New Zealand Summer is Here

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The Season of Shred party has become a staple event in Queenstown, NZ, at the start of each summer. The brain child of Amy Freedman-Davis, she wanted to create a cool way to kick off the riding season while helping out the local mountain bike club. Originally taking place at Atlas Beer Café for the first few years, the past three events have been held at the Wynyard Bike Park, the home-town haunt for all the local shredders. The proceeds from the raffles and food continue to benefit Queenstown Mountain Bike Club (QTMBC), so it’s not just a great party, it's a proper gathering and community event.

by Zach Faulkner

Rain, Sun, Beer, Food, and Friends; The Atlas SOS party delivered once again!

This year the weather did its best to dampen spirits, but the stoke was high, and the riders and crowd powered through the wet, holding on for a fantastic afternoon of shredding, live music, great food and drink, topped off with great heckling on the mic. A fine example of a mountain bike scene which is thriving and full of passionate people, the Atlas SOS party has become a must-attend event at the start of every summer - especially because you might win a brand new bike in the raffle!

The Atlas SOS party got off to a rainy start, but the fat droplets were little deterrent and the riders got the fun alive as they warmed up for the jump jam a little later.

It was looking grim about and hour into the event.

The grills were hissing as the drops fell from the sky.

With tacos on the menu from Atlas, the spectators and riders alike were appeased and reminded that a little rain does the soul some good.

A full range of brew on tap and friendly bartenders were a strong component in keeping the audience smiling and the rain at bay... in spirit at least.

When you are hanging out with friends in the rain, food and drink go a long way to keeping times light-hearted.

The precipitation varied and at times made all in attendance question their commitment to hanging out.

The bikes got streadily more brown at the afternoon went on.

Jackson Pollock would have been pleased with how the equipment and riders looked at the end of the day.

Wynyard Bike Park is a pretty majesitc setting for any gathering.

Jake Hood was undeterred by the weather, taking more laps than most and enjoying every minute of it.

The prize boxes were stacked deep with a plethora of goodies ranging from vouchers and gear, to coffee and bike tools.

The card machine was running hot as raffle tickets and t-shirts made their way in the hands of the crowd.

The opening couple of hours of the event ebbed and flowed with the crowd as people sought shelter and ran home for coats, but the riding never stopped.