AIDEN’S JOURNEY FROM PIPES TO PEAKS

Victorian plumber and Lake Eildon resident, Aiden ‘Aido’ Gale, has a passion for dirt bikes and spends his spare time helping run an off-road tour company called All In Dirt Bike Adventures. Aido also creates content and tests bikes for both his own website and others around Australia, and the Aussie Adventure Bike Show that airs on Channel 7Mate.

Recently, Aiden was invited to New Zealand to film for an upcoming episode of the show which covered the iconic New Zealand Yamaha Adventure Ride – a trek open to all Yamaha riders, but exclusively attended by owners of Yamaha’s Ténéré 700.

A brainchild of former World MX Champion and Yamaha ambassador Ben Townley, in its sixth year the Ride consisted of a sensational three-day adventure in the North Island’s picturesque East Cape region. The 1100km route covered many different terrains, from slide-inducing gravel roads to slippery grass tracks, and scenery which showed why New Zealand is considered an adventure riding bucket list destination. 

Each day riders were offered the option to tackle breakout sections that were graded for difficulty between 1 and 5. The breakouts featured stunning views and technical tracks on private farm property where riding would not normally be possible, making rider’s access to them during the Yamaha NZ ADV Ride a highly-unique experience.

“We’ve got some pretty special tracks in the High Country,” claims Aido. “But the East Cape trails we rode just kept on going and the spectacular Kiwi views are unique,” he admits. 

Starting in Havelock North on the North Island, the welcome dinner included the first Kiwi sighting of the new MY25 Ténéré 700 featuring many customer feedback inspired updates. The next day’s first breakout offered eye-popping views of the South Pacific Ocean after a short climb through farmland. Riders needed to focus to balance the panoramic views with the slippery grass trails – a constant challenge that forms a major part of the event drawcard. Night one and two were spent at Gisborne on the east coast – famed for its Maori culture and lush beaches. A loop ride on day two contained four breakouts of various difficulty and yet more stunning views, while day three took the riders from Gisborne to Whakatane via the snaking gravel Motu Road.

Yamaha ambassador, Ben Townley:
“Our aim is to showcase some of what New Zealand has to offer Yamaha adventure riders. And whether it’s the epic South Island or stunning areas like the East Cape this year, we like to deliver the best possible experience. The view from day one’s first breakout section for example I rate as the most spectacular we’ve yet seen on any of the rides.”

Aido was joined by Aussie Adventure Bike Show producer Brendan Bell on a pair of Ténéré 700 World Raids, for three days of filming using drones, go-pros and hand held cameras, with the real challenge being knowing when to stop and shoot. 
“Every time we pulled the camera out, we said to each other this can’t get any better. Then we put the camera away and rode around the corner and guess what – it got better,” says Aiden. When offered a choice between riding and filming in one of the best adventure bike destinations in the world or unblocking drains, it was really a no brainer for Aido.

The Yamaha NZ Adventure Ride episode of the Aussie Adventure Bike Show is due to air in Australia on Channel 7Mate at noon on Saturday in mid-July. Look out for the seventh edition of the Yamaha New Zealand Adventure Ride in 2026 by checking www.yamaha-motor.co.nz.

Aiden ‘Aido’ Gale:
Aiden ‘Aido’ Gale is a Victorian plumber with a passion for adventure riding. When he’s not fixing pipes, he’s tearing up trails, running off-road tours with All in Dirt Bike Adventures, or creating content for the Aussie Adventure Bike Show on Channel 7Mate. A seasoned bike tester with a love for dirt, drones, and documenting epic rides, Aiden lives by his motto: follow your passion.

Ben Townley:
Former Supercross and Motorcross Champion, Ben Townley and his New Zealand-based 101 Adventures tour provider specialise in providing exhilarating dirt bike tours for anyone seeking the ultimate adventure. Powered by Yamaha dirt bikes, Ben’s tours offer an adrenaline-packed exploration of diverse terrains, catering to riders of all skill levels. You can also join the101 Adventures team for one of its demo days where you can test the latest Yamaha models and experience the cutting-edge technology firsthand. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the world of dirt bikes, 101 Adventures can provide you with the ultimate adventure.