Piopio Escape - NZ Cycling Journal

Your ride experience will take you out into the incredible New Zealand Backcountry, showcasing some of our favourite roads.

With experienced ride leaders and support staff, we’ll guide you across some of the best gravel riding New Zealand has to offer. We have spent years uncovering these routes. With carefully curated route options, we will be able to cater for riders of all abilities and confidence levels. With support staff, you can rest assured knowing we have all the supplies you need on hand in case of an emergency, mechanical or un-planned snack break. Your exclusive journey is limited to twelve guests that will be fully supported for the duration of the trip.

Your base will be Piopio; a place of dramatic picturesque landscapes and a thriving local community. The Piopio area has limestone formations, native bush, rugged hills, river valleys and rich, rolling farmland. In short this ideal location gives us a quick escape into quiet country gravel roads. This is a real hidden gem of Aotearoa with stunning landscapes only known by the local farmers.

Your weekend escape will be staffed by Liam Friary, editor of New Zealand Cycling Journal and owner of Pedal Press. Over the years, Liam’s spent countless days venturing deep into the backcountry searching for adventure. You won’t find many who can put together a better ride than him, and his extensive ride-experience means he has ridden all of the roads and knows them like the back of his hand. Our Journeys Assistant/Photographer will help to ensure everything runs a smooth as possible, whilst documenting your experience with professional photography, providing you with images to share with friends and family, and on social media after the escape.

You’ll be staying in a newly refurbished motel nestled in behind Piopio’s small town. The motel is also adjacent to a restaurant and bar, which means you’ll not only have a hearty meal after the ride but a cheeky drink too. Breakfast will be provided in the motel and ride food will be available on the road from our support vehicle.

Journeys: Piopio Escape – Inclusions:

All lodging
All food and beverages*
Expert ride leader and unique backcountry routes
Full ride support from Journeys staff on-road (1x ride leader, 1x support vehicle)
Restaurant dinners, continental breakfast, lunch and all on-road food and drink
Two custom NZ Cycling Journal CamelBak bottles
Bike wash and maintenance
Professional photography

*Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges.

Journeys: Piopio Escape – Overview:

Dates: 17 – 19 July
Location: Piopio
Days Riding: 2
Group Size: 12 (+2 staff)
Total Distance: 160km+
Terrain: Mixed (road and gravel)

Journeys: Piopio Escape – Schedule:

Friday 17 July: Arrival in afternoon or evening. Check-in and then relax with a restaurant dinner and refreshment. Meet your staff and other ride crew.

Saturday 18 July: Relaxed morning start with continental breakfast. A mixed terrain 100km/800m adventurous ride through stunning backroads. Ride snacks, lunch, hot beverages and mechanical support provided by follow car. Afternoon arrival back to motel with light refreshments served. Wash and rest-up whilst we clean down your bikes. Dinner and beverages served by the fire place in restaurant.

Sunday 19 July: Relaxed morning start with continental breakfast. A mixed terrain 60km/800m adventurous ride through stunning backroads. Ride snacks, lunch, hot beverages and mechanical support provided by follow car. Late lunch served by the fire place in the restaurant. We will have rooms available for showers and a late check-out before your late afternoon departure.