2026 1K Cruise
Here’s all the information you need for the Northern and Southern 1KC rides, held on 14 March 2026. This year, the Northern 1KC will start in Tauranga, and the Southern 1KC will start at Z Remutaka.
If you are new to distance riding, this is a great middle-distance ride to start with. Other than needing to complete the ride on the same day, there’s no time limit to complete the ride. It’s a low-pressure, fun introduction to long-distance riding. It’s also a ride that will let you qualify for the NI1600 as a first-time rider.
NZ Distance Riders use these rides to raise money for Hato Hone St John. Over the last two years, we have donated $5,000 to St John in Ohakune. Part of your entry form contributes to this donation. So, rest assured—you're having fun but contributing to a good cause at the same time. Thank you!
If you decide to withdraw from the ride (for whatever reason), then please call the number on the checkpoint sheet and let us know that you’re pulling out. While there is no time limit, if you won’t make it back before 10:30 pm, please call HQ and let us know! By arrangement, we will wait until midnight for you to return, but only by arrangement. If in doubt, CALL!. If you fail to call and arrive late without notifying us, you will be barred from future events.
The rides require you to follow a pre-determined route and visit some specific checkpoints, taking photos of those checkpoints as described on the checkpoint sheets.
When you finish the ride, you'll be welcomed in by the ride volunteers. They will check through your photos to ensure that you obtained all of the required checkpoint photos.
All successful finishers will be awarded a finisher's certificate and a 1KC finisher's pin.
These rides are purely for fun; they are not a race, and there is no time limit to finish these rides, except that you must finish on the same day. Take your sweet time, see the sights, stop for a coffee, and go flower-sniffing. The routes are designed to take you to places which you might not have been to before, and to experience some excellent riding roads which you might not have ridden yet.
Get a group together and come along for a fun, long-distance (1000km) ride.
ENTER the NZDR 1KC Rides here
Some ‘RULES’ (because there are always rules)
With regards to both of the 1KC rides:
Our volunteers work hard to keep things running smoothly. Any variations from what we have planned take extra time for the team to validate. Please don't be offended if we say NO if you’re asking for something out of the ordinary.
Thanks for your understanding.
ENTER the NZDR 1KC Rides here
With regards to both of the 1KC rides:
- You must enter before entries close.
- The cost to enter is non-refundable AFTER entries have closed.
- You can start and finish the 1KC event at any point along the route (helpful if you don’t live in Wellington or Tauranga).
- If you’re going to do this, you MUST notify [email protected] of your alternate start and finishing points.
- You will be required to ride your ride on the same date, unless otherwise organised.
- You must ride the prescribed route in the prescribed direction. Even virtual riders are expected to complete the ride in one single day.
- You are required to submit your photo checkpoint evidence by email within 1 week of the ride date. See https://www.distanceriders.org.nz/proof-for-virtual-event.html for details on what 'proof for a virtual ride' entails. Do not forget your start and finish ODO photos!
- There are no refunds for no-shows on the day. Requests for virtual rides are at the organiser’s discretion.
- If you are permitted to do a virtual ride, we will make every effort to verify these rides as promptly as our volunteer time permits, but this could take up to a month from submission.
Our volunteers work hard to keep things running smoothly. Any variations from what we have planned take extra time for the team to validate. Please don't be offended if we say NO if you’re asking for something out of the ordinary.
Thanks for your understanding.
ENTER the NZDR 1KC Rides here
Northern Route - Tauranga.
START: 6:30am at Omokoroa Settlers’ Hall, 334 Omokoroa Road, Omokoroa
FINISH: The Village Green (Bar & Eatery), Tralee St, Omokoroa.
CHECKPOINT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS - Outlined in this PDF: Northern Checkpoints (.pdf)
Downloadable GPX bundles, download and use these in your GPS or your Navigational app:
If you're importing this into BaseCamp, then grab files 1 and 2.
FINISH: The Village Green (Bar & Eatery), Tralee St, Omokoroa.
CHECKPOINT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS - Outlined in this PDF: Northern Checkpoints (.pdf)
Downloadable GPX bundles, download and use these in your GPS or your Navigational app:
- Track only - Download Link - Download Link - Northern Track only (.gpx)
Great for Rever - Route and Checkpoints - Download Link - Northern Route and Checkpoints (.gpx)
Great for InRoute - Just Checkpoints - Download Link - Northern Checkpoints only (.gpx)
Great for PoI Viewer - Checkpoints and Track combined - Download Link - Northern Track and Checkpoints combined (.gpx)
If you're importing this into BaseCamp, then grab files 1 and 2.
Southern Route - Wellington
START: 6:30 am at Z Remutaka, 1193 Fergusson Drive, North, Upper Hutt 5018
FINISH: 1841 Bar and Restaurant, 1 Disraeli Street, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037
CHECKPOINT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS - Outlined in this PDF: Southern Checkpoints (PDF)
Downloadable GPX bundles, download and use these in your GPS or your Navigational app:
If you're importing this into BaseCamp, then grab files 1 and 2.
