Rider Support

As a guide for everything you need to know for event-week, check out a low resolution copy of the 2019 Ride Guide here. This will be updated for 2021 approx. 2 weeks prior to the event.

All riders must register as a team in Rotorua, on Saturday 17 April, between 9.00am – 3.00pm. Here you must have your bike, helmet and mandatory gear checked, and will receive your race packs.

Please ensure you bring along Photo ID to registration.

The Pioneer Race Village will contain everything you need post ride each day within easy reach. It will offer full service facilities for you and your bike so you can quickly recover each day before relaxing and socialising with fellow riders.

On arrival you will receive your recovery bag, be able to access bike mechanic services, bike wash and secure storage (plus medical services should you need them!). After you have collected your gear bag you will be able to easily locate your tent in Marmot Tent City and set yourself up for the night. Showers and plenty of toilets will be available for your basic needs. Once you are refreshed you will be able to make use of the social lounge, where you can sit back and relax with mates and other riders to reflect on the days ride and share your experiences. You can also get a massage (must be pre-booked), check the race results, find out any info you need to know and charge all your electronic devices. Dinner & daily awards will be held at the same time each day.

DINING HALL

All meals provided will be served in the Race Village dining hall. As riders cross the finish line they will be given a recovery bag. No formal lunch will be provided, however you will be able to visit the local town or take advantage of the food vendors in the Race Village. 

Race Village Food Vendors

Each race village will provide a different local experience as we traverse the Central North Island, and the locals are very excited to welcome us to their towns.

As they are small communities with limited outlets, we have organised some fantastic food vendors to be on-site at the race village to ensure you are well feed. 

Additional sports nutrition products from PURE will also be available to purchase.

Please ensure you have cash or NZ EFTPOS with you to purchase from these vendors.

Bike wash and storage

No need to worry about keeping your bike clean! You must wash it down at the end of each day in the designated Bike Wash area. 

You can then place your clean bike in a bike park, monitored by security overnight. Riders only are allowed into the bike park, and are responsible for collecting their own bike should maintenance or repair work be required.

The bike park is not covered, therefore bikes are not protected from the rain.

Massage

A team of qualified masseuses will be on-site at The Pioneer Race Village. The Massage package includes 1 x 25 minute massage appointment each day and must have been pre-purchased.

Two packages are available to pre-purchase:

- 5 day package (from Sunday 17 April to Thursday 22 April)
- 6 day package (from Sunday 17 April to Friday 23 April)

Riders who have pre-purchased a massage add-on package must book a time slot each day. This booking can be done either at the Info Desk in the Social Zone before the race starts, or at the massage tent within the social zone once you have completed the stage. We strongly advise you to choose a time that is within an hour of crossing the finish line to ensure there are enough slots available for the later riders.

Laundry

The laundry package includes a large sized washing bag and two services where we collect your laundry at the Pioneer Race Village and return it back to you clean the next evening. For an effective wash for everyone, please only fill 2/3 of your laundry bag.

2 x laundry drops available:
- Drop off at the Race Village (location TBC) info desk on Monday 18 April by 6pm. Pick up the following day after 6pm.
- Drop off at the Race Village (location TBC) info desk on Wednesday 20 April by 6pm. Pick up the following day after 6pm.

Wifi/Internet

As much of the Pioneer course takes you through quite remote parts of NZ there will be times when you will not have access to WIFI and therefore internet services. In some extreme circumstances there will be NO PHONE OR DATA COVERAGE at all. 

International competitors should consider purchasing a local NZ Sim Card to get 3G data. These can be purchased from SPARK (formerly Telecom) or VODAFONE stores as outlined below.

For SPARK/Telecom users, here is a link to use to test your phone compatibility.

Course Cut-off Times

TBC following the course launch later in 2020

Please note: all course cut-off times are subject to change due to weather or any other reason at the discretion of the event.

Check Points

Checkpoints are located at each aid station, during which rider separation rules will be enforced. Teams must be recorded while passing the checkpoints, failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Water, sports nutrition and food (such as fruit, cookies, pretzels and muesli bars) will be available at each checkpoint.  These points will also provide the opportunity for riders to receive medical attention & mechanical support for ‘running repairs’.  Check points also serve as course control, safety and race rule enforcement points and you must comply with any instructions at these points.

