A return to the lovely Matamata region, fullily enough, to where the first cases of Covid were recorded in 2020. On offer is a 400 or 600km ride.
All distances start and finish at the information centre in Matamata, all rides start at 6am.
The rides follow different courses.
Matamata is a good place to start from, as the first 30kms is a gentle downhill run. It can get cold, early in the morning though. Matamata also has good eating options for the end of the day rides.
Fellowship of the Chain Ring 400
400.90kms 1,318m of climbing
Time limit for the 400 is 27 hours.
Start time: Saturday 6am
Finish time: Sunday 9am.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38567009
The course does an initial loop up to Elstow -Waihou, before passing through Te Aroha on its way to Morrinsville. From Morrinsville, the course heads up to the Waharau Regional Park, before returning to Paeroa for a meal break, and then to Matamata to finish.
Checkpoints:
Matamata: 0kms
Te Aroha: 105 (Mokena Geyser)
Morrinsville: 155kms
Ngatea: 219kms
Paeroa: 329kms
Matamata: 400kms
Fellowship of the Chain Ring 600
Time limit for the 600 is 40 hours.
Start time: Saturday 6am
Finish time: Sunday 10pm
602.50kms 2,344m of climbing
Day 1
354.70kms 1,364m of climbing
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38647724
Day One heads out towards Morrinsville, Hunlty, Rangiriri, Ngaruawahia and returns to Matamata.
Checkpoints:
Morrinsville: 116kms
Rangiriri: 182kms
Ngaruawahia 213kms
Morrinsville: 277kms
Matamata: 355kms
Day 2
247.80kms 980m of climbing
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38647737
Day two is a flat ride up to Waharaui Regional Park and back.
Checkpoints
Ngatea: 82 kms (cumulative 437kms)
Kaiaua Return: 134 kms (489 kms)
Te Aroha: 208 kms (563 kms)
Matamata: 248 kms (600 kms)
