We’re very close to the 10 week countdown to the race, which means it’s time to start planning for the best weekend ever.

Now that that stunning piece of road between our beautiful parts of the world has reopened, getting here is easy for you, our Cantabrian neighbours, and there’s a heap of goodness to take in along the way.

Here are our top tips for the best roadie ever:

Along the Way

Grab a car-full of your besties and hit the road on Thursday morning and head for your first stop in Cheviot. Here, we highly recommend a visit to Mt Beautiful Two Rivers Cafe for a pitstop and one of the world’s best pies.

Kaikoura is next up the line and while it’s not too far from Cheviot, we can’t resist a stop in this stunner of a town to take in the serenity from snow capped mountains to that alpine blue sea.

If you’re still full from your best-ever pie, we recommend taking in the sites by sea while you get to know Kaikoura’s most famous residents, the whales, with Whale Watch Kaikoura.

We recommend nabbing a spot on their 12.45pm sailing, which would leave you enough time to stop at Nin’s Bin for a crayfish or The Store in Kekerengu for a coffee and a scone, both just north of Kaikoura, before making the final journey to Blenheim.

When You Get Here

Once you arrive, prepare for more delicious dining at Gala Feast by Feast Marlborough, which kicks off at 6.30pm. Gala Feast will showcase our region’s outstanding wine and food with a side of exceptional musical talent.

Register for the race on Friday between 10am and 9pm and explore our beautiful region before the Feast continues with the Bayley’s Friday Night Feast, where town will come alive for the best street party ever.

Don’t worry, it’s all over by 8.30pm so you can grab an early night before taking on the race come Saturday.

Of course, the fun doesn’t end at the finish line; where The Hub will offer wine, beer, food, massages and yoga before handing the reins back to Feast Marlborough for Marlborough Underground.

There’s so much to see and do so allow yourself plenty of time to explore; did someone say no work Monday?

If you’re yet to nab your ticket for the race, they’re moving quickly, but you can still grab yours here, and if you want some more information about Feast Marlborough, you can check it out here.