Pioneer Stage Seven - no gifts

Snow Farm to Queenstown

Distance: 59km (actually it was 69km)

Elevation: 1451m

All photos by Tim Bardsley-Smith

The final day of a stage race can be met in a variety of ways. It might be regret, that the party is almost over. It might be with fatigued relief, and an understanding that you're almost able to stop. but having raced The Pioneer last year, I know the last stage requires some thought and preparation. It's no parade. There are no gifts from the race organisers.

Some stage races I have done have an easier final day. The last day of the Crocodile Trophy is (mostly) downhill, and finishes on the beach at Port Douglas. Transalp's final stage is usually short and sweet, and up and a down and a finish on the shores of Lake Garda, or nearby. But while a glance at the profile of Stage 7 of The Pioneer seems to be all downhill, the reality on the trail is something entirely different.

This is one of the most challenging stages.

On the trail

With clear skies we rolled out from the tyre testing trails and XC ski routes at Snow Farm. The smooth trails became rocky, the drops off the sides became longer, and the rock fall moved from fist sized, to baby head, to microwave size.

Riders dropped back with flat tyres, bent chain rings, fatigue or caution.

With a valley descent along a trail that was barely there, many opted to calm TFD and make it to the end in one piece. For many, they felt it wasn't a trail to race along.

In time, we ended up back on old farm roads and old trail gradings, picking lines down the valley, until it was time to climb out and view the river where we were headed.

A long, awesome descent to the river took us to a true stage race novelty – a jetboat transfer!

With timing mats on each side of the river, it was a neutral section. Sort of like the 5 minutes in the Highland Fling, but far more scenic. And with a jet boat ride.

The final 30km was on the Queenstown trail. At times a low grade singletrack carved above the river, at other times a gravel boulevarde. We pushed on, and when the finish line was in sight it was an overwhelming sense of relief.

Some stage races fill part of your day and allow a lot of time for socialising. Some take you over mountain ranges, some lead you through the desert. But The Pioneer takes you through the wilderness of New Zealand's Southern Alps. It's the great nothing of the South Island at times. It makes you look deep inside you in the tough times, and encourages you to look beyond your own needs to that of your team mate at others.

No one who crossed the finish line today did so without relief. The Pioneer is hard. It's an immense physical challenge, and the feeling of relief, of satisfaction, and personal achievement is hard to explain.

If you want to look inside and see what you're capable, consider racing The Pioneer. It's a true test of your mountain biking and physical capabilites. And while on the bike you will hurt, off the bike you will have the time of your life.

Want to see the day's results? You can find them online.