Start : Rangiora

Finish: Rangiora

Distance: 160 km

Terrain: Tarmac, Gravel, dirt, Single Track , River Bed 

Water crossings: Yes, 10 +

Gates: Yes, 4-5

Suitable for: Small to Mid-size ADV bikes, Full-size if you are Chris Birch or Harvey Throttlestop

Comments: This route was put together by a rider known as Harvey Throttlestop (not his real name), and it will test your skills and fitness like few others.

The opening section through the forests alongside the Ashley River is an absolute blast on lightweight enduro bikes, but it becomes a real challenge on larger ADV machines. The sense of achievement tho when you make it through will have you buzzing inside your helmet.

Next comes the ride up the Kowai River, another exhilarating section and a serious workout for bigger adventure bikes. From there, the route follows easy public roads until you reach MacDonald Downs Station, where a small fee grants access to a private road.

What follows is one of the highlights of the ride: a spectacular rollercoaster across the hills and mountains of MacDonald Downs, eventually dropping you onto Okuku Pass Road for the final run back to Rangiora. With stunning scenery, varied terrain, and plenty of challenges along the way, this is a ride you won't forget in a hurry.

Important:

The middle section passes through private land at MacDonald Downs. Permission is required before riding through.

To request access, contact Liz:

• Phone or text: 027 475 6008

• $15 per bike includes access permission and the gate lock code where the private road meets Okuku Pass Road.

• Please pay and sign in at the office as you pass through 

• Access may occasionally be unavailable due to farming operations.

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I have added Way Points with directions to the GPX file to stop route confusion as it passes over itself a few times.

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