Yesterday morning about 100 mountainbikers went on a special ride in honour of the man affectionately known as Dodzy before about 69 met in town and rode to the Redwoods. There they created a guard of honour along the dirt roadway to the sails.
Loud revving could be heard and lots of smoke seen as about a dozen friends of Mr Dodds rode up Long Mile Rd on motocross bikes and up the track to the sails ahead of the hearse carrying Mr Dodds' body.
Long-time friend Gaz Sullivan said Mr Dodds' life was one well lived.
Mr Sullivan spoke of how happy Mr Dodds was all the time.
"Over the years I don't think I ever interacted with Dodzy when he wasn't happy."
Mr Sullivan said Mr Dodds was a smart guy as he had worked out a way to turn what he loved - mountainbiking - into a living.
Through the skills clinics Mr Dodds ran with his partner, Gabrielle Molloy, he had made an impact on the lives of more than 5000 mountainbikers.
Another friend, Lester Perry, spoke of how much he was going to miss Mr Dodds.
"Every time you spent time with Dodzy you wanted to spend more."
Although some might say Mr Dodds was the "Possum Bourne" of mountainbiking, Mr Perry said his friend was the "James Dodds of mountainbiking as there was no one else like him".
"He may not have won the world champs but if his life was a race he had won it," Mr Perry said. Although Mr Dodds was younger than him, Mr Perry had looked up to him for his drive and motivation.
Justin Leov said Mr Dodds had touched so many people's lives in so many ways.
"Your legend will ride on with us ... I looked up to Dodzy. When he spoke you listened," Mr Leov said.
"Thank you Dodzy. I've learned more about life from you than anyone."
Mark, aka Budgie, Woods spoke of one occasion when he told Mr Dodds he wanted to go for a night-time mountainbike ride followed by some beers in the car park.
Mr Dodds obliged and arranged the ride with Mr Woods and other friends.
However, when they arrived back at the carpark for a couple of drinks all that was there was a chilly bin with no ice and five mismatched beers.
Mr Dodds told Mr Woods he had a "back up" before pulling out a box of "dirty warm Woodstocks".
"We all had our half a beer and went home," Mr Woods said.
Mr Woods spoke of Mr Dodds' love of the word "sick".
Mr Dodds' little sister Lily described her big brother as an "all-round absolute superstar".
"I will always look up to him. He was well and truly my role model."
Mr Dodds' brother Charles spoke of his brother's energy and his love of hunting.
Charles Dodds spoke of the common sight of animal carcasses on the ground at their home, goat heads on the roof and animal skins in the garage and then the sight of "greasy bike parts" everywhere when Mr Dodds took up mountain biking.
Charles recalled his brother suffering third-degree burns to his leg while hunting rabbits when he got caught in some burned rubbish which still had hot ashes.
Ms Molloy said Mr Dodds had been her "night and day" and her everything.
"I do know that I will never be alone. I can feel you beating inside my heart ... I will walk strong in the light of your love. I love you Dodzy."
The friend Mr Dodds was hunting with last week when he was shot, Henry Worsp, was at his funeral yesterday and appeared visibly distressed.