Kumar Goes Kiwi Update

The Nepalese Champ, Raj Kumar

Last week we found out that Nepalese MTB Champion, Raj Kumar, could not get his visa approved so will no longer being travelling to New Zealand to participate in competitions and the Queenstown Bike Festival.

We know how hard local mountain bikers, Amy Freedman-Davies and Jarrah Healy worked to raise funds to bring the talented, young biker to Queenstown. All of us at Atlas were sorry to hear that things didn't work out this time.

We'd like to extend a pat on the back though, to Amy and Jarrah for attempting to do something so fantastic for another member of the MTB community. Well done guys!

If you donated to the Kumar Goes Kiwi campaign Amy and Jarrah are organising refunds and are looking into other good causes to donate the funds to.

http://www.facebook.com/RajKumarGoesKiwi

Atlas helping Kumar to go Kiwi!

Best skills: Raj Kumar

Meet Raj Kumar. He's twenty years old and he's the reigning Nepalese downhill champion. He started biking at age 7 on borrowed bikes until he won his first bike in a competition!

Local Queenstown bikers Amy Freedman-Davies and Jarrah Healy met Raj late last year as they journeyed through Nepal searching for MTB trails.

Both Amy and Jarrah were blown away by his skills (the best all round mountain bike skills they'd ever seen!!) and his passion for biking. Inspired by Raj's enthusiasm they decided to begin a fund raising effort to bring the young rider to Queenstown. 

Jarrah and Amy want to raise $5,000 to bring Raj to NZ so that his riding can be further enhanced by all things Queenstown! He'll have the opportunity to compete in local competitions, take part in the Queenstown Bike Festival and learn to build and maintain bike trails. 

Here at Atlas we've been greatly impressed by Amy and Jarrah's fundraising efforts which truly are testament to the camaraderie of the mountain bike scene. And, we are really excited to be one of the local businesses sponsoring Kumar Goes Kiwi!

If you would like to help too you can make donation here:

https://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/kumargoeskiwi

Big or small we can guarantee that any donation will be very gratefully received by Amy and Jarrah. 

Atlas will also be hosting the Kumar Goes Kiwi arrival party once Raj arrives in town. They'll be prizes and fun things going on so we'll keep you posted...

'til next time!

Atlas Beer Cafe

Atlas is airbourne!

At Atlas we are always keen to find ways to engage with wider Queenstown community. As reported here on our News page, we made a donation to QTMBC this season to help fund the digging and maintenance of local bike trails.

However, earth is not our only element..! If you've raised your eyes up to the skies you may have glimpsed the Atlas wing gliding through the air with expert paraglider Tim Parkinson at the helm.

We caught up with him for a quick
Q&A:

How did you get into flying?

Saw it, tried it, loved it!! Never working in a bank again!

What's your favourite place in Queenstown to fly?

Skyline Gondola. Easy access, insane view, heaps of vertical to get upside down!

Queenstown local or Queenstown import?

Import! But after 13 years here I'm trying to fit in!

How do you like your Atlas steak cooked?

By the chef! As often as possible! (medium rare)

Emerson's Pilsner or Emerson's 1812?

On a non-flyable day, 1812.



We'll be posting more pictures from the Atlas wing so stay tuned...

Win tickets to the 2013 Winery Tour - Atlas Member's Night

It's Member's Night at Atlas tonight so grab your Atlas keyring and come on down to enter the prize draw. The Member's prize this month is super sweet. We've got a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky member for the Summer 2013 Winery Tour at Waitiri Creek, Gibbston. Fat Freddie's Drop are the headline act, supported by some fine Kiwi musicians:

www.winerytour.co.nz

As always the chefs will be whipping up some complimentary goodies for you Atlas members to enjoy!

From six pm tonight.