FAQS

Applications for 2026 will open 1 June, 2025

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When it comes to assessing applicants, I'm looking for a range of attributes;

- good finishes in well known bikepacking event(s) (so within 1.5x of the "winners" time eg 6day GSB, 15day TA, 21day TD etc).

- a depth of experience in the backcountry, could be tramping, climbing, hunting etc

- experience in adventure races or similar

- experience bikepacking/ cycle touring in out of the way places

So it's not one of these or all of these. What I want evidence of is that you are capable of finishing the TTW in good time, that you have the experience and skills to look after yourself in a backcountry setting and you can have fun when times are tough.

While there's an overview of the course on the site, the detail will be released to successful applicants in August. It's will be the similar to previous editions, but there might be a few changes. The course will be released to the general public just before the start, to limit the chance someone puts the race in jeopardy by trespassing on private land.

A course of this type has no ideal bike or setup. Long flat sections mixed with single track and hike-a-bike mean that whatever you choose there will be compromises. Remember the only bike shop on route is in Methven….  
A hardtail with front suspension and biggish (29 x 2.35) tyres was the most popular option in the first editions. Some successfully rode a full suspension setup, less successful was a fully rigid setup with bigger tyres. Please don’t bring a gravel bike, I’m certain you’ll have a bad time when you could have been having fun.
Probably more important is gear range. I think having a low granny gear will pay dividends. 30T x 10-50 is probably a good place to start.  What about the big flat sections and promised tail winds? A 2x setup would be good if your bike allows for it and we know singlespeed is pretty fast too if you are strong enough.  Also consider how you will ride the technical downhills - maybe a seat dropper?

Gear carrying requirements are simplified by the abundance of water and frequency of huts, but complicated by long sections with no resupply and bike carries. A minimal bag setup with a stashable backpack for extra food is a valid option. Riders have quickly learnt that off-loading weight from the bike to a backpack was key to fast travel on the big hikes.

Shoes were the items that had the most failures during the inaugural race, with riders sporting carbon-soled XC shoes cracking them within the first few days. Do yourself a favour and sort out some shoes that have a proven record of being great for hiking and riding. In this respect some riders might choose flats as a good option, as it also makes the frequent mounts/dismounts vastly easier.

Tyre choice is always a great conversation point. A number of riders had issues with slashed sidewalls and pinch flats that dashed their racing aspirations. There are many good tyre options but more important IMO is knowing how to repair a catastrophic failure. Packing a needle and thread and a bit of practice is a good place to start.

Keep in mind that the weather on the tops can be truly nasty with nowhere to hide. You really do need proper wet/cold weather gear to have the ability to move in storm conditions. This includes thermals, windproof hand coverings and a full shell layer. A synthetic puffer jacket is an essential item in my opinion. Gale force winds and snowstorms have occurred in the high country sections of all editions and riders have been forced to bivvy in sub zero conditions. Make sure your sleep system can handle this. Be a good scout and come prepared.

Hard. Unless you have completed a handful of similar bikepacking events, a hardcore wilderness tramp or an expedition-length adventure race, it's likely harder than anything you've done before. Words like brutal, epic and "truly inappropriate" have been used to describe sections of the route. Unlike other events, there will be times when the easiest way forward is to carry your bike and gear for significant periods of time up very steep hills. As well, there's technical singletrack riding and some brutally rough descents, so good skills are also very helpful.

Check out the movie, blogs and podcasts to get an insight to the reality of the TTW. The e-book compilation of stories and reports from the 2024 race Tour Te Waipounamu 2024 Stories is essential reading. 

In terms of preparation, anyone of us who has committed to a big bikepacking event knows it’s all too easy to get caught up in the bike/gear nerding. Yes, the right bike, best tyres and right gear will make life easier but they are not what makes the big difference. The big difference is your personal preparation, both physical and mental.
While standard training methods are important, getting used to operating in more difficult terrain not only gets the body used to the unusual set of movements but also normalises these requirements. Kurt Refsnider wrote an article about his preparation for the 2019 Colorado Trail Race called “Normalizing Difficult”. He’s also known to have said, “your bike is a tool, sometimes it’s the right tool, sometimes you’d be better off without it”.

Make sure you include some off-track training in your regime; hike-a-bike and carrying. If you have never ridden proper tramping-style singletrack (I’m excluding the Ghost Rd/Heaphy/Timber Trail) with a loaded bike, get out and do it. Even the Rameka Track on Day 1 is not the place to be a novice. A few tramping trips with a heavy pack is a good idea too…