Good Times in Queenstown with Conor Macfarlane - Video and Interview

Queenstown has a reputation for being the capital of mountain biking in the Southern Hemisphere for a reason. There are countless trails, a bike gondola assisted bike park, the famous Gorge Road dirt jumps, Dream track and plenty more. It’s not just the biking that attracts people to Queenstown though, the scenery and vibe is second to none as well. Conor Macfarlane calls Queenstown home and wouldn’t have it any other way...




When did you move to Queenstown?
My first summer in Queenstown was in 2008-09 but only for a few months before I moved to Dunedin for the year. My first full summer was 2011.




Had you always thought of it as a rad place to live when you were a kid?
Yeah, we almost moved there as a family when I was three and all the children in the family always said how we should have moved there instead of Invercargill.

What’s the first thing that comes into your head when I say “Queenstown”.
Good times.




Who inspired you when you started riding?
My Neighbour Matt Reid and my Dad. Also Pete Miller - he took me on heaps of road trips and definitely opened my eyes up to what riding was like out of Invercargill.




What’s your favorite trail to ride here and why?
Would have to be Dream Track if that counts as a trail. Biking wise it ticks off the three things I enjoy most, my DH bike, being in the air and doing tricks.





Did you have any mentors here in QT that helped you develop your riding?
The people such as Nathan Greenwood and the QMTBC have had a huge role in developing my riding to where it is at at the moment. Without the jumps and tracks they have developed over the years I wouldn’t have as many places to learn and progress to where I am. Also having riders such as Brett Frew and Kelly Mcgarry around town gave me something to aspire to.





What’s the best thing about living in Queenstown?
It’s filled with like-minded individuals who want to ride bikes, get outdoors, and just generally have a good time!

You’ve ridden quite a few places in North America and lived in Whistler. What do you miss about Queenstown when you’re away?
I guess Queenstown is home now so I miss home after a while and everything that comes with that. Friends, family, girlfriend, all the local spots and the laidback and easy going vibe.




Where’s the best place to get a drink?
Altas Beer café for sure!

Where’s the best place to eat? Lunch, dinner?
Vudu café is pretty awesome, or Fergburger if you want to brave the queues, and dinner would have to be a steak at Atlas or a feed at the Blue Kanu (Pacifica and Asian styled food)

Where can I get my bike fixed?
All the bike shops in town are awesome but I generally go to the Ride Centre as its right by the gondola.

Who are the people who make Queenstown’s MTB scene as good as it is?
All the people who GSD (get s**t done) in the QMTBC, all the Wednesday diggers, and then all the GC’s (use your imagination...) who make every ride as good as it is.

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