Words: Lester Perry
Images: Jeremy Hooper, Cam Mackenzie, Haimona Ngata

Well before “gravel” was a category the bike industry considered a thing, when the nearest thing to a modern gravel bike was either a cyclocross bike or a road bike with the largest tyres possible, Raglan (Whaingaroa) was already on the map as a destination for cyclists. Thanks to some savvy townsfolk looking to bring people into town during their winter off-season, the Karioi Classic event drew riders from around the country, not only to do a loop of the maunga, but to experience the hospitality of the surfside town.

In 2009, a hardy group of riders gathered for the first event, a completely grassroots affair where riders took on the loop on every bike imaginable. From those early days, the event grew from strength to strength, surviving through Covid delays, funding challenges and growing road management headaches, until its most recent running, “the final dance,” four years ago, which drew a huge field from around the country to celebrate the event’s send-off.

Now, four years later, with the support of the local volunteer community and the backing of Whaingaroa-Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO) and local sponsors, the event is being resurrected and riders will once again challenge themselves on the premium west coast gravel roads that loop Mt Karioi.

The event retains its eco-conscious ethos, reducing waste and considering its environmental impact across all areas, everything is considered, right down to the flax ties used to secure number plates. The low-key, friendly, small-town vibe that Raglan is known for is evident throughout the event as well.

These days, event costs have skyrocketed, but thanks to a small army of volunteers and sponsors, entry fees are kept at an affordable level. The long course is $120 and the short course is $80. Keen to preserve the original challenge and feel of the event, organisers aren’t allowing e-bikes for this year’s event, and riders must finish under their own steam.

Two clearly marked course options are on the cards for 2025: the short course at 58km (1500m elevation gain) or the long course at 85km (2400m elevation gain). After the start flag drops, participants will ride out of town on the road through a 3km neutral zone, crossing the Wainui Rd bridge. They’ll then turn left onto Opotoru Rd and proceed across the new Rangitahi Bridge and up through the Rangitahi subdivision.

The fun begins when the tar-seal stops, as riders reach the top end of the subdivision and head onto a private gravel farm road for a stint before a slight climb to an intersection. Here they’ll rejoin the old course at the top of the original climb past the refuse centre, a much friendlier way to begin the ride!

From here, the course rolls through an eclectic mix of farmland and pockets of native bush, and in classic fashion for this region, there’s hardly a flat section of road to be seen. Roughly 17km from the start, riders pass through Te Mata, where the long course continues ahead to an extra southern loop, adding 27km and 900m of vertical climbing, then skirting Aotea Harbour before returning north to rejoin the shorter loop.

For short course riders, or long course riders returning from the southern loop, a turn off the seal just near Te Mata kicks them straight toward Ruapuke, but not before tackling a couple of gritty climbs. With Ruapuke on the left, riders take on the meat and potatoes. Any hopes of an easy spin to the finish are dashed, and there’s continual rolling terrain around the Whaanga coast. The road hugs the coast atop cliffs and steep slopes down to the rocks and rolling swells beneath. For those racing at the front, they’ll miss the views in a quest for speed, while more leisurely riders won’t miss the expansive vistas north and south down the wild coast.

Cresting the final major climb at the Te Toto Gorge lookout, there’s just 13km remaining on the return to Raglan. Riders in need of a break would be remiss to blow straight past the lookout; it’s well worth a look and is a must-do for visitors. Save for a couple of stingers towards town, most of the climbing is now done, and it’s almost plain sailing home.

The course is challenging but achievable for those with a reasonable level of fitness, and anyone taking part will be left with memories to last a lifetime. The finish line vibes are high, and there’s a buzz not usually felt in Raglan over winter. From the finish line, it’s just a short walk over the foot bridge to town for a hot meal and refreshments.

Looking back over previous results, we find some household names have completed the event alongside many enthusiastic locals. The likes of current MTB pros Sammie Maxwell and Sam Gaze, as well as countless other local elite riders from both MTB and road disciplines. For 2025, no doubt we’ll see a host of younger, more gravel-focused racers in the group, as well as local first-timers looking to simply complete a challenge.

Entries are open now for the Karioi Classic, 27th July 2025.