Taranaki Teens Beat Adults in NZ Mountain Bike Series

Dexter Lock, 16, and Scarlett Patterson, 14, just proved that age is just a number in competitive mountain biking.

The two Taranaki teens topped the podium at the Legends Mountain Bike Enduro Series held at The Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua. But their achievement goes beyond typical youth success stories.

Dexter won the overall series prize for the men's long course, non-shuttle event. Scarlett claimed the overall series prize for the women's short course, non-shuttle event. That means they didn't just beat other teenagers. They outpaced every adult rider in their respective categories across all three events in the series.

Non-shuttle events are particularly demanding. Instead of getting driven between stages, competitors must ride the entire course under their own power. Scarlett had five hours to complete five stages on the short course, while Dexter tackled eight stages in six hours on the long course.

Both teenagers clocked the fastest overall times in their categories at every single event in the three-race series. They also secured first place in their age group divisions, adding those titles to their overall championships.

The young riders train with New Plymouth Mountain Bikers under coach Andrew Patterson. Their success reflects not just individual talent but a strong competitive mountain biking culture growing in the Taranaki region.

Why This Inspires

Dexter and Scarlett's victory challenges assumptions about what young athletes can achieve. They didn't need years of adult strength or experience to win. They brought skill, determination, and the confidence to compete against riders sometimes twice their age.

Their achievement also highlights how youth sports programs can produce world-class competitors when given proper coaching and support. The fact that multiple Taranaki riders earned podium finishes at the event shows a community investing in its young athletes and seeing real results.

These two teenagers just showed New Zealand's mountain biking community that the future of the sport is already here.