Cycleways is celebrating the hands that shape our trails - Dig Ōtautahi Trust, a crew of volunteers keeping Christchurch’s hand-built trails sharp.
While some might be gearing up to spend some coin this Black Friday, we’re keen to spend some time highlighting the epic trails we ride here in Christchurch and the dedicated people who build them.
Just a short distance from the Cycleways store, a crew of passionate volunteers have quietly spent the last two decades shaping, maintaining and hand-building some of Christchurch’s most beloved MTB tracks. They’re called Dig Ōtautahi Trust (DOT) and if you’ve ridden the Taramea Loop, Full Monty and Elevator, you’ve experienced their mahi.
We sat down with DOT members Gray Rathgen and Murray Madgwick to chat about what keeps them going, DOT’s challenges and how fellow riders (like you!) can help the Trust.
Building with purpose
First off, let’s remember that the DOT crew aren’t contractors, council or employed in any capacity to build these tracks. They’re riders themselves and they are driven by a simple ethos: “If you ride there, you should dig there.”
Here’s how it all kicked off: over a decade ago, founding member Gray joined some members of the Christchurch Singletrack Club, working up the Rapaki Corridor marking out the start of the Taramea Track. From there, it never really stopped.
Over time, some of the crew who’d been involved in those early dig days went on to form DOT. A few years later, Murray joined the team, which had begun to make incredible headway, thanks in part to council ranger Nick Singleton.
These three weapons, as well as all those involved in DOT, have created what Gray calls “a broad church of riders.” From preschoolers on their first set of wheels, to analog purists, to e-bike enthusiasts - DOT builds trails that are designed for everyone.
“Not everything can be a double black, or a bridle path piece of riding,” says Gray. “We want a great experience for all skill levels.
Prioritising hand-built trails, with minimal machine involvement, every single berm is considered. “If we build to the right standard, with the right features, it will last without needing to constantly rebuild and maintain,” explains Gray. “We’re designing all-weather tracks, so that they are sustainable and rideable for years to come.”
That said, the process isn’t quick. For example, Elevator took over five years to go from first email to first ride - a testament to what patience and purpose can create. “There’s a whole process that has to go on to build a trail properly,” Gray says. “But we make it happen.”
Sign up for DOT's volunteer updates here
Meet the Retyreds
At the heart of DOT is a dedicated sub-crew known as the Retyreds, a group of mostly retiree riders who meet mid-week with tools, good humour and decades of experience. They’re a massive reason the trails stay in such great shape throughout the year, particularly during those notoriously wet Christchurch winters.
“They’re incredibly organised and productive,” says Murray.
For the Retyreds, digging isn’t a chore, it’s a culture.
But it’s not just the Retyreds that get after it on the shovels. There’s a strong weekend contingent of volunteers, with the youngest among them being just 8 years old (shout-out to Owen).
“It’s like our fight club,” Gray jokes. “What goes on up the hill, stays on the hill. Anyone is invited to come up and have a great time, just enjoy being up there. We live in paradise.”
And for a lot of folks, it’s not just about giving back to the bike community - sometimes, their reasons go even deeper.
“It’s life-saving.”
When asked why they always show up, Murray will tell you something that stops you in your tracks.
“On three separate occasions, men have engaged with me on the trails and said ‘saved my life.’ They didn’t elaborate, but you just understand - that’s something deep. It’s not even about riding a bike, it’s about that connection. Mental health and physical activity in the outdoors - that’s the motivation. You’re giving people an avenue to improve their headspace, and social health - which people don’t talk about.”
Murray explains that in the early days, mountain biking used to be a pretty solitary experience. Now, it’s not uncommon to see 12 or 15 people ride past in a sort of peloton. Mountain biking is more than recreation, it’s a community - perhaps even a sort of therapy. And for those who dig, it's a legacy.
Passing the shovel
But legacy only lasts if there’s someone to carry it on.
Right now, DOT’s biggest challenge is finding the next generation of trail builders. The DOT crew hopes to encourage a range of riders who can get involved and take the responsibility over parts of these trails.
And for those who are worried about being time-poor or overcommitting, Gray and Murray say that everyone is welcome to dig when they can. “You might only dig once or twice a year, but if everyone did that, collectively, you’d have a lot of hours on the clock,” Gray explains. “Getting groups to look after their own tracks, understand how they’re built and take ownership - that’s where really good things happen.”
Sign up for DOT's volunteer updates here
Dropping: A new skilled trail
DOT is also calling for experienced riders to help carve out a new trail in the Rapaki Corridor, which they’re hoping to have done by Christmas. Skilled riders are usually tuned in to how to shape a line and can give invaluable feedback on how it rides.
“And don’t forget, if you build a cool feature - you might even get to name it,” Gray laughs. “You could be immortal.”
Get in touch with DOT to help with the new trail
A call to riders
Not everyone realises the hours that go into maintaining these trails, from working with Council to surveying, to flagging, to organising events, to building and maintaining.
“A lot of people think the Council will send someone to fix things,” says Murray. “While the council is helpful and Nick Singleton provides amazing support, a lot of the manpower is provided by volunteers mobilised by DOT. We’re contributing labour, tools and passion.”
So next time you head out for a ride, think about how you can give back. Maybe that’s showing up to a dig day, bringing a mate along with you and helping to spread the word.
Volunteering doesn’t have to replace riding, but it should become part of it. Incorporating trail care into your riding means that the tracks you love will keep getting better, stronger and more sustainable.
There are more mountain bikers out there than ever before, but by all accounts, fewer of us are helping to build the trails we love. We can change that.
Sign up for DOT's volunteer updates here
Why we’re talking about this
Cycleways’ owner Matt says that supporting DOT is about backing good people doing good things.
“Far too often it’s people like this that are doing amazing things for our community, and they get little or no recognition. And we wanted to help shine a light on their efforts.”
From the shop window, the Cycleways crew can literally see the Taramea Loop and it’s a daily reminder of what a solid community looks like.
The ride ahead
On any given weekend, you’ll find a handful of volunteers up on the hill. You’ll also find a growing group of riders enjoying their handiwork; proof of just how much these trails matter.
As Gray puts it, “We bike on the edge of a volcano in the South Pacific. That's some destination!”
And maybe that’s the point. We all ride for the destination, but digging reminds us that the journey is built, one spade of dirt at a time.
If you want to volunteer or donate to the Dig Ōtautahi Trust, learn more about how to help here.
Want to support DOT in another way? Get in touch with DOT here.
Sign up for DOT's volunteer updates here
