Graham Cooper Memorial Ride honours mountain biking legacy
Marlborough Mountain Bike Club members gather at the summit of Homebrook where a memorial sign and Graham Cooper's ashes are placed. Photo: Supplied.
ALEX ROBERTON
More than 70 riders gathered at Homebrook on Taylors Pass Road on Sunday (3 May) to honour the late Graham Cooper with a memorial hill climb ride which celebrated his generosity and lasting impact on mountain biking in Marlborough.
The Graham Cooper Memorial Ride saw riders tackle a demanding climb before sharing a barbeque at the summit, a fitting reward after the ascent.
Homebrook has been in the Cooper family for 40 years, and the property has become a well-known venue for mountain biking.
The relationship with the club expanded in 2021. The catalyst came when the club needed a track for the upcoming Cycling New Zealand Schools Championships.
Club committee members Neil Sinclair and Fraser Brown met with Graham and his wife, Anne, on the property, and Graham’s enthusiasm was immediate.
When a suggested start point for the track did not begin at the summit, Graham was clear about his expectations: “If you’re building a track on my property, it has to go from the very top of the hill.”
Today, the summit marks the start of both the Homebrook downhill track and Anne’s Track.
Although the 2021 race was postponed because of COVID-19, the venue went on to host the Cycling New Zealand Schools National Championships in 2023.
Gratitude for Graham
At the nationals, Graham presented riders with their medals at prizegiving and was blown away by the scale of the event and the number of people that personally acknowledged his huge contribution to a very successful event.
Graham passed on 19 February at age 71, His son, Pete Cooper, attended Sunday’s memorial ride and said the day meant a great deal to the family.
“My relationship with mountain biking goes back to the Leov family owning Jentree, now Wildwood Estate, next door,” Pete relayed. “He got me into mountain biking a good few years back now, and that’s what led to the club’s relationship with Graham.
“It’s so nice for the mountain bike club to put on something in honour of Dad, and we’re really excited to continue seeing these tracks used for upcoming events.”
Fraser, the mountain bike club’s president, says Graham took enormous pride in sharing his land with the wider community.
“Graham was one of the world’s great people, and our club will miss him,” Fraser said. “He often mentioned to me how much he loved seeing the property being enjoyed by the public, especially the youth and the importance of them having access to the outdoors.”