Ride the Rakaia

Saturday 26th October 2024

2024 will again see the start of the race at the Mead Community Hall 1km up from State Highway One and the race will be 93km.

You will ride up the North Bank of the Rakaia River, across the Rakaia Gorge Bridges and back down the South side of the Rakaia River, finishing in Rakaia outside the Rakaia Domain.

Great Race, Great Day Out!
Join the exhilarating ride along the picturesque Rakaia River, starting at Mead Hall, 1km away from State Highway One. This event takes you through vast dairy farms on the North Bank, towards the Rakaia Gorge, where you'll traverse over 100-year-old historic bridges.

As you climb towards Mt Hutt Station, you'll catch a glimpse of the towering Mt Hutt, watching over you as you pedal by. The final leg of the journey is a thrilling descent from Mt Hutt Station towards Rakaia Township, passing through some of New Zealand's biggest and highest-yielding crop farms.

The fast finish outside the Rakaia Domain promises an exciting sprint for every cyclist. Prize giving will take place at Salmon Tales Cafe, a fitting venue as you'll have accomplished what salmon cannot - traversing up and down the Rakaia River in a day.

Many riders will complete the 93km ride in less than three hours, and the prize giving ceremony will commence approximately 30 minutes after the last competitor finishes, around 2:00 pm. Don't forget to check our Apparel Tab for cycling tops that can be purchased, available in various sizes.

Check out our Clydesdale section for men and women, this is for men 100kgs and women 75kgs plus.

Race packs will be at the Mead Community Hall on race day between 6.30am and 7.30am.

"Let’s do what the salmon can’t do, ride up, across and then back down the river all in one day".