Course & Race Day Info

Course vibe / overview 

Race Day Details at a Glance

Format: One long handicapped road race
 Location: North Canterbury, New Zealand
 Entry Fee:

  • Early Bird: $35 (closes three weeks before race day)
  • Standard Entry: $55

Transport Back from the Finish:

  • Optional return transport: $45
  • Must be booked no later than one week before race day

If you can help with transport, indicate in the entry form how many riders you can take back. You’ll receive a share of the $45 per rider you transport.

Community Shout-Out

Huge thanks to our sponsors and volunteers for making this race possible.

If you’ve ever stood on a windswept corner, waved cars through, and watched riders disappear into the hills — you’re basically a saint.

Terrain & tactics

This is a long, exposed, physically demanding race with serious elevation.

You should be comfortable riding in groups, confident descending, and prepared to fuel properly. Mentally, you should be okay with sustained discomfort and the idea that this race does not care how good your legs felt last week.

If that sounds intimidating — good.
That’s exactly why this race exists.

Race Day Schedule (headline times)

  • Sign‑on & Number Pick‑up: Sefton Hall (Sefton).


  • Race Briefing: On site.


  • Start: 8:30am (handicapped waves).


  • Finish & Prize giving: Right after the last riders are in, at the finish area in town.

What to bring

Road-worthy bike + helmet, two bottles, a couple of gels, and something for “Canterbury summer” (sunburn + a surprise southerly, sometimes in the same hour).

Safety (open-road racing in NZ)

We race on open roads. Obey NZ road rules at all times. Marshals guide and warn; they do not stop traffic. Ride predictably, hold your line, signal early, and give way when required. No hero moves through intersections. Save that for the sprint, where it belongs.

New Racer Quick Grader

Answer 6 quick questions (90 seconds). We’ll suggest a safe, fun starting mark for your first race. NZ spelling, common sense, and good vibes included. 👋

1) Riding lately?

How many rides most weeks?

2) Longest ride in the last month?

Choose the closest match.

3) Avg speed (last 4–5 training rides)

Self‑reported from your usual road rides.

4) Group-ride experience (drafting, holding a wheel)?

How comfy are you in a bunch?

5) Short climb (5–10 min) — what usually happens?

Honest answer helps your fun factor.

6) Bunch confidence at high speed (40+ km/h)

How do you feel when the bunch is ripping?

We may adjust on the day to keep it safe and fun.
Suggested mark: —
Developer diagnostics

This tool gives an initial suggestion. Final seeding may change after warm‑up or based on entries in your bunch. Keep left, obey road rules, and be kind in the bunch. 👍