It is a 106km adventure ride through some of the South Islands awesome sub alpine high country finishing in the Hanmer domain.

The RAINBOW RAGE is a 106km mountain bike ADVENTURE RIDE first held in 1996. From the start of the Rainbow Valley at the head of state highway 63, through to Hanmer. The road itself, while formed, is mostly loose metal and very rough in places.

The scenery is spectacular as the route makes its way alongside the Wairau River heading back up into the Canterbury high country. Patches of beech forest give way to sub-alpine growth leading to high country splendour as the riders approach Island Saddle. This saddle is the most significant climb of the whole ride.

From there its mainly downhill past Lake Tennyson, alongside the headwaters of the Clarence River and up Jacks Pass above Hanmer. From the top of Jacks Pass it is an exhilarating 6km downhill to the finish in the Hanmer Domain.

Being an ADVENTURE RIDE the emphasis of this event is - participation. It is rideable by most with a reasonable level of fitness. Go to  www.rainbowrage.co.nz  for more details.

Book your calendars now -

2011 - 19 March

2012 - 17 March