The Riverlock Motu 160 offers a unique cycling challenge that encompasses mountain biking and road cycling. The course is considered the most spectacular cycling event in New Zealand. The mountain bike stage follows the historic Motu road first used by Te Kooti, which later became the only direct route between Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty.

You can enter either as an individual or a two-person team. The 65km mountain bike stage is raced together with the Motu Challenge mountain bike competitors. Multisporters then split off at Motu to complete their run, ride and paddle, while Motu 160 competitors get onto their road bikes and cycle 90km back over Traffords Hill and down Waioeka Gorge to Opotiki.

This event is ideal for Iron-athletes and a great season build up for all cycling codes. Whether you are into off-road or on-road cycling, this course will ensure you have some solid miles under your belt come race season.

Shuttle service available - get in quick if you haven't got a support crew. Click here for more information. 

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Kicking off in Elliott Street, Opotiki, this is a mass start with the multisporters and duathletes. The course follows the East Coast Scenic Highway out of Opotiki, turning right at Waiaua onto the Motu Road. The first 12km is on sealed road (State Highway 35) and the next 53km is on the winding, hilly Motu gravel road. The stage ends at the Motu School after a fast, narrow downhill.

The gravel road is one of the country’s best native bush mountain bike rides, offering many bush archways with panoramic views beyond. No service vehicles, spectators, or assistants may use the Motu Road. All race support traffic must travel to Motu via State Highway 2.

At the Motu School, change to your road bike, or hand over to a team mate, and grab some refreshments. The route follows State Highway 2 from the Motu School, taking competitors through Matawai Township on SH 2, turning right to Traffords Hill and the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve. The reserve is a popular hunting and tramping area, with numerous historic sites including two bridges looked after by the Department of Conservation at Manganuku and Tauranga Valley. There are also numerous camping opportunities and short walks. The stage continues down the Waioeka Gorge, past the multisporters’ kayak transition at Oponae. It’s a gradual downhill, with the odd rise. A headwind is likely, especially later in the day. After leaving the Waioeka Gorge, there’s 11km of open riding to Opotiki. The finish is at Opotiki Memorial Park, just like the multisporters and duathletes.