EDITION ZERO 2026 Newsletter One
Welcome to Newsletter One for 2026!
This newsletter is all about getting you ready for Edition Zero. Whether this is your first time joining us or you're coming back for another adventure, we've pulled together some important information to help you prepare for a great day on the bike in South Canterbury.
Edition Zero is a little different from your usual gravel event. It's an adventure, it's a challenge, and it's an opportunity to be part of a great community of riders. There is plenty to think about before you roll out, so grab a coffee, take a few minutes and have a read.
Let's get you set up for a quality adventure!
ADVENTURE
Expect the unexpected. Enjoy the ride.
Edition Zero is designed to be an adventure. That means varied terrain, changing conditions and a few things that might be different from your usual riding experience. Here's what you need to know.
Gravel
It probably goes without saying, but there is a lot of gravel! And not all gravel is created equal. Expect a variety of surfaces, from relatively smooth to rough, loose and challenging. Road conditions can change considerably throughout the course, so ride to the conditions and stay alert. Recent weather events across the region have also affected some road surfaces.
Fords, Creeks and Waterways
The course crosses a number of fords and waterways. Some may have water flowing through them, others may be dry. Either way, expect uneven and potentially rough surfaces. Take care when crossing and don't assume you can carry your usual speed.
Hills
For every uphill, there's a downhill. While the descents might offer some welcome relief for the legs, they also require care. Stay in control, keep left and take particular care around blind corners and rises. There's no prize for getting to the bottom first.
Gates
There are gates on the Mains and Entree course. Please leave every gate exactly as you find it. If it's open, leave it open. If it's closed, close it behind you.
Other Road Users
All roads are open to the public. You will share the course with local traffic, residents, tractors, farm machinery and potentially stock. KEEP LEFT at all times. Be prepared to slow down, make room, give way or stop when required. Remember, we are guests in this part of the world.
Road Rules
All normal road rules apply. Keep left, don't ride more than two abreast, obey give-way and stop requirements, and follow all road signage and instructions. Edition Zero takes place on open public roads, and every rider is responsible for their own safety and behaviour.
Minimum Gear Requirements
Being prepared is a big part of the adventure. Make sure your bike is properly serviced, you have the tools and spares needed to keep yourself moving, and your clothing is suitable for the conditions.
South Canterbury weather can be unpredictable. We've previously experienced snow on one side of the course and bright sunshine on the other!
Compulsory Emergency Equipment
All Mains and Entree riders must carry an emergency bivvy bag at all times. It must be large enough to provide complete shelter for you in an emergency. Collect yours at registration.
Navigation
Your GPX files are available below. Please make sure you download the correct file for your event and load it onto your navigation device before arriving.
The Snack and Taster courses will have course signage, but we still recommend carrying a navigation device or having access to your route.
Mains and Entrée riders must have a means of navigation.
Please do not use GPX files from previous years. We review and update our courses, and an old file could send you somewhere you don't want to be!
CHALLENGE
Know what you're getting yourself into.
Edition Zero is a proper challenge. Depending on your course, you could be spending a considerable number of hours out on the bike, navigating changing surfaces, climbing hills and managing your own nutrition and energy.
Plan accordingly. Service your bike, prepare your equipment, think carefully about your nutrition and make sure you are ready for the distance ahead.
If you're wondering what you've signed up for, ask someone who has joined us in previous years!
Aid Stations
We have aid stations positioned around the course to support you along the way. These provide access to water, your drop bags and facilities.
Each aid station also has a timing mat. Please make sure you pass over the timing mat when arriving at each station so we can keep track of your progress.
Drop Bags
Every rider will receive a drop bag at registration. These are yours to fill with food, nutrition, spare clothing and anything else you'd like access to during the ride.
Please bring your completed drop bag to the event briefing. Our team will transport it to the appropriate aid station and return it to the finish village.
Mains riders will receive two drop bags, Cannington and Cattle Creek. Entrée riders will receive a drop bag for Cattle Creek and one for leaving things on the bus.
Medical Support
Medical support will be available on course and at the finish village.
If you need assistance at any point, please alert a member of the event team. Don't try to push through a situation that needs medical attention.
Withdrawing from the Event
Sometimes adventures don't go to plan. Mechanical issues, fatigue, injury or simply deciding that today isn't your day can all mean calling it quits.
If you need to withdraw, please notify the Tail End Charlie, an aid station crew member or the finish village team.
Please don't simply leave the course without telling anyone. We need to know where you are and that you are safe.
