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.
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Course &
Long. Exposed.
Open interactive route ↗
Community
Preparation
Terrain &
Know the plan.
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Race hard.
Ready to take on
Sunday 18 October 2026
Course &
race day.
Everything you need to understand the route, prepare properly and arrive ready to race.
109
Kilometres
8:30
Race start
Open
Public roads
01
Course overview
Course vibe / overview
Long. Exposed.
Worth every kilometre.
Open interactive route ↗
Race day details at a glance
The essentials.
- Format
- One long handicapped road race
- Location
- North Canterbury, New Zealand
- Early bird
- $35 — closes three weeks before race day
- Standard entry
- $55
- Return transport
- $45 — must be booked no later than one week before race day
Can you 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
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.
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Headline times
Race day schedule
Know the plan.
Be on time.
Before start
Sign-on & number pick-up
Meet on the main road in Darfield — look for the cyclists lining up! Arrive with enough time to sign on, prepare your bike and be ready for the briefing.
On site
Race briefing
The briefing is compulsory. Listen carefully for final safety information, course notes and marshal instructions.
8:30 am
Race start
Riders are released in handicapped waves. Know your group and be ready when it is called.
After finish
Prize giving
Prize giving begins after the last riders are in, at the finish area in town.
03
What to bring
Pack like you mean it
Ready for the road.
- 01 Road-worthy bike
- 02 Approved helmet
- 03 Two bottles
- 04 A couple of gels
- 05 Canterbury-weather layers
Prepare for “Canterbury summer”: sunburn and a surprise southerly, sometimes in the same hour.
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Open-road safety
Non-negotiable
Race hard.
Ride smart.
We race on open roads. Obey New Zealand 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.
The road is waiting
