The 2018 route for The Pioneer is tracing a completely
different course across the topography of New Zealand’s
South Island. The original 550km route followed a
course from Christchurch to Queenstown, taking riders
seven days, and pitching them against 15,500m of
climbing in the Southern Alps.The original route was intense. With rugged trails, steep
climbs, wild descents that lasted 20 minutes, and race
camps with million dollar views – it really was a special
experience.The Pioneer event team have encouraged riders to ‘ride
beyond’ in the first years, with the promise that you
would find character, find welcome and find stunning.
The pairs race pitted riders against some challenges in
the beautiful South Island which could equally test and
consolidate friendships and the love for the sport. There
is no question, the race was very hard. And travelling
point-to-point each day added to the difficulty that the
terrain created, so for 2018 the race organisers wanted
to take stock, review their options, and plan a route that
would be more sustainable, take in a little more high-
quality singletrack, and still be no walk in the park.WORDS: MIKE BLEWITT
IMAGES: TIM BARDSLEY-SMITHA
PIONEER’S
NEW PATH