R&R BLACK STUMP ADVENTURE Saturday 11 February 2012
 

Every year riders brave the legendary Black Stump course in the rugged Hakarimata Ranges, at Glen Massey on what has become one of New Zealand’s iconic mountain bike rides. There are four different length rides to cater for all levels, novice to the super fit; a single-speed class and team events. If you enjoy mountain biking, then the Black Stump is a must-do event.  Come and have a day in the country, experiencing spectacular views, awesome riding, delicious food, and friendly marshals.  This event is not called the ‘toughest ride this side of the Black Stump’ for nothing. http://www.thekiller.co.nz/

XTERRA TRAILFEST, RIVERHEAD Sunday 12 February 2012
 

This event is jam packed full of mountain biking, trailing running, and trail walking goodness - with all event options offered on the same day this year. First up to hit the trails, in the morning, will be the mountain bikers (12km, 22km, 34km, 45km). These courses have been designed to get you to all the best bits the forest has to offer, with a good mix of flowing single trail, and fast gravel road sections. http://www.trailfest.co.nz/

SANTA CRUZ COPPERMINE EPIC Saturday 18 February 2012
 

Ride some of Nelson’s best trails while you traverse the spectacular Coppermine mineral belt. There are two courses to cater for different riding abilities. The Epic course (aimed at the mountain bike racer and those with experienced riding skills) is a truly all-mountain event designed to test all riders' skills and fitness levels. The Enduro course (suitable for the recreational rider) is the same length as the Epic but has less hill climbing and remains on the Dun Mountain Rail Trail. Both courses descend the newly-upgraded Boulder Valley which has had a major makeover in 2011 catering for all abilities with an incredibly fun and flowing piece of single track. http://www.coppermine.co.nz/

MERIDA KARAPOTI CLASSIC Saturday 03 March 2012
 

Based in Wellington's rugged Akatarawa Ranges, 10km north of Upper Hutt City, the Merida Karapoti Classic is New Zealand's premier mountain bike event. Combining a huge but achievable challenge with spectacular scenery and an awesome social scene, Karapoti is the event on every mountain biker's wish list. But don't take our word for it - enter now for New Zealand's favourite mountain bike race. But be quick...entries are limited to 1000 starters and last year we had almost 1800 wanting to ride. http://www.karapoti.co.nz/

COLVILLE CONNECTION Saturday 10 March 2012
 

The Colville Connection is an event set in one of the best off-road / trail playgrounds in the North Island of New Zealand. Its stunning terrain and top quality event location has made this one a major event on the national event calendar. With three different mountain bike rides available, plus three NEW run / walk events in 2012, all starting and finishing from Colville school, the Colville Connection has an event option for all levels of enthusiasm and ability. http://www.colvilleconnection.co.nz/

MOTATAPU Saturday 10 March 2012
 

The Motatapu Speight's Summit 47km Mountain Bike is for everyone. It can be as challenging or as easy as you want it to be (depending on your definition of easy!) Set in the spectacular Southern high country valleys, there are many rivers to cross, hills to climb and a few steep descents thrown into the mix. The race starts at Glendhu Bay on the shore of Lake Wanaka, near the Wanaka township, and finishes at historic Arrowtown. Your journey follows a route early Maori used for hunting and gathering, and to move Pounamu (Greenstone). The valley was not discovered by European explorers until around 1862, during the gold rush. http://www.iconicadventures.co.nz/

RAINBOW RAGE, HANMER Saturday 17 March 2012
 

The annual Rainbow Rage Classic is a 106 KM mountain bike adventure ride that starts outside of St Arnaud,  goes through some of the South Island’s awesome sub alpine high country, and finishes in the Hanmer domain. In 2011 three other option were included, The Rainbow Rage Epic, The St James Loop and the Tennyson Return. www.rainbowrage.co.nz

PARTNERS LIFE DUAL MOTUTAPU - RANGITOTO TRAVERSE Saturday 24 March 2012
 

Staged on the two picturesque Hauraki Gulf islands of Rangitoto and Motutapu, Partners Life DUAL competitors have the option of mountain biking or trail running and walking in a location not normally open to these types of sporting activities. For the mountain bikers there’s 30km and 50km course options. www.thedual.co.nz

Arrowsmith Races, Lake Herom Saturday 31 March 2012
 

A 42 km MTB Ride/Race on Mt Arrowsmith Station starting and finishing at the woolshed. Heading up the Cameron River nearly to the source, up and over a saddle into the South Ashburton River then a blast down the river bed over another small saddle and then back across the paddocks to the woolshed.
www.multisportevents.co.nz 

QUEENSTOWN BIKE FESTIVAL Saturday 31 March 2012
 

Inspired by the Queenstown cycling community’s vision to celebrate Queenstown as a biking mecca, the Queenstown Bike Festival focused on the theme - “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BIKE!”. The Queenstown Bike Festival combined the best of mountain bikes, downhill and road bikes through a diverse series of events rolled into an exciting package for kids, recreational and elite, or simply passionate riders. The ten day festival programme featured three keystone events to suit all biking levels- the Corona DirtMasters Downhill, the New World Tour de Wakatipu and the Outside Sports Super D Enduro. http://www.queenstownbikefestival.co.nz/

XTERRA ROTORUA FESTIVAL Saturday 14 April 2012
 

This event is for mountain biking and general fitness athletes with some mountain bike experiance and is set in stunning forest scenery and on world class trails. The 29KM Mountain Bike is a mix of climbing, descents, single track and logging roads set in New Zealand's best mountain bike terrain. http://www.xterra.co.nz/

CONTACT EPIC, LAKE HAWEA Saturday 21 April 2012
 

The Contact Epic is about the challenge of circumnavigating the shores of Lake Hawea which is located on the edge of Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand. The ride is a 125 km journey of discovery about the land, about your bike and about yourself. It is a once a year opportunity to be part of a race and a great day out riding through the Hunter Valley and Dingle Burn high country farming stations of Lake Hawea. This is only achieved through special permission from the land owners. The course is undulating and varied with river and stream crossings, lots of short climbs and long descents. There is also a 95km option for those not ready to take on the whole lake, this time. http://www.lakehaweaepic.co.nz/

T42, CENTRAL PLATEAU Saturday 05 May 2012
 

For the many of you that have been to the Central Plateau area, I’m sure you will agree that it is full of off-road delights and is one of the most magical and unique places in NZ.  The T42 event follows the iconic 42 Traverse mountain bike track and offers numerous mountain bike and trail run options. http://www.t42.co.nz/

ROUND RANGIHOUA CHALLENGE, WAIHEKE ISLAND Tuesday 04 December 2012
 

The 5th Annual Round Rangihoua Challenge kicks off at 11.30am from the Onetangi Sports Park, Waiheke Island. The 6km track has been purpose-built and caters for all levels of mountain bikers from recreation to expert. Get your teams together or ride solo. http://www.wmbc.co.nz