Meet Daniel White: From motocross to mountain biking, and everything in between.
Daniel White didn’t just stumble into mountain biking, it’s like he was destined for two wheels. From tearing up motocross tracks as a kid to building dirt jumps on his family farm, bikes have always been in his blood. And now? Daniel’s shredding the trails of Bike Glendhu and turning heads as an ambassador for Zerode Bikes.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Daniel’s mountain biking story officially kicked off in 2017 when he was 16. But the seeds were planted long before that. “I started with motocross as a kid and spent hours building dirt jumps on the farm,” he shares. His first gig out of high school, helping build the new BMX track in Rotorua, was the turning point. Living in Rotorua, surrounded by world-class trails, opened the door to the MTB world, and Daniel dove in headfirst.
MTB = LIFE
For Daniel, mountain biking isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life. “MTB is basically my personality,” he laughs. The community is a huge part of the draw. “The amount of awesome people I’ve met through the sport is crazy. Most of them are amazing, like-minded people.”
And when it comes to heroes? Daniel’s got nothing but admiration for Charlie Murray. “He’s not only an epic, powerful rider but an awesome guy too,” Daniel says.
TECH, JUMPS, AND THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Daniel’s riding style is all about balance. “I love riding the tech stuff that shouldn’t be rideable, it’s such a fun challenge,” he says. “But I still love jumps and berms from my dirt jump background.”
Basically, if it’s gnarly, flowy, or just plain fun, Daniel’s there for it.
ZERODE BIKES & THE KATIPO LOVE
As a proud ambassador for Zerode Bikes, Daniel is all about his Katipo. What makes it special? “Having a gearbox and a belt instead of a chain means the gears always work perfectly and never wear out,” he says. It’s the kind of bike that’s built for the long haul, and for taking on the toughest trails.
PRO TIPS FOR NEW RIDERS
If you’re new to mountain biking, Daniel has some solid advice: “Go check out Bike Glendhu. The range of progression in trails is amazing. Start on the grade 3 trails, build your confidence, and work your way up to the harder tracks.” Sounds like a solid plan to us.
VELO SNACKS AND TRAIL TRICKS
When Daniel’s not shredding, you’ll probably find him at Velo Café with a plate of hot chips or nachos. “I’m pretty stoked on hot chips this season,” he says.
As for tricks? He’s a sucker for a backflip. “I actually learned them before I could drive, so they come pretty naturally now,” he says casually, as if flipping upside down on a bike is no big deal.
FAVOURITE TRAIL AT BIKE GLENDHU
