The Forrest Estate Grape Ride

Looking ahead, Forrest Estate Graperide Marlborough is scheduled for 1 April 2006, it's no April Fools Day joke, online entries are now open so get to it to ensure you are on the start line with all those other Grape Riders. We look forward to seeing you knee deep in a vat of grapes, treading them for the 2006 Graperide vintage.

The Marlborough Grape Ride traverses a 101km circuit through some of the most stunning scenery New Zealand has to offer. From the Forrest Estate Winery stone wall which is located in the capital of the New Zealand wine industry, Renwick, it’s a flat route to Blenheim. Riders then head north and gently climb into Picton with an exhilarating descent into the centre of the town. Climbing out of Picton, the route follows the picturesque Queen Charlotte Drive around the head of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, literally a ride through nature’s photo album. The stunning scenery of Ngakuta and Momorangi Bays passes as the ride winds and twists to The Grove.

A flat ride to Linkwater leads onto Mahakipawa hill and more breathtaking scenery, followed by a descent to the outskirts of the mussel capital, Havelock. Left turn onto SH 6 and it’s homeward bound across gently rolling terrain, hopefully with the prevailing breeze at your back and home to Renwick. Off the bike and you’re in the grapes with our celebrity guests, treading grapes for processing into an exclusive Forrest Estate vintage for next year’s event.

The 2005 prize list included a $3,000 bike package, $2,500 worth of espresso coffee machines from CPR Espress, a $3,000 trip to Kuala Lumpur from Ian Welsh House of Travel, a $2500 voucher from Placemakers, 5 $200 clothing vouchers from Inview and thousands of dollars more in prizes. Nearly $4,000 was distributed to the top riders in the speed bunnies category, this included $1,000 cash each for the fastest male and fastest female. Enter solo, in a team or on your tandem - there’s even a short course for Penny Farthing riders and cancer survivors.

The 2006 event will be even bigger than 2005 with a spot prize pool exceeding $20,000 and again will include an overseas trip for two from Ian Welsh House of Travel, bikes from Giant, food supplyments from Peak Fuel, Placemaker and Inview vouchers and the list goes on.

For the Speed Bunnies both men and women will be racing for those beautiful TNL Freighting trophies along with $2500 first placing prize money again courtesy of TNL Freighting. Cash prizes will also be given right down to 5th placing in this category.This year will also see the introduction of a "King of the Mountains" sponsored by Peak Fuel.

2005 Grape Riders will be picking up their exclusive bottle of "100 Virgins" Pinot Noir from the 2005 crush at registration if entered for this years event. This tradition will be carrying on from year to year.

Categories
Individuals- Age on the day of the event
Male and Female
Juniors 13-18yrs (must have parents consent)
Open 19+
Vintage 1 35+
Vintage 2 45+
Vintage 3 55+
Classic Vintage 4 60+
Classic Vintage 5 70+
Old Clanger (New)

This section is for individuals. Bike must be 50yrs plus and single speed. There is no age or gender classification. Prize for fastest, best presented bike, and best presented rider. Should match the theme of the "Grape Ride".

Standard Team- Social and Corporate Grades (3 riders)
All team members are to ride the 101km course with the team time being taken on the last rider.
All male
All female
Mixed (minimum of one from either gender)
Relay Team-Social and Corporate Grades (2 or 3 riders)

One rider to complete each section with transitions at Picton and Havelock. If riding with only two riders one rider must complete two sections together.
All Male
All Female
Mixed (has to be one from either gender)
Tandems
One category only for tandem riders.
Penny Farthings

Event listed by graperide

View their other events or contact promoter