Forrest GrapeRide
The award winning Forrest GrapeRide is the largest and most popular cycling event in the South Island of New Zealand.
Set in the heart of the world renowned wine growing region of Marlborough, it starts and finishes at the award winning winery of Forrest Wines, Renwick.
The standard 101km course is a ride through what can only be described as a picture postcard of some of New Zealand's most beautiful scenery. Many believe it to be the nicest 100 plus kilometre course in the world with almost 40km winding through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. New for 2016 is the 'Doctors Rest Clinic' which is stopping at the half way mark at Momorangi Bay.
There is the shorter 42km 'Taster' course right up to the 202km 'Magnum' to choose from with multiple innovative categories within those distances.
Once riders have completed their ride of choice, it is a case of sitting back and enjoying watching the 100 grape crushing virgins do their stomping of 3 tonne of pinot noir grapes in the huge oat vat or simply sample the various food and wine options as the event builds up to the final prize giving ceremony. This event has a real focus on fun, fitness, friends and family.
505km - The Ultimate: 1 April 1.45/2pm
202km - High 5 Magnum: 2 April 5.45am / 6.00am
202km - Tandem Riders 2 April 5.45am / 6.00am
101km - Ricoh Speed Bunnies: 2 April 8.05am / 8.15am
101km - All UCI and recreational riders 8.15 / onward
42km -Nissan Taster Course: 2 April 9.15am approx / 9.30am
The Forrest Graperide has achieved status as a qualifying event for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship. This means the event will continue as the same enjoyable cycling challenge as always but with more opportunities for you as a rider.
Commencing with the 2016 event, you'll be able to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship in Perth, Australia by placing in the top 25% of your age group in the Forrest Graperide.
Age grades for the UCI event are:
19-34,
35-39,
40-44,
45-49,
50-54,
55-59,
60-64,
65+.
Don't worry, we'll still have the extra age groups above 65+ for the Forrest Graperide and if enough of you enter the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship then they assure us they'll extend the age grades. If you miss the top 25% don't despair, if someone above you turns down their place in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship the next rider on the list gets an invitation to compete. Just one more reason for you to join us for number twelve, the final bottle in the first case, Forrest Graperide 2016.
