New Plymouth mountain biker Wyn Masters' Wheelie Wednesdays are famous all over the world.
The best enduro riders from all over the world are in Rotorua for the Giant Toa Enduro this weekend - the final event of Crankworx Rotorua.
Among them are a couple of brothers from New Plymouth who are proven performers on the Whakarewarewa Forest trails.
This year's Giant Toa Enduro doubles as round one of the Enduro World Series (EWS), as it did in 2017. That year, brothers Wyn and Eddie Masters stood in first and third positions respectively on the podium.
Both are on professional racing teams and ride downhill and enduro events all over the world, but Wyn said Crankworx Rotorua was always a highlight.
"It's probably the biggest event of the year for Kiwi mountain bikers, it's always a good time. It's cool to see all the kids' stuff as well, I think it pretty much sells out straight away because so many want to do it.
"When I started you couldn't even get a bike that fits and now there are so many kids racing and they all come out to support when we're racing which is pretty cool."
Like many Kiwi kids, the Masters brothers grew up mucking around on bikes, but took it to the next level when they started racing.
They attended Wanganui Collegiate, which was in the same town as Sam Blenkinsop and a handful of New Zealand's top downhill riders at the time.
Wyn Masters took top honours last time Rotorua hosted a round of the Enduro World Series in 2017. Photo / Getty Images
Eddie said "racing at home" was the most exciting aspect of Crankworx Rotorua.
"New Zealand is so far from where we're used to racing so the opportunity to race at home, or near to home, is always pretty exciting and it means friends and family can come and check out what we do.
"New Zealand has so many good riders and is getting a reputation for being an awesome mountain biking destination, it's pretty cool for people to be able to come to New Zealand for a big event like Crankworx. People who come once always come back."
He said standing on the podium with Wyn in 2017 was special, but he wasn't placing too much focus on results this year as he had just returned from an ACL reconstruction.
"In saying that, last year I had two podiums [in the EWS], so I know if I can regain that form I can be a podium contender. But it's all about just putting it together on the day.
"It was definitely a highlight to both be on the podium last time and it would be great to do it again. We grew up riding bikes and now we both race professionally, so it's pretty awesome to be able to share that sort of lifestyle.
Eddie Masters racing during the Giant Toa Enduro in Rotorua in 2017. Photo / Getty Images
"We just started out like any kids really, building little jumps in the backyard, but we never really stopped. We have a little bit of banter, but if he beats me, I'd rather he beat me than anyone else and I think vice versa. I'm always stoked to see him do well and I know he's so stoked when I do well. It's even better when we both do well."
Wyn recently returned from Chile where he competed in an urban downhill race and a five-day enduro.
He was tracking well in the enduro before a mechanical on the fifth day left his bike out of action. However, not one to give up, Wyn picked the bike up and ran the rest of the way to the finish line.
"I've done an [urban downhill race] in New Zealand and a smaller one in Italy a few years ago, but nothing like the scale of the one in Chile. It was a pretty crazy experience and there were massive crowds.
"In the enduro I just had to get running and get to the finish line. I finished fifth overall in that, the goal was top five so I was happy with that."
While in Chile, he also appeared on a local television show during which he pulled a wheelie on to set. It was a familiar sight to those who follow Wyn on social media - his 'Wheelie Wednesdays' have become a global phenomenon.
"Probably about five years ago, I used to do wheelies all the time and muck around on the bike and post the videos, now it's got quite a good following. I have to do it every week pretty much."
