The Pioneer: New stage race for the NZ Southern Alps

If there’s one thing New Zealand has in spades it’s free space. And sheep, trails, wind… and absolutely astonishing terrain. On that note, a new stage race has just been launched. Tracing a route that early explorers would have taken, the 7 day route visits eight host towns and climbs 23 000m in its 568km. That’s a lot of climbing. In fact that is “steeper” than Transalp.

By design, The Pioneer will be within reach for those with a moderate level of mountain bike riding ability, but will not be for the ‘faint hearted’; it will be a tough and demanding race that will push competitors to their limits; both mentally and physically in teams of two.  It will be a full service race, with everything taken care of from the start – all riders need to think about is riding and recovering each night in the daily camps that will be set up ahead of the arrival of participants.

The Pioneer will be ‘book-ended’ with one day mass participation races in Christchurch and Queenstown that will be targeted more specifically to the more social riders, families and children and to celebrate those taking part in The Pioneer.

The Christchurch event on Sunday 31 January 2016 will be an achievable prologue event that features riding through the central city, taking in iconic sites and showcasing many new developments through to the mountain bike trails in the Port Hills and back into town. This promises to be an exciting journey through and around the city.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says this is a great event for Christchurch, allowing participants in the prologue event to see the very best of the city.

“Riders of all ages and abilities can get a flavor of what the full seven-day event, the only one of its kind in New Zealand, has to offer. I encourage the community to get out and give it a go and experience mountain biking at its best in a safe, fun and controlled environment.

“There’s plenty going on in our city, so I hope anyone visiting for this event can take some time out to relax and enjoy what’s on offer.”

Pioneer riders will then be transited to Geraldine to start day two of the seven-day epic ride through the Southern Alps. Day seven will feature a big finish and party in Queenstown, again with a mass participation ride to end an amazing week.

One of the features of The Pioneer is the setting up of a race village each night in the host towns, with riders staying in Christchurch, Geraldine, Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Hawea, Snow Farm and Queenstown. Riders will find everything in readiness for them, as they experience the legendary hospitality of the South.

Full event details are online.