Scottish World Cup racer Ben Cathro is currently spending the off season in New Zealand racing the Raboplus North Island downhill cup. He’s currently leading the series after 3 rounds.
This is part one of the Cathro NZ diaries, which quite possibly might only have one part to it.

Check out Pt 1 below…”The 36er”

In the photo here you have Jeff Anderson (The owner), Steven Pattle (Mechanic) and Little Dan (The wee baz).
They work in a little bike shop called kiwi bikes in Rotorua who are mega helpful and quite unique. If you’ve bust you’re bike and you’re nice to them they’ll let you use the workshop and their internet for free. We took full advantage of this and had a great time hanging about the shop.
The really amazing thing about this shop is that Jeff makes his own bikes! He’s got a little workshop in the back for knocking up frames and re-welding any cracks in you’re pride and joy.

There’s one bike that Jeff has made in particular that really caught my attention: The 36er. Believe it or not it this bad boy actually has 36 inch wheels and it fits me like a dream. For those people out there who think it’s just a gimmick, Jeff raced this bike in the single speed champs and did pretty well on it.
Apparently it eats rocks and small children for breakfast. If you happen to be in Rotorua make sure you drop in and say hi, you might get a shot. Oh, one other thing. The name of the shop is changing to Mint.
Perfect name really.

scottish world cup downhill Ben Cathro NZ Diaries