Going EPIC – Volcanic Style

Having seen the previous few editions of the Volcanic Epic which is held on the North Island of New Zealand, and having previously spent some 14 days riding trails in this region, New Zealand was calling again! It’s time to assemble the crew for a March 2026 assault on this race.

As any good team, we needed to organise custom kit for the team. We reached out to the crew at Bowy Custom, who are an Australian based cycling kit company. Allan & the team at Bowy designed and crafted the race kit, with the famous saying of ‘buddies, bikes, bumps, berms, beers’

Our last stint overseas featured 10 Aussies travelling to BCBR in Vancouver Island, Canada for a 7 day stage race last year. We had an awesome turn out. If we were to make this yer just as special, we would need candidates who would trek and follow Browny & Leckie across to race in another international destination.  

The Volcanic Epic team line-up looks like:

• Browny – Always chasing racing and taking the AMFLOW to NZ
• Leckie – Unbound finisher and multiple BCBR competitor
• Guru – Chief Heckler and team manager
• Kevlar – Multiple 24hr veteran and past BCBR finisher
• Michelle Newstead – World Champion in 24hr and Multiple National Champion
• Grant Hodgkins – World Champion and overall legend
• Russell Rankin – Popping the cheering of travelling and racing aboard
• Graham Smith – Always up for a race anywhere in the world
• Mel Bates – Mentally tough and driven MTB rider
• Claire Gauld – You will hear Claire anywhere in the bush. Her Laughter is infectious
• Peter Morrison – Top competitor at National & State level races

If you trace back how the Volcanic Epic ended up on our radar, you have to rewind to 2023. That year, Leckie spent much of the BC Bike Race week riding with NDURO Events founder Tim Farmer. As BCBR co-owner Andreas Hestler likes to say, you end up spending the week riding with “your people,” and that’s exactly what happened. Trail talk flowed, stories were swapped, and Tim mentioned what they were building back home.

Fast forward to 2024, and both Leckie and I crossed paths with Tim and Belinda again, this time at the Quad Crown event in Newcastle, Australia, where they were racing. It was a shorter three-day stage race, and let’s just say my day wasn’t exactly one for the highlight reel. I hit the wall with around six kilometres to go and ended up walking out, powered mostly by support crew encouragement and a few cans of Coke.

But even then, the Volcanic Epic kept coming up in conversation. By 2025, the decision was made. We were in. Now heading into its fourth year, the event has serious momentum behind it, and if things continue the way they’re going, it’s almost certain to sell out in 2026.

Volcanic Epic commences in the Taupo region with stage 1

Stage 1: Taupo region
Location: Craters MTB Park
Distance: 48km
Elevation: 1,207m

“We’re kicking off 2026 with a bang – no warm-up, no prologue, just straight into the action. Stage 1 begins with a mass start alongside the thundering power of Huka Falls, before diving deep into the flowing trails of Craters MTB Park.

Expect endless ribbons of singletrack weaving through pine forest and geothermal terrain, purpose-built for speed, rhythm and fun. If you lift your eyes for a second, you might just catch a glimpse of the vast blue expanse of Lake Taupō – sitting calmly atop one of the world’s largest super volcanoes.

This is the perfect blend of adrenaline, beauty and challenge. Welcome to Day One.”

Stage 2 will be EPIC – Helicopter to the top of Patutu Tops

Stage 2: Kaimanawa 26 March
Location: Kaimanawa Descent
Distance: 22.4km
Elevation: 467​m

“This is the kind of day you dream about. A helicopter lift to the Patutu Tops at 1,673m – then straight into 23km of unforgettable singletrack through the heart of the Kaimanawa Ranges.

But don’t be fooled – this isn’t all downhill. While gravity is on your side, the terrain still demands fitness, flow and focus. Expect punchy climbs, fast transitions and moments where your legs and lungs will earn the epic views.

The first 15km rolls through wide-open alpine tussock with panoramic views across the Central Plateau – including three volcanoes; Tongariro, Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom), and the mighty Ruapehu.

Then the trail funnels into a tight, twisting descent through native mountain beech forest, delivering a final 8km of pure singletrack bliss. This is New Zealand’s only heli-accessed trail of its kind – private, raw, and absolutely unforgettable.”

Stage 3 rides the trail network of Kinloch with stunning views along the coastline

Stage 3: Kinloch – Taupo 27 March
Start: Kinloch Lake Front
Finish: Craters MTB Park
Distance: 50.5km
Elevation: 1,228m

“Back on the shores of the great lake, Stage 3 starts in the lakeside village of Kinloch and throws you straight into one of the most scenic trail networks in the country, the Great Lake Trails.

You’ll tackle the legendary W2K track and the Headland Loop, flowing high above Lake Taupō with sweeping views and buttery singletrack. Then it’s a fast, fun descent into Whakaipo Bay – a perfect midpoint to catch your breath and take in the view before the real work begins.​

A short road liaison links you back into Craters MTB Park where unfinished business awaits. This time, you’ll dive into the trails we didn’t ride on Stage 1 – a whole new section of flow, punchy climbs and playful descents that showcase just how deep this trail network really goes.”

Stage 4 moves riders north to Cougar MTB Park.

Stage 4: Tokoroa 28 March
Location: Cougar MTB Park
Distance: 30.1km
Elevation: 600m​

“Back by popular demand – and better than ever. We return to Tokoroa’s Cougar MTB Park, voted the #1 stage of 2023. But don’t expect a repeat. The trails have evolved, with new lines, fresh features, and even more opportunities to ride fast, flow hard, and have a blast.

Today is shorter in distance, but it’s all about quality over quantity. Expect a punchy, high-fun-factor stage packed with berms, rollers, and grin-inducing trail design through towering pines and native bush.

It’s a day to reset the legs, enjoy the vibe, and ride something special in a place that’s earned its fan favourite status for good reason.”

Stage 5 and the final Volcanic Epic fling in the famous Redwoods.

Stage 5: Rotorua 29 March​
Location: Te Puia Geothermal Valley
Finish: Rotorua CBD
Distance: 58.6km
Elevation: 1,841m

“Kicking off at Te Puia – the cultural and geothermal heart of Rotorua – and finishing with a hero’s welcome in the iconic Government Gardens in the CBD.

This is the Queen Stage. 50km of everything that makes Rotorua world-famous for mountain biking. From steaming geothermal valleys to dense native forest, this route takes you deep into the Whakarewarewa trail network, with fast, flowing singletrack and the kind of punchy climbs that test your grit on the final day.

But the ride isn’t over until you’ve crossed the wild, volcanic terrain of the Sulphur Flats – a surreal, otherworldly finish that perfectly captures the raw power of the region. From cultural landmarks to trail gold, this stage is a celebration of everything the Volcanic Epic stands for. Big energy. Big terrain. A big sense of achievement when you roll into the finish chute.

Another great option which Mel & Claire have opted for is the last 2 days option for racing in a short stage version.  The NDURO crew certainly know how to pack a singletrack and stunning trails and destinations together.”

Head to https://www.volcanicepic.co.nz/ to get your entry in for 2026.  Come and say G’day to the Aussie’s when you see the crew out in the EPIC kit.