![THE PROSPECTORS](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387351976/1686140072/articles/CzzwXNSRl1686201161952/THE-PROSPECTORS.jpg)
Christopher Reilly drags himself out into the brisk Kiwi morning,puts a pan of water on the fire and gets himself ready for the day. It’s1862 and he’s a little late to the Otago gold rush, but he sees what others don’t, and is confident he can get his share of the spoils. “Today’s the day!” he proclaims in a self-motivating yell. “Today’s the day all this bloody effort pays off.” The past few days of breaking trail into his newfound stashes in the Dunstan area have taken their toll, but Reilly wouldn’t have it any other way. His body hurts, but every time he strikes gold, that pain is washed away in the sluicing. There’s no better feeling than seeing results from a good day’s graft.
Reilly was a visionary, a creative who was both tough and practical. Through stubbornness and experience, he found gold in the dirt of central Otago at a time when the boom was thought to be over. He saw something different in Dunstan and kicked off an influx of others looking to get rich off the harsh terrain. He’s a prime example of what can happen when determination and imagination combine with human endeavour.
The Dunstan Trail was once an inhospitable and treacherous shortcut to the goldfields. People were met with treeless, brutal mountainsides and a scorching-hot climate, but undeterred, they forged on in search of Reilly’s riches.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Mountain Biking UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Mountain Biking UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![BIKETEST BACKCOUNTRY HARDTAILS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/zfgO5XPvU1700734506505/BIKETEST-BACKCOUNTRY-HARDTAILS.jpg)
BIKETEST BACKCOUNTRY HARDTAILS
We see whether carbon fibre or steel, big-name value or boutique attention to detail comes out on top on the trails
![NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/hi418O3IE1700734374386/NUKEPROOF-MEGAWATT-CARBON-297-RS.jpg)
NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS
The original Megawatt proved itself almost instantly, winning our inaugural E-Bike of the Year award in 2022.
![CALIBRE LINE T3 29](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/15fZjj80n1700733296359/CALIBRE-LINE-T3-29.jpg)
CALIBRE LINE T3 29
£1,100 (with £5 GO Outdoors card) Cost-effective proper' mountain bike
![FIRST RIDES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/pD7FL29gK1700733158464/FIRST-RIDES.jpg)
FIRST RIDES
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
![ROUTES QUICK BLASTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/hemXyezjm1700732986986/ROUTES-QUICK-BLASTS.jpg)
ROUTES QUICK BLASTS
Facing shorter days and inclement weather, Max finds three satisfying routes that show it doesn't have to be an all-day ride or nothing
![GRIME TIME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/SJeaamCH31700732752798/GRIME-TIME.jpg)
GRIME TIME
EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
![TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/7fAWdejNV1700732446826/TRAILCREW-HAVOK-BIKEPARK.jpg)
TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK
A hand-cut, rider-built bike park, Havok reopened earlier this year at a new site in West Yorkshire and is still expanding
![From dust it did rise](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/0tJqlXZGS1700731999574/FROM-DUST-IT-DID-RISE.jpg)
From dust it did rise
Steve Thomas traces the birth of British mountain biking, from 'tracker bikes' to Muddy Fox
![THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/9543BUrwo1700731370205/THROW-DOWN-THE-CAUNTLET.jpg)
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET
In our final challenge of the series, we see if e-bikes really are as good at climbing as they're cracked up to be, as we tackle Antur Stiniog back to front
![THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5214/1514822/781e1jTp51700730910962/THE-RIDER-OFF-YEAR-23.jpg)
THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23
THE BIG REVEAL! You voted in your thousands - now meet our winners...