The Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari from Christchurch to Hokitika saw over 300 riders brave the elements to raise money for the Cancer Society.

Crazy costumes and crazy helmets brightened up the dull weather as more than 270 people went coast-to-coast on their motor scooters.

This year's Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari ride sold out in just four days and saw organisers lift the 250 scooter limit to 270 to accommodate those who would have missed out.

Saturday's event was the sixth biennial 235-kilometre safari and organiser Jayne Rattray said there was an interesting lead up to the event as snow had been forecast.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF Pam Dempsey crosses the Bealey Bridge, near Arthur's Pass.

While there was no snow like there had been in previous years, Rattray said the wind picked up at Porters Pass – the steepest leg of the trip.

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It then rained heavily between Arthur's Pass and Hokitika.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF Justin Ryan and dog Patch join the Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari run from Christchurch to Hokitika.

"All in all we can't complain," Rattray said.

"The interest in the event is still growing. Of the 270 that rode, about half of them were new.

"That's showing that people are still finding out about it, still wanting to get involved and the event is still growing and I think it's still got a few years left in it yet."

JOHN BISSET/STUFF Scooters and costumes galore as the Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari participants travel from Christchurch to Hokitika.

Rattray said she was overwhelmed at how much the event has grown.

"It's a long day on a bike so there's certainly some sore backsides today.

"We're just blown away and totally humbled and never did we dream that it would get this big.

1 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Iron Man - Greg Blanch of Christchurch - on the tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 2 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Stig is Pam Neal of Blenheim on the tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 3 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Phillipa Behrent of Oamaru remembers the Royal wedding on the tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 4 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Riders head along a section of State highway 73, colloquially known as "Conrod Straight" near Lake Pearson on the tranz alpine scooter safari. 5 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Pam Dempsey, front, rides across the Bealey Bridge on State highway 73 on her way to Hokitika in the tranz alpine Scooter Safari. 6 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 7 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Sam Smith and John Regan of Rangiora having a lunch break in Arthur's Pass on the tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 8 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Riders cross the Bealey Bridge near Arthur's in the tranz alpine Scooter Safari. 9 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Sam Smith of Rangiora, front, crosses the Bealey Bridge near Arthur's in the tranz alpine Scooter Safari. 10 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Sonia Wright of Taranaki crosses the Bealey Bridge near Arthur's in the tranz alpine Scooter Safari. 11 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Matthew Rovers of Christchuch has his feet up for the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 12 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Matthew Rovers of Christchurch enjoys armchair comfort as he heads off on the tranz alpine Scooter Safari. 13 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 14 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Peter Burbidge, Gary Morris and Malcolm Martin on the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 15 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Phillipa Behrent of Oamaru on the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 16 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Liz Watson of Timaru on the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 17 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 18 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari arrives Hokitika from Christchurch. 19 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 20 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 21 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Just Ryan of Christchurch with his dog Patch on the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika. 22 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Riders on the 2018 tranz alpine Scooter Sarfari from Christchurch to Hokitika climb Porters Pass. 23 of 23 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Riders head along a section of State highway 73, colloquially known as "Conrod Straight" near Lake Pearson on the tranz alpine scooter safari.

"Since our maiden voyage we've taken more than 1000 people on our scooter safari."

The event has now raised about $1.1 million, including more than $317,000 this year.

"It's just incredible," Rattray said.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari runs from Christchurch to Hokitika.

"We set out with a goal for this year to get to $211,000 and our riders did that last week."

This year's event began at Ruapuna Motorsport Park with several laps around the track, before participants set off towards the mountains, taking State Highway 73 via Porters and Arthur's Pass to Hokitika.