That’s what Australian Mountain Bike magazine is saying in the
the first issue of 2010...
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AMB Editor, Chris Southwood, and the team were in Rotorua, in the heartland of New Zealand’s North Island, in mid-November 2009 and were impressed by the quality of the mountain bike trails and the hospitality of the locals.
They trails were better than the rumours suggested.
“Even the hype really doesn’t do the place justice,” Southwood continues. “What the lucky folk of Rotorua have right on their doorstep is truly world leading, with trails that are mesmerising, absorbing and just plain fun.”
It wasn't just Rotorua's trails that impressed the AMB team.
"Incredibly, the riding doesn’t end there – an hour’s drive  took us to the magnificent, untouched isolation of Whirinaki Forest and to the shimmering edge of Lake Taupo’s Craters of the Moon and W2K track," adds Southwood.
"Both are world-class destinations in their own right."
Although the main purpose of the trip was to experience the trails, the AMB team also enjoyed some other features of Rotorua, that make it a world-class adventure tourist destination. 
“In a few days we crammed in jet boating, a giant swing called The Swoop, bungy-jumping, kayaking off a waterfall and, of course, the infamous Luge.” Says Southwood with a big grin. “And the hospitality we received from the local mountain bike community was incredible. They welcomed us like family.”
The AMB issue has other local connections.
The Rotorua photography is by Derek Morrison, who is back in New Zealand after a stint as AMB editor. Morrison is in partnership with Kashi Leuchs, New Zealand’s top cross-country rider of the last decade, in a new venture, the Adventure Media Group, based in Dunedin.
The cover is by Rotorua photographer, Graeme Murray, and features another local, Gary Sullivan of Nzo dirtwear, who designs top class mountain biking clothing in a barn just north of town.
AMB will be back in Rotorua in October, for the 2010 Singlespeed World Championships.
“I have to say that I’ve never really got singlespeeding,” says Southwood. “If you can have gears then why not. I mean, mountain biking is hard enough with them.”
“The thing about singlespeeders is they do know how to have a very good time,” he adds. “Maybe, it’s because they suffer so much on the bike, but having a good party afterwards is big part of it.”
Southwood also likes the attitude of singlespeeding - with top riders wearing costumes and a tattoo being the main prize for 1st man and woman across the line.
“They never take themselves too seriously and have a sense of humour that is sometimes missing from mountain bike racing,” says Southwood. “That’s why I’m getting involved in October - even though I’m a bit baffled by the concept, I’ll be back in Rotorua for the Singlespeed World Champs and I know it’ll be a hell of a good time.”
_{Photos: Derek Morrison 
Chris in action on the fern-lined trails of the Whakarewarewa Forest on Rotorua's doorstep. 
The AMB crew and friends on the W2K track that runs from Kinloch to Taupo (back, from left) Chris Southwood, Jordan Cole, Patrick Campbell, Gary Sullivan, (front, from left) Mick Ross, Cameron Wood, James Page.}