Our Events
Our Events
Our Events
Wheel Woman runs a few key events throughout the Spring and Summer. Mainly based close to home in the Nelson/ Tasman region.
Our aim is to increase female participation in all aspects of biking, whether thats racing, backcountry riding, coaching or more women out on the local trails. We have a bunch of awesome events planned for 2026 so keep an eye on dates being released and more information!
Dirt Queen MTB Weekend
Dirt Queen MTB Weekend
November 14-15, 2026 - Wairoa Gorge
Always wanted to ride at the Gorge but a bit unsure? Here’s your chance to join a cool bunch of women and check out the amazing trails on offer. Whether you’re an intermediate or advanced rider, we’ll have plenty on offer from guided rides, skills sessions to stay and play!
The Dirt Queen MTB Weekend is all about bringing women together to share their passion of mountain biking. It’s a chance to build confidence, grow skills, explore amazing trails and connect with like-minded riders in an encouraging atmosphere where fun always comes first.
Dirt Queen Day Tripper includes:
1 day Shuttle Pass at The Gorge NZ
MTB coaching
Group Ride outs - Guided rides or free laps if preferred
Scrummy Lunch at the top of the hill
Saturday only
Stay + Play includes:
1 day Shuttle Pass at The Gorge NZ
MTB coaching
Group Ride outs - Guided rides or free laps if preferred
Scrummy Lunch at the top of the hill
Giveaways + Happy Hour followed by mountain top pizzas under the stars
One night’s accommodation at Gibbs Lodge. Mountain top accommodation with spectacular views.
Relaxed Sunday Breakfast. Or get up early and purchase an extra shuttle day pass
Saturday + Sunday
MTB Guiding/Coaching:
Designed to maximise both trail time and learning! Riders will be split into Intermediate + Advanced groups with Coaches providing practical tips, technique tweaks and skill development throughout the ride. Receive real-time feedback with plenty of opportunities to put new techniques into practice where they matter most.
Accommodation:
With stunning views down the valley and out to Tasman Bay, Gibbs Lodge sits at 1030m on top of a mountain and makes for the perfect spot to finish a big day of riding. Gibbs Lodge accommodates a cozy group of 8 people boasting a pizza oven, fire pit, electricity, hot showers, a full kitchen, comfy lounge, deck, heating, toilets and even a washing machine and dryer if you get desperate. Linen and towels included. When ready to leave the ‘eagles nest’, you have a 70km network of single track literally on your doorstep! Relax and enjoy a slow start and ride down OR grab another shuttle pass and play for another day!
Food:
Lunches, dinner and breakfast will be provided for the full weekend. You should bring your own snacks and evening drinks to enjoy.
Costs:
Day Tripper (Saturday): $250
Stay and Play (Sat-Sun): $395
Please Note: the above costs include your $130 Gorge Shuttle Pass. Want to add another Shuttle Pass for Sunday - just let us know!
Transfers:
We can help with car-pooling to and from Wairoa Gorge if required.
Please contact emma@wheelwoman.co.nz to arrange.
Supported Backcountry Rides
Supported Backcountry Rides
What do we mean by supported?
Are you keen on riding the Heaphy Track or Old Ghost Road? Not sure where to start in the planning, preparations or executing the ride itself? We are here to help you achieve your goals and hopefully help reduce stress and make your trips more enjoyable!
Included in the the cost of the trips will be:
Pre trip trailside mechanics/ bike setup workshop where we will also discuss food and gear options
Return travel to/from Nelson
Hut bookings - 2 nights
Qualified guides - PHEC (pre hospital emergency care) and PMBIA (professional mountain bike instructors association) certified, carrying first aid supplies, emergency beacon and basic bike tools.
Help arranging hire of gear as necessary
You will need to supply and carry your own personal gear, food/water and specific bike spares for the three days of riding.
Heaphy Track
Itinerary: Date TBC
Day One - 3 hour transfer from Nelson to Collingwood, ride 17.5km, approx 3 - 4 hours, sleep at Perry Saddle Hut
We will be driving from Nelson on Friday morning. It’s around 3 hours to the start of the track. We will unload and get on our way with plenty of time to make it up to Perry Saddle Hut.
Day Two - Ride 44.7km, approx 6 - 7 hours, sleep at Heaphy Hut
Waking up at Perry Saddle we’ve done the main big climb. Today we will be traversing the tops with an undulating track, passing huts offer tea break and lunch opportunities, then a long fun flow descent to Heaphy Hut
Day Three - Ride 16.2km, approx 3-4 hours, 5hr transfer back to Nelson
You’re truly on the west coast now! A beautiful ride crossing beaches and through huge stands of Nikau palms, undulating track. We will aim to be off the track and driving before lunch time so we’re not too late back to Nelson. There’s an excellent cafe stop in Karamea that shouldn’t be missed anyway! Lunch at own cost
Got questions or want to book?
Hit the ‘contact us’ link at the bottom of this page and get in touch!
Old Ghost Road
Itinerary: May 9-11, 2025
Day One - 2 hour transfer from Nelson, Ride 30km, approx. 5 - 7 hrs, sleep at Ghost Lake Hut
We will be driving from Nelson on Saturday morning aiming to be on the road 7.30am, it is approx 2 hours to the start of the track then we will have time to unload and get to Ghost Lake Hut without rushing.
Day Two - Ride 38km, approx 6 - 8 hrs, sleep at Specimen Point Hut
After a relatively relaxed start we will journey between Ghost Lake and Specimen Point Huts. With some fun descents along with steady climbs its a great day of backcountry riding.
Day Three - Ride 17km, approx 2-4 hours, 3.5 hour transfer to Nelson
The shortest ride day but after two big ones we might be feeling it! It's a scenic pedal out along the stunning gorge on day three with some cool swing bridges and river views. Lunch, at own cost, and a change of clothes at the Rough and Tumble lodge before hopping in the van back to Nelson for around 4pm.
NZOIA Training Weekend
NZOIA Training Weekend
nZOIA pre assessment training
As an NZOIA assessor I am excited about running NZOIA Women's training weekends, here are the details.
Please note that its not technically a weekend its a Fri/Sat and would then give you time to practise and travel home on Sunday.
PROGRAMME:
This is a two-day course to help candidates prepare for the Mountain Bike 1 Assessment. The Mountain Bike 1 qualification is for people who already, or want to, organise, instruct and guide mountain bike trips and skills sessions on trails up to and including MTBNZ Grade 4.
Friday
We will meet at Kaiteriteri, go over the syllabus and scope for the qualification, cover coaching aspects and tricks and tips, how to coach particular skills.
Friday evening I have organised a Women's Bike Maintenance evening at a local bike shop where you will get the chance to work on any rusty bike mechanical skills and up skill yourself for NZOIA MTb1. 6-8pm with some wine and nibbles!
Saturday
We will finish off any further skills from Friday and then get into your chance to practise coaching/guiding and the delivery of skills to your peers with plenty of time for friendly feedback. Finishing up around 4pm with a re cap over a beer and pizza at Kaiteri beach!
I have 6 spots on the course and bookings are now open. To secure your place please email me.