COMMUNITY
It is about more than just riding a bike.
Edition Zero is about bringing people together. Riders, supporters, sponsors, local businesses and the communities that make this part of South Canterbury such a great place to ride.
We want everyone to have a great experience, while making sure we leave a positive impact on the places and people who host us.
Here's how you can help.
Registration
All riders must register before their event.
There is no Saturday registration for Mains riders, so please make sure you get this sorted on Friday.
Friday registration: 3.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Saturday registration (Snack & Taster only): Between 7.00 am and 7:30am
Please arrive with enough time to register, collect your race plate and get yourself organised.
Entrée | A fresh adventure
For 2026, the Entrée is getting a completely fresh adventure, with a new start in Albury!
To help us organise transport, all riders will need to let us know at Friday registration whether they are taking the event bus to Albury on Saturday morning or making their own way to the start.
Taking the bus?
Riders travelling by bus will need to have their bikes loaded and be ready to depart Waimate at 7.00 am on Saturday morning.
Before boarding, please make sure you've dropped your Cattle Creek drop bag at the designated registration area. We will take care of getting it to the aid station for you.
Once we arrive in Albury, bikes will be unloaded and we will gather for the Entrée event briefing, scheduled for approximately 8.30 am, before getting ready to roll out.
Making your own way to Albury?
No problem! If you are organising your own transport, please make sure you drop your Cattle Creek drop bag at registration on Friday evening. We will get it to the aid station ready for your arrival.
Whichever option you choose, make sure you've got everything sorted on Friday so Saturday morning runs smoothly.
Gravel Expo
The EZG Gravel Expo takes place alongside event registration and is a great part of the Edition Zero experience.
You will find cycling brands, vendors, local businesses and plenty of people keen to talk bikes, share stories and get you excited about the weekend.
Expect some good conversations, a few goodies and giveaways, and the opportunity to meet the people who help make Edition Zero happen.
Make sure you spend some time having a look around. It's all part of the experience!
Event Briefings
Event briefings take place 15 minutes before each event start.
Attendance is compulsory for all riders.
Mains, Snack and Taster briefings will be held on the Waimate Velodrome track. Please be there, be ready and don't be late! The Entree briefing will take place at the Albury Community Hall.
Rubbish
Littering is completely unacceptable.
We have rubbish facilities available at the aid stations and finish village. Otherwise, please carry your rubbish with you until you can dispose of it properly.
We are privileged to ride through some incredible parts of South Canterbury. Let's make sure we leave them exactly as we found them.
On-Course Support
Edition Zero is an unsupported event.
This means no personal support crews, private vehicles or unofficial assistance on the course. Aid stations are reserved exclusively for official event operations and registered riders.
Only authorised event staff will be permitted into the aid stations.
Please respect this arrangement. It helps us manage the event safely and fairly for everyone.
Finish Line and Village
Once again, the finish line experience will bring you back to the Waimate Velodrome.
You will follow a marked, cyclocross-style pathway into the velodrome and complete two laps of the track before exiting via the designated route into the event recovery zone.
Please follow the marked course, keep an eye out for faster riders and keep to the high line on your first lap. Enjoy those final two laps, you have earned them!
Once you have crossed the finish line, take some time to enjoy the village. Catch up with fellow riders, celebrate your achievement and enjoy the atmosphere. Our Expo vendors will be on hand with refreshments to help you start replacing those well-earned calories.
Drop Bag Collection
Your drop bags will be available for collection from the designated drop bag area at the finish village.
Please bring your race plate when collecting your bags so our team can return the correct gear to you.
Cattle Creek drop bags will be returned once they have made their way back from the course, and will be available ahead of prize giving.
Prize Giving
Prize giving will take place at 5.00 pm.
It's always a great opportunity to recognise the efforts of our riders, celebrate some achievements and bring the community together.
Stick around if you can. We would love to see you there!
The After Party
The riding might be the main event, but we're not quite finished when the bikes stop rolling.
We're working on plans for Saturday evening, with more details to come in our next newsletter.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE
We know there's plenty of effort that goes into getting ready for an event like Edition Zero. Training, planning, bike preparation, travel and all the little details that go into making a big day happen.
Thanks for choosing to spend part of your year with us and for being part of the Edition Zero community.
Enjoy these last few weeks of preparation, get out for some great rides, travel safely and we'll see you in South Canterbury soon.
Your adventure starts here.
See you soon,
Andy, Sandra and Gus
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