Last updated: 14 September 2026

The Kiwi Rim Ride is run in accordance with the World Ultra Cycling Association (WUCA) Self-Supported Riding Rules, with a few adaptations.

This is a brevet and not a race. It is a personal challenge against the clock and distance, not against other riders. The primary goal is simply to complete the prescribed route within a set maximum cut-off time.  To be included in the results you will need to aveage 150 km/day which results in a cut off of 24 days for the North Island, 16 days for the South Island, and 40 days for both. The South Island is timed to start 14 days after the North Island. This gives riders who average 250 km/day the ability to do both back to back if the stars align and the ferries run.

Every participant who finishes within the time limit is an equal finisher; there are no podiums, winner’s jerseys, or first-place titles. In keeping with the Transbike Adventures philosophy, there are no separate categories for men and women. There's a single finisher's roster, listing every rider's time regardless of gender.

The Kiwi Rim Ride is a self-supported ride. Self-supported rides are based on the concept of absolute self-reliance and equal opportunity. A rider must navigate the entire route under their own power without private assistance. Any services, lodging, or supplies utilized during the ride must be commercially available to all participants under identical conditions. Basically, unless you are part of a registered team, you are to do it by yourself, on your own.

  • Verification & Evidence Requirements:

    • Riders must record their positions with a GPS unit mounted on the bicycle.
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    • At each checkpoint:
      • Your Brevet Card must be notarised. NOTE: If there is nobody around (e.g. late at night) just take the GPS photo and record that for validation in your card.
      • A GPS registered photo must be taken.

    • Participants must be registered with MAProgress and use a suitable tracker to display their continuous position.

  • Daily Media Log:

    • Riders must capture at least three GPS-tagged photos per day (including the rider's face at start, mid-ride, and end) and one 10-second GPS-tagged video per day.

  • Rest:
    • Each participant must accumulate a minimum of 4 hours of rest during every 36-hour period of the brevet (this is based on the Race Across France research findings and is different to the Tour Aotearoa and other similar events).
    • Failure to take the mandatory 4 hours of rest within any rolling 36-hour block results in immediate disqualification.
    • Compliance is tracked automatically via the MAProgress tracking site.
  • Equipment:

  • Support & Assistance (Strictly Prohibited):

    • No follow vehicles, pacing, or private support crews. This includes film or any form of multi-media crews unless explicitly agreed to before the start with the organisers.

    • No private re-supplies, pre-arranged gear stashes, or lodging provided by personal contacts along the route.

    • No real-time remote coaching or external pacing advice while riding.

    • All resupply, mechanical assistance, and lodging must be obtained from public commercial businesses (e.g., standard retail stores, bike shops, hotels) open to everyone.
    • If you have a major issue you are able to use any transport required to get to hospital, the bike shop, etc. but you must return to the location where you left the route to restart.

  • Drafting:

    • Drafting behind others in the brevet, motorized vehicles or non-registered cyclists is grounds for immediate disqualification.

    • Drafting is only permitted between registered team members (if riding in a official pairs/tandem attempt).

  • Navigation & Route Integrity:

    • Riders must follow the specified route continuously.

    • If a rider leaves the official track for resupply, shelter, or mechanical fixes, they must rejoin the route at the exact same location where they departed.

What we do not police is riding in the company of other riders. Buddying up is allowed. This turns a challenging endurance ride into a shared journey where forming lasting friendships is as much a part of the experience as finishing the course.

So unlike Lost Dot and similar events, riding in pairs or groups, and sharing accommodation or resupply is fully permitted as long as you are not drafting and keeping to the spirit of self-reliance. So there will not be any "Coke" incidents like in the 2022 Transcontintal Race!