May 2026

23 - 29 May 2026 - BC Bike Race - British Columbia, CANADA
While we don't list many international events on here, this is one that several Kiwis have headed overseas for in previous years. They say it is more then a race, its the best 7 days you've ever experienced on a mountainbike. It's a tour of the West Coast of Canada's beautiful state of British Columbia - the trails, the towns, the lifestyle. Epic (avg 50km/day) or Challenge (avg 30km/day) Courses are 70% singletrack. All the details are at www.bcbikerace.com

Sun 24 May 2026 - Southern Cross Cyclocross Series - Ferrymead, Christchurch
Fun event with both cyclocross and MTB categories. www.facebook.com/southerncrosscx

31 May 2026 - Highlander MTB Challenge by Whaka 100 - Rotorua
A journey you won't forget from the Whaka 100 team. The event, offering 10, 30 and 60km courses, aims to pack as much fun and flow into one event as possible without too much hard core. The perfect training event. Whether you’re a first timer or an experienced rider, their courses are packed with singletrack, surprises and scenery that will have you smiling from start to finish. www.highlandermtb.co.nz/

June 2026

Sun 14 June 2026 - Southern Cross Cyclocross Series - Bottle Lake Hills, Christchurch
Fun event with both cyclocross and MTB categories. www.facebook.com/southerncrosscx

Sun 14 June 2026 - Bridge to Bridge North - North Canterbury
15km, 30km and 60km courses, finishing in Kaiapoi just by the Bridge on Raven Quay. Bike from the Waimak River Gorge bridge to Kaiapoi along 4WD, stopbanks and forestry tracks. www.bridgetobridge.co.nz

Sat 20 June 2026 - Mid Winter Solstice 4 & 8 hour relay - Southland
Solo and team categories. www.southlandmtbclub.co.nz

Sun 28 June 2026 - Southern Cross Cyclocross Series - Kart Sport, Christchurch
Fun event with both cyclocross and MTB categories. www.facebook.com/southerncrosscx

July 2026

Sun 26 July 2026 - Southern Cross Cyclocross Series - Van Asch Farm Track, Christchurch
Fun event with both cyclocross and MTB categories. www.facebook.com/southerncrosscx

August 2026

Sun 16 August 2026 - Southern Cross Cyclocross Series - Spencer Park, Christchurch
Fun event with both cyclocross and MTB categories. www.facebook.com/southerncrosscx

September 2026

Sun 6 September 2026 - Foxton Fizzler - Foxton, Manawatu
A 5-hour relay race held at Foxton MTB Trails @ Target Reserve. The trails are sand based and the forest creates a micro-climate that is warmer, sheltered and dry, so there's no need to worry about the weather. This is a fun (slightly competitive) event with plenty of spot prizes and awesome trophies for class winners. E-Bikes are welcome. Costumes are encouraged - there are even prizes for the best dressed. https://mmbc.co.nz/event/foxton-fizzler/

October 2026

23-25 October 2026 (Labour Weekend) - Whaka 100 MTB Marathon - Rotorua
The Southern Hemisphere's biggest MTB Marathon and festival. Courses for all to challenge themselves: 5km Kids, 10km Fun Ride, 25km, 50km, 100km and Miler (160km). Regardless of what course you decide to race one thing is guaranteed: you will be racing in one of the best mountain bike venues in New Zealand. www.whaka100.co.nz

Sat 24 October 2026 (Labour weekend) - Dusky Trail - Twizel
A 40km course in the Mackenzie Country through iconic highcountry stations with magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Benmore. Involves a few river crossings and an overall vertical climb of over just 500m. The Trail follows 4WD farm tracks and has a small section of both singletrack and gravel road. More info at: www.twizelhardlabour.org.nz

November 2026

Sat 7 November 2026 - 6 Hour Blast - McLeans Island
Usually 11km course of easy flat hardpacked gravel track at McLeans Forest Park, Christchurch. www.muddygumbootevents.com

Sun 8 November 2026 - Coastal Classic - Taieri Mouth
15 and 45km MTB courses. coastalclassic.org.nz

Sat 28 November 2026 - Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, www.cyclechallenge.com

Sat 28 November 2026 - Huka Steamer and Huka Hundy - Taupo
60km Steamer and 100km HHundy MTB event run alongside the big Taupo roadie event. www.cyclechallenge.com/huka-steamer and www.cyclechallenge.com/huka-hundy

Sat 28 November 2026 - Hanmer 6, 12 and 24 hour - Hanmer Springs
A 12.5km course that uses many of the easier less technical tracks of the Hanmer forest trail network. Heaps more info at stjamesmountainsports.co.nz

December 2026

Sat 5 December 2026 - The Tombstone MTB Race - Hanmer Springs
It's back! A great course that utilises many of the fantastic Hanmer Springs trails, including the Tombstone track. 30 and 65km options.
www.hanmerevents.co.nz

Sun 6 December 2026 - Bridge to Bridge - North Canterbury
Bike 58km from the Waimak River Gorge bridge to SH1 along 4WD, stopbanks and forestry tracks. Also a 115km Enduro option which heads up the North Bank and down the South Bank. Other options are the 30km Willows to SH1 course and a 12km recreational ride. www.bridgetobridge.co.nz

January 2027

February 2027

12-13 February 2027 - Coast to Coast, www.coasttocoast.co.nz

26-28 February 2027 - CyclingNZ XCO and XCC National Champs - Blenheim
XCO and XCC. www.mtbnationals.nz

March 2027

Sat 6 March 2027 - Motatapu, Wanaka
A 47km scenic ride from Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, to the historic and beautiful Arrowtown. This is your once a year opportunity to experience the breathtaking high country terrain and traverse the Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations. www.motatapu.com

Sat 6 March 2027 (Date TBC) - Karapoti Classic - Wellington
Based in Wellington's rugged Akatarawa Ranges, 10k north of Upper Hutt City, the Karapoti Classic is renowned as the Southern Hemisphere’s longest running mountain bike event. Established in 1986, this old-school adventure ride combines a huge but achievable challenge with historic trails, superb scenery and an awesome social scene. With options ranging from the feature 50km Classic to the 20km Challenge and the Kids' 5km Klassic, Karapoti has something for everyone. www.karapoti.co.nz

20 March 2027 - Le Race, www.lerace.co.nz

26 - 29 March 2027 = EASTER WEEKEND

April 2026

Sat 3 April 2027 - MTB Backyard Ultra - Hanmer Springs
It's back! The inaugural event in 2025 was the world's first ever MTB Backyard Ultra and it was fantastic! Taking the very popular running backyard ultra format and applying it to a MTB event. And what better location than Hanmer Springs! in 2025 it used a 10.5 km loop, with riders doing one lap every hour, starting on the hour, until there is only one rider left. How long can you go? What pace will you set? Slow and steady with minimal breaks, or a fast pace so you can put your feet up for a while before the next lap starts? There are pros and cons for each and any format can do well in these events. This event format suits all riders as it is NOT about being the fastest rider - it is all about your endurance. All you have to do is keep knocking out those hourly laps. Loads of information about how it all works, as well as the entry info etc, here... https://hanmerbackyardultra.co.nz/mtb See you there!

www.singletrack.org.nz
Christchurch Singletrack Club
Canterbury cross-country mountain bike trailbuilding and events
craig@singletrack.org.nz

Pasta Express