New Zealands wildest multi day enduro stage race. Natural singletrack in native forests on the magic Marlborough Sounds.
Sweet as bro!
we'll be back again in 2022 guys & gals
We're back: 12, 13th & 14th March 2021. Perfectly timed for visitors before heading to the North Island for Crankworx, or stay a while to enjoy everything Nelson has to offer until the EWS weekend after Crankworx.
Where: The top of the South Island, New Zealand in the beautiful Marlborough region.
This area is know for it’s spectacular scenery, great riding, wine & lots of sunshine.
​
How many people: 140 racers. Plus staff, volunteers, doctors, medics, and media.
Day one starts and ends at the beach in White’s Bay.
Then we move on to the spectacular Nydia Track, shuttling riders from and back to Rai Valley linking three bays along the Pelorus Sounds’ coastline over four timed stages for day twos’ point to point adventure.
Day three is a surprise :)
​
​
Camping:
Each days racing takes place in beautiful locations. Camping would be the best way to take advantage of this while cutting down your travel time each morning and you can continue continue socialising into the evenings.
There is a lovely (non powered) campsite on the beach at Whites Bay ($13 pp) This would be the perfect place to camp out on Thursday night before the race starts.
Rego will also be open on Thursday late arvo, so you can beat the lines and get yours done early.
Wake up on the beach, brew some coffee and have a swim in the morning before registration and another swim and a beer after the days racing.
***Please note, there are NO DOGS allowed at DOC operated camp grounds please respect this peeps :)
Then we suggest that you drive over to the Pelorus campground for Friday evening.
There is a cafe called Pelorus Bridge Cafe that serves the usual kiwi fare; chips, toasties, ice cream & flat white’s and a beautiful Lord of the Rings swimming spot on the river complete with rocks to jump off and great campsites (with power) overlooking the river and hot showers.
Of course you can choose to stay here again on Saturday night, but if you want to wake up right where the helicopter will be picking you up for Sunday’s adventure, we suggest you drive out to Pinedale Motor Camp
https://pinedalemotorcamp.kiwi
​
This is a lovely campsite situated 6km from Butchers flat where you can camp for the night (or the weekend), so you can get an extra hours sleep in on Sunday morning & pedal on over to Butcher's flat from there.
They have really cute cabins that you can book, along with powered or non power camp sites, hot showers & a big indoor communal kitchen.
See link below to book your spot.
​
These campgrounds are all awesome spots, some of them are pretty remote so be prepared and take everything that you may need with you.
Don’t forget your sandfly repellant & check with them before if you have a dog that wants to come along for the adventure.
​
If camping is not your thing: why don’t you get a few mates together and book a house on the sounds.
Check out a few of the links below if you’re wanting to rent a house for the weekend.
Just check your travel times to each days racing and try find something central.
Using Havelock as a general centre point is not too bad. Be careful you are not booking way out along one of the arms of the Sounds.
https://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/Havelock.asp
​
Motels/Hotels:
http://www.havelockmotel.co.nz
http://www.bbh.co.nz/hd357/Bluemoon-Lodge-Backpackers-in-Havelock-New-Zealand.html
http://www.havelockholidaypark.kiwi
Havelock Hotel
​
Havelock is a very quaint & pretty, but small town, and accommodation is pretty limited, so don’t wait too long before booking your spot.
​
On The Track Lodge:
On Saturday the race is held on the stunning Nydia Track and an included lunch will be provided for all the participants at On The Track Lodge.
Accommodation for friends and family is available Friday & Saturday nights. A perfect place for your partner to see both the race & this magic part of the world.
Alternatively, they can come and join you for lunch, cheer you on or give you a high five on Saturday as we have a scheduled water taxi departing Havelock 10:30am and returning at 2:30pm - contact Dean or Denise at Pelorus Sound Water Taxi's directly to reserve a spot. Contact Helen at On The Track Lodge to book a lunch if you are not a racer.
http://www.pelorussoundwatertaxis.co.nz
​
Restaurants & Coffee shops:
Havelock is the “biggest” town and sort of the centre point between the three days.
They have some lovely restaurants and coffee shops that caters to all different budgets and tastes.
The Green lipped mussels and seafood is plentiful and fresh. Make sure to check the hours of all the operations as we are still in a very small town.
Some of our fav's:
Mills Bay Mussels
Apples for Charlotte - great proper strong espresso & baked goods (10am - 4pm)
The Inlet Bakery & Cafe.
​
Four Square Grocery Store:
There is one small Four Square “grocery” store in Havelock.
You will be able to get all your basic supplies here, but don’t be expecting to find many gluten free, vegan or paleo or any other food fad type products here, so if you’re after specific foods, make sure that you stock up in either Picton, Blenheim or Nelson before you head out for the weekend.
​
Spring Creek:
Springs Junction is the closest little town (and the only town) to Whites Bay.
They have a great Four Square shop (6:30am - 7pm) that serves real coffee from a proper machine, they open early, there is a gas station, a fish & chips shop a backpackers (not sure how amazing this one is), a small hotel and a campsite.
The other options are some very top dollar boutique type hotels and lodges on some of the wineries in the surrounding area.
​
