 I was just about to say the same thing. I think there's only one bike route there and its on the valley floor and more for touring cyclists. And apart from winter on the Heaphy, mtb is strictly forbidden in National Parks in NZ. Maybe next time they should put a disclosure in. Lots of folk will get the wrong idea
  • 2 0
 Wait Rude did I see Rude smiling ? no my bad
  • 2 0
 Not ready to go to work now
  • 1 0
 Feeling very patriotic right now. I need to make a Queenstown trip happen next summer. It was cruel to post this in Autumn.
  • 1 0
 this trails looks like mtb paradise....you can get there only if you can ride like Richie Rude
  • 1 0
 Wow. That was one epic product video. Like one of the best vids ive seen in a long time.
  • 1 0
 #waggonwheels for the win....

Yeti always kills it with their photo/video game
  • 1 0
 Did yeti and YT plan this? They both release a new 29er and the best two 29er videos I've ever seen a few days apart.
  • 1 0
 Great. Now I want a Yeti. And a New Zealand. And those sunglasses.

Nice work @davetrump !! Thanks for the inspiration!
  • 1 0
 Damn that chick can ride!!! If she can keep up with Richie why isn't she racing the EWS?
  • 1 0
 This is just mind-blowing !
  • 1 0
 Is this the trail gee and Stevie rode on in FollowMe?
  • 1 0
 Incredible riding, videography, editing. Wow.
  • 1 0
 That was a sick video! end of.
  • 1 0
 Just spent half & hour watching this video again & again :-)
  • 2 0
 OMG - what a country Smile
  • 1 0
 0:49 HOW ??????????????? please tell me
  • 1 0
 Yeti always makes the best launch videos...stunning videography.
  • 1 0
 Gloves on, gloves off. Great video like always!
  • 1 0
 Urg, way to make a kiwi homesick!
  • 1 0
 BOOOM!!! my mind is blown!
  • 2 3
 I honestly thought cody was a girl until I was about half-way through the photos....had my mouth open in awe that a female rider had style!!!
  • 1 0
 jajaja, totally
  • 1 0
 Where is the last pic shoot?
  • 2 0
 From a helicopter up above Fiordlands National Park. An experience that won't soon be forgotten.
  • 1 0
 That chick rips... Bike is lame sauce though.
  • 1 0
 yeti's proven here pics never fail to make it as my desktop wallpaper
  • 1 0
 That last pic just doesn't seem real. Too incredible.
  • 1 0
 The new 170mm travel seatpost is definetly the thing for Cody ^^
  • 1 0
 漂亮!
  • 1 0
 benchmark by any means 3
  • 1 0
 amazing pics
  • 1 0
 Simply amazing!
  • 1 0
 Dat enduro steeZe!
  • 1 0
 awsm video.Yeti nice!!!
  • 1 2
 the grey looks grey..t.
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