Wind up your Twizel Hard Labour Weekend with a Mountain Bike ride on our 44km course. Experience the grandeur of the Mackenzie Country as you travel through four iconic high country stations and take in the magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Benmore.

Challenge yourself to enjoy the 6 river crossings and 550m overall vertical climb. The well marked trail begins and ends on sealed roads but the bulk of the ride is on well maintained farm tracks over river flats, through snow tussocks, alpine vegetation, and Oregon plantation.
Suitable for 12 years and over.

  For those that get to read it, there is an excellent article with photos on the Dusky Trail in the latest copy of Wilderness magazine. The article titled "Riding the Ruataniwha" ends with the comment "what an amazing ride." Why not come and try it for yourself!

Start/Finish
The start/finish is on Ben Ohau Station.  To get there from SH8, turn west 200m south of the bridge over the Twizel River and follow Glen Lyon Road for 6km.  Do not go down the unsealed Old Glen Lyon Road.  Ben Ohau Station is on the left, the start/finish is 500m beyond the homestead over the Fraser River on the right, and visible from the road.  Portable toilets will be provided.  Shelter is limited - bring warm clothes as it can be cold, especially at the start.

Course Details

• Ride up Glen Lyon Road and over the canal bridge, and turn right onto the gravel canal road.
• Ride along the canal road for about 3km and then drop down to Rhoborough Downs Road on the left.
• Follow Rhoborough Downs Road around lake Poaka and then turn left onto State Highway 8.
• Ride about 1km along State Highway 8 before turning left onto State Highway 80.  Continue along State Highway 80 for approximately 3km to the start of the Department of Conservation's Dusky Trail Track.  This is the 12km mark.
• Climb gradually uphill for approximately 6km before crossing the Twizel River and then the Gladstone River (the Twizel ford is not bikable), before following 4WD farm tracks down the Fraser River, with two further crossings.
• From the last Fraser River crossing, ride around the west side of the Pyramid and then climb steadily to the Saddle (700m).
• From the saddle, ride downhill on 4WD farm tracks through farmland and Oregon pine forest to meet the Glen Lyon Road.
• Ride back over the canal bridge, then down Glen Lyon Road for 500m to the finish line.
• The majority of the ride is on 4WD farm tracks.  There is a small section of single track (approx 4km), approximately 4km of sealed road and approximately 8km of gravel road.
• Most of the course has good cellphone (027) coverage.

View Dusky Trail in a larger map or download course map as pdf

Event rules

• An approved cycle helmet must be worn while warming up and competing. Warm up permitted only within the marked race course and start/finish area.
• All roads are open to normal traffic. Road rules must be obeyed. Single file only on State Highways 8 and 80.
  
• It is compulsory that bikers follow the track marked for the race. The official course will be closed to non registered bikers. If you come back to ride the trail at a later date, keep to the DOC-marked tracks only.
• Competitors must carry basic repair equipment. Their bikes must be well-maintained and in an appropriate condition to safely complete the event.
• If you are forced to withdraw during the event please inform the nearest race official or race director asap.
• No iPods or other music devices to be worn during the event
• In the highly unlikely event of flooding raising river levels above safe margins, the organisers reserve the right to hold the event on an alternative course. In extreme conditions the organisers reserve the right to cancel the event.
• Everyone must show consideration to race officials, other competitors, the track and livestock. If you are seen dropping rubbish you will be disqualified.
• Cut-off time for competitors will be the bottom Fraser Crossing at 12.30 pm. At this point bikers will be directed to the short cut to the finish line.
• Please carry with you any medication you need or you think you might need.
  
• Please wear clothing appropriate to weather conditions which can range from very hot to very cold - also be prepared for windy wet conditions.
  
• Please carry enough water for the duration of the race. If you choose to drink from streams it is at your own risk.
• No private vehicles on farm land or the Dusky Trail track, however spectators are welcome to walk in on DOC marked tracks.
• Be Didymo aware. All bikes and other equipment (particularly shoes) must be clean and dry prior to the event. The Didymo trough after crossing the Twizel River is compulsory to all competitors.
  
  

Enter
Download the entry form (pdf 129kb)