Aid Stations

There will be up to three aid stations (which will also be checkpoints) on each stage. We recommend you bring your own supplies to compliment what is offered at the Aid Stations. 

Aid Stations will provide:

• Water (note that while there will be sufficient water for athletes to re-hydrate and fill bottles, we are in remote mountain environments and will be trucking all water into aid stations, therefore we will not be allowing any water usage for non-essential needs)
• Fruit
• Cake
• Pretzels
• Lollies
• Basic mechanical support/bike repair
• Full first aid box
• Radio access to Ambulances
• Cold boiled potatoes with salt flakes
• Vegemite sandwiches
• PURE electrolyte

Mechanical Support

There will be technical assistance for ‘running repairs’ at check points along the course, and an extensive repair service available at the race village each day. Due to the remote nature of the course, the mechanical team will be bringing everything they need to keep you riding!

Should you need to purchase any supplies while in Rotorua, before the race begins, click here for a list of bike stores you could visit. 

Riders will be required to pay for spare parts (Pricing list). A list of services will be available closer to the event. 

Medical Support

We have a range of expert medical services throughout the course and at the finish line. A qualified doctor will either be out on course or in the Race Village throughout the race week. There will be basic First Aid available at each Aid Station. If you require medical assistance or come across an accident please make your way to the nearest aid station or check point and report the accident.

Accident Response

Given the number of competitors on course relative to the number of support crew, and the nature of the terrain you are riding over, it is likely that in an accident or emergency you as a fellow competitor may reach that person before the support crews do. If so, you should proceed as follows:

1. First On Scene: If you are the first on the scene please stop and assist the injured/distressed competitor & gather as much information as
possible.
2. Next on Scene: Talk to first on scene then proceed to the nearest radio (Aid Station / Medic / 4WD / Tail End Charlie / some Marshalls) to
report the situation (even if that means returning the way you came) so we can get expert help on the scene ASAP.
3. Others on Scene: Stop to see if any assistance can be offered and proceed if not required.

Team CP have created a generic training program that is specifically designed to get you ready for The Pioneer. 

For a more personalised program, please contact Richard at Team CP. 

Download: Pioneer 2019 Training Program

Securing a sponsor is a great way to help fund part, or all, of your Pioneer entry fee and associated costs.  We hope these tips are useful if you are endeavoring to find support!!

Don’t forget that all sponsors want a positive association and exposure for their brand. Their brand is their business.

Selecting a Sponsor to approach:

• Identify your team’s point of difference, or outstanding attributes, and work out how that can be used to a sponsor’s advantage when aligning with a specific brand.

• The type of sponsor doesn’t need to only be MTB related – think outside the square;
  • Insurance companies
  • Health products
  • Apparel providers
  • Community business from the region you are biking through
  • Tourism operations
  • Regional Tourist Office from your local town – great to have them represented
  • Local Bike shop
  • What about your boss?

• Think about what you can offer the sponsor as profile for their support of you.
  
  
• What can the connection with the event offer the sponsor from a profile perspective?
  • There is an international field taking part (we can provide stats);
  • An internationally recognised destination;
  • There will be lots of Media generated locally and internationally, including a one hour TV show that will air domestically and internationally. 
  • This will be on the International stage annually

Tips to make your team stand out:

• Establish a team name that is catchy and reflects who you are, or who your sponsor is
• Find out some interesting facts about each team member that can be used to create publicity including things like; past race history, who is the newbie, unusual career paths, physical challenges, etc.
• Research any interesting links between your team members and the sponsor brand
• Tie in with the local community. If going for a smaller home grown sponsor – find out about the local town or city
• Identify your team goals and what you hope to achieve
• Set up a social media platform (typically Facebook) or a blog

 How to present yourself – make it informative but keep it brief!

• Write a brief synopsis of the team, who you are, why you are competing, and what your goals are. Keep it super punchy and factual.
• Write bios for each team member including; name, age, location, race history, interesting facts, a personal anecdote and any unique information.
• Write some current news about your team and what your team is doing i.e.: fundraising efforts, training adventures, working with youth (some teams have developed very strong relationships with local schools which helps get the story out and is very positive for the community), speaking engagements.
• Present your portfolio in a concise and easy to read manner. Don’t use unusual fonts, embedded pictures or lots of artwork.