FINISH: 1841 Bar and Restaurant, 1 Disraeli Street, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037
CHECKPOINT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS - Outlined in this PDF: Southern Checkpoints (PDF)
Downloadable GPX bundles, download and use these in your GPS or your Navigational app:
- Track only - Download Link - Southern Track only (.gpx)
Great for Rever - Route and Checkpoints - Download Link - Southern Route and Checkpoints (.gpx)
Great for InRoute - Just Checkpoints - Download Link - Southern Checkpoints only (.gpx)
Great for PoI Viewer - Checkpoints and Track combined - Download Link - Southern Checkpoints and Track (.gpx)
Great for MRA app
If you're importing this into BaseCamp, then grab files 1 and 2.
What should we do with this information?
ENTER the NZDR 1KC Rides here
This information above shows you the route we've designed for you to follow. Our routes often use backroads or less-travelled paths that your GPS might not normally suggest. Using point-to-point GPS navigation between checkpoints may not give you the correct route.
We’ve provided a GPX file above that you can load into your routing and navigation software. The TRACK file is a fixed line on the map, showing exactly where we want you to go. Your GPS won’t alter this line, as it’s made up of specific location points along the roads. The TRACK is great for visual reference, but it’s difficult to navigate if you’re expecting turn-by-turn directions.
You can load the TRACK onto any GARMIN GPS unit and display it on the map as you ride. When combined with point-to-point directions, it can be very helpful. Use the TRACK to check if the turn-by-turn directions match our intended route. If they don’t, ignore the GPS and follow the TRACK, allowing the GPS to reroute as needed.
The Checkpoints file is helpful if you want to download just the waypoints. You can use an app like 'POI Viewer' on your phone to manage these waypoints. POI Viewer lets you easily find the next waypoint and navigate to it using apps like Google Maps or Waze.
The ROUTE file is useful if you use apps like 'In Route' or 'My Route App,' or if you want to import the fully prepared route into Basecamp. If you’re practicing for the NI800 or NI1600 events, note that you won’t be given a ROUTE file at those events. You’ll need to create it yourself using the TRACK and waypoints we provide.
If you’re working with the ROUTE file, it’s best to use routing software that can import the TRACK alongside the active route. This way, you can compare the two lines on the map and adjust your route to match the TRACK.
A ROUTE is a path your GPS or routing software creates to get you from one point to another. It makes decisions based on the mapping data it has, which can cause variations between devices or maps. Your ROUTE may not match our TRACK unless you add shaping points, adjust routing options, or change settings like 'fastest route' to 'shortest route.'
Tip: We often use 'Shortest Distance, Avoiding Unsealed Roads' as a setting for our routes.
This can be a complex topic and is often frustrating for new riders. However, it's a crucial skill for successful long-distance riding. Remember, planning and sticking to your plan is key. Don’t hesitate to ask experienced riders in the community for help or advice!
This information above shows you the route we've designed for you to follow. Our routes often use backroads or less-travelled paths that your GPS might not normally suggest. Using point-to-point GPS navigation between checkpoints may not give you the correct route.
We’ve provided a GPX file above that you can load into your routing and navigation software. The TRACK file is a fixed line on the map, showing exactly where we want you to go. Your GPS won’t alter this line, as it’s made up of specific location points along the roads. The TRACK is great for visual reference, but it’s difficult to navigate if you’re expecting turn-by-turn directions.
You can load the TRACK onto any GARMIN GPS unit and display it on the map as you ride. When combined with point-to-point directions, it can be very helpful. Use the TRACK to check if the turn-by-turn directions match our intended route. If they don’t, ignore the GPS and follow the TRACK, allowing the GPS to reroute as needed.
The Checkpoints file is helpful if you want to download just the waypoints. You can use an app like 'POI Viewer' on your phone to manage these waypoints. POI Viewer lets you easily find the next waypoint and navigate to it using apps like Google Maps or Waze.
The ROUTE file is useful if you use apps like 'In Route' or 'My Route App,' or if you want to import the fully prepared route into Basecamp. If you’re practicing for the NI800 or NI1600 events, note that you won’t be given a ROUTE file at those events. You’ll need to create it yourself using the TRACK and waypoints we provide.
If you’re working with the ROUTE file, it’s best to use routing software that can import the TRACK alongside the active route. This way, you can compare the two lines on the map and adjust your route to match the TRACK.
A ROUTE is a path your GPS or routing software creates to get you from one point to another. It makes decisions based on the mapping data it has, which can cause variations between devices or maps. Your ROUTE may not match our TRACK unless you add shaping points, adjust routing options, or change settings like 'fastest route' to 'shortest route.'
Tip: We often use 'Shortest Distance, Avoiding Unsealed Roads' as a setting for our routes.
This can be a complex topic and is often frustrating for new riders. However, it's a crucial skill for successful long-distance riding. Remember, planning and sticking to your plan is key. Don’t hesitate to ask experienced riders in the community for help or advice!
