OUR TEAM.

Ben van leeuwarden - cofounder & GUIDE

Ben Van Leeuwarden was born in Auckland, New Zealand and began riding shortly after. Each weekend he and his dad (Mark) would go to Muriwai beach to ride sand dunes and motorcycle trails, this is where Ben learnt how to pilot a bike. At 15 he would lie about his age to compete in the notorious Paeroa Street Race, over the next 3 years he would continue to race New Zealand's street races. Ben then picked up an BComm degree from Victoria University in Wellington. He has ridden large tracts of the USA, Australia, India, Nepal & Tibet.

Mark van leeuwarden - cofounder

Mark was born Ashburton, New Zealand. With both his parents riding Triumph 650 Bonnies he caught the riding bug early. A former police undercover agent and detective, Mark graduated with an LL.B (Hons) degree from Canterbury University in New Zealand. He holds a practising certificate as a Barrister and has had a successful career in international fraud investigation. Mark set up a supermoto race team with his son, Ben and the pair have completed multiple motorcycle trips across The USA, Australasia , India, Nepal & Tibet.

Avikal Thakur (ABU) - cofounder & Guide

Avikal Thakur was born and raised in Himachal Pradesh, a Northern India state known as “The Land of the God’s”. Avikal was 14 when he learned to ride, his mother also started learning at the same age — she being the first woman in the district to ride a scooter. When Avikal turned 18 his parents gifted him a Royal Enfield Thunderbird, taking it mountaintops and through jungles, discovering every corner that his beautiful region had to offer. With over two years riding experience in the Indian, Nepal and Tibetan motorcycle adventure industry, Abu is the ultimate route planner, guide, teacher and road companion for the Himalayas.

GAV PEACO - cofounder

Gavin hails from Ireland and provides strategic advice on the business. Biking from the age of sixteen and having stripped down his first bike which remained in his mother's kitchen for two months… Having fallen in love with two wheels he has many trips under his belt from Everest, Europe, the US and NZ. “ I got involved with Giant Leap because when I want to adventure, it has to be the best experience with the best team, and that's what we have created.”

He attends most tours as an ambassador and is always willing to tell a few tales over a bottle of Irish Whisky, which is aways shared with friends.

Denise Graham - Admin manager

Denise, aptly nicknamed Diesel for her love of cars comes from West Auckland. Her family had so many cars on her property that their neighbours thought they were car dealers. Diesel even used her brother’s Mark 1 Jaguar as a quiet place to study for her University entrance. She manages all admin matters to make sure your entire experience with Giant Leap is top-notch.