The Ton <->

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Darfield, Canterbury, NZ

Route Overview

The Flahute

Mountain Bike Rides, Gravel Rides, Hilly Road Rides

102 mi.

2,613 ft.

The mythical milestone of the ages. The old school imperial. A grand day out on the bicycle.

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Route Details

**The mythical milestone of the ages. The old school imperial. A grand day out on the bicycle. Embark upon 163kms with no significant climbing, but plenty of fun and views and pie stops - all on sealed road. This can be done all year round, but it can be icy and cold in winter.**
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Starting in @point[Darfield](d,34.22), a small town 50km west of Christchurch, there is supermarket, bakery and cafe close to the start as well as all day parking and toilets. It is 18km to Hororata where you can sample a good selection of slices, pies and coffee at @poi[The Butcher's Pie](7862088).

*You will be travelling along a mixture of secondary highways and quiet rural roads with only a few settlements in between, there are a few spots with no cellphone coverage but most of the time you will have coverage.*

From here it's a @slice[gentle climb](d,19723.74,41442.24) to the Rakaia Gorge with a @slice[short steep downhill](d,42114.47,44781.26) to the scenic bridge and then the only @slice[significant climb](d,46471.91,51518.31) of the day it's one of those terraced climbs, so just when you think it's over there is another pinch climb.

The next rest opportunity is the fantastic @poi[Staveley Store](7862089) at 70kms, which has very tasty home-made goodies and delicious drinks. The village of @point[Mount Somers](d,79735.48) is at 80km and offers a convenience store and toilets.This is the halfway point and the good news is that it's pretty much a false flat downhill for the rest of the day!

At 95k, there is @point[Mayfield](d,94212.89), which offers another convenience store, a service station with a toilet. It's a good idea to fill up here as this is the last real opportunity to refuel before the end of the ride.

From here you will leave the mountains and head towards the coast and meander back to @point[Ashburton](d,160742.27), the route finishes at the @poi[Speights Ale House](7862090), which is a good place to relax and unwind after a long but rewarding day in the saddle. Then figure out how you will get home.

If you want to do this as a part of an organised event, join me each year at The Ton, which is run in January and August each year. We will guide you and take you home in style! Check out our [website](http://www.altocycletours.co.nz/) for details.