Matt Fairbrother, the 19-year-old Kiwi phenom, has cemented his reputation for pushing the boundaries of endurance mountain biking with his latest endeavor—the six-day NZ MTB Rally. Tackling 27 downhill stages spread across New Zealand’s Nelson Tasman region, Fairbrother chose to do it differently: completely self-supported. No shuttles, no helicopters, no crew—just him, his bike and a relentless determination.
A vision
Fairbrother’s decision to ride unsupported wasn’t just about adding difficulty—it was about proving what’s possible. While others enjoyed the luxury of helicopter rides and shuttle vans, Fairbrother pedaled every mile between stages. He even kayaked for six hours across a stormy Tasman Sea, battling fears of the open ocean to stay true to his self-imposed challenge.
“Whenever I think of an idea that scares me, I have to do it,” Fairbrother explains. “I don’t let myself back out of anything unless it’s for a strategic reason.”
Day one
The rally began with a brutal realization: this was going to be harder than even Fairbrother anticipated. After burning through his energy reserves early, he found himself battling cramping legs and mental fatigue. Still, he powered on, fueled by a stubborn refusal to quit.
Each night brought its own challenges—resting under the stars, managing food and water on the fly, and maintaining a clear head despite the exhaustion.
Nature’s highs and lows
From breathtaking ridgelines to dense jungle trails, the rally showcased some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes. Yet, the journey wasn’t all scenic bliss. Fairbrother faced landslides, relentless climbs and unexpected hurdles like a literal rat bite, which he describes with humor: “Weirdly, it woke me up. I carried on happily after that.”
A defining moment
Perhaps the most harrowing section came during the overnight kayak crossing. Alone in the dark, surrounded by endless water, Fairbrother’s fear crept in. Just as doubt began to take hold, a pod of dolphins appeared, swimming beside him as if to offer reassurance. “It was surreal—like they were telling me I’d be okay.”
Why?
Fairbrother’s motivations are deeply personal. “I want to see what I’m capable of,” he says. “I’m not a prodigy; I just put in the work and let determination drive me.”
By the rally’s end, Fairbrother had logged over 110 kilometers daily, climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest twice, and completed all 27 stages—all…
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