The idea for our drop zone didn’t start with a shovel in the ground — it started in Queenstown. We were there completing our PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) Level 2 jumps and drops course, spending time learning from Ross Dunlop and Rory Bingham. One session in particular stood out: a drop session at Seven Mile. Everything about the feature worked well. The design, the terrain, the way you could approach the drops at different speeds and apply different techniques, it created huge learning opportunities. It became pretty clear that this was exactly what we were missing back home. We knew we needed something like this in our area.
Once we got back, we reached out to Te Miro Mountain Bike Club, shared the vision, and got the all-clear to start exploring options. Finding the right location took time. We were looking for something very specific. The hill needed enough gradient so the landing didn’t feel too harsh and enough height so riders could roll in slowly and land close to the drop, or carry a bit more speed and land further down the slope. That scale was critical. It meant we could teach different techniques, accommodate a wide range of riders, and allow people to progress without needing bigger or higher features.
Eventually, we found the spot and it delivered exactly what we were hoping for. While we imagined what the finished product would look like, in reality, it was a steep hillside completely covered in scrub. Everything was cleared by hand. Some keen teenagers from our St Peters MTB programme put in a big effort to clear most of the hillside in one afternoon. AgBuild came to the rescue by bringing in a digger to remove one particularly stubborn stump that would have caused major issues. There was no chance that one was coming out manually.
From the start, we were determined to build the drop zone properly without it becoming a financial burden. This was always meant to be a community asset, so keeping costs down was important. That’s where ITM Cambridge came on board in a huge way, generously sponsoring materials for the build. Their support was massive and genuinely helped get the project off the ground, so a huge thank you to the team at ITM Cambridge.
With materials sorted, and the ground finally clear, we could get in with spades and start setting posts. From there, the project began to take shape quickly — although “quickly” still involved a lot of sweat. Around 20 lengths of 150 x 50 rails and numerous strainer posts and tools had to be carried up the hill by hand. Anyone who thinks the hill feels steep now should know that Nicole and I had already done countless laps hauling timber before a single bike ever rolled in.
Most of the build was cranked out between Christmas and New Year, then finished off once we were back from holiday in late January. Luke Davis-Mackintosh a good mate and builder helped out massively putting in some hours with us after work often in some fairly wet conditions. Seeing it all come together after months of planning, problem-solving, and physical work was incredibly rewarding.
Beginner riders often feel a little intimidated when they first see the drops, and honestly, that’s intentional. We didn’t want something you could walk up to and immediately think, “That looks easy.” Instead, we wanted to create a space where riders can learn the right tools to accelerate their progression and build genuine confidence. A place that prepares them to tackle Grade 4 and 5 trails with skill, control, and belief in their ability. Feeling challenged creates opportunity. When riders apply correct technique, they quickly realise just how manageable and how much fun the drops can feel.
The drops are forgiving if you ride them well, which creates massive room for growth. Riders can build confidence, consistency, and understanding, rather than just surviving the feature.
It’s centrally positioned in the park, naturally becoming a hub. Families and friends will be able to hang out together, everyone having something to work on in the same space. That sense of shared progression and community is exactly what we hope to create.
We’re genuinely stoked to now be offering structured drop sessions in the Waikato something that simply hasn’t existed here before. These drops are perfectly suited not just for coaching, but for long-term rider development. They create a space where technique, confidence, and progression come together, and where riders of all ages and abilities can challenge themselves in a safe, supportive environment.
