Mountain Bikers Flock To Taupo

For immediate release
24th September 2010

Mountain Bikers Flock To Taupo

Taupo will once again be the mecca of mountain biking on November 27th when mountain bikers hit the trails during the Contact Huka Mountain Bike Challenge.

The Contact Huka Mountain Bike Challenge was a popular addition to iconic Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in 2008 and aims to give mountain bikers a challenge that is on par in difficulty and time with the 160km solo road ride around the Lake.

Mountain bikers will tackle approximately 80kms of New Zealand’s best single trails either as solo riders or in teams of two – both events are already proving popular this year with over 100 people already entered.

“The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge caters for riders of all levels and by popular demand we added the two person Contact Huka Mountain Bike relay challenge – the first leg is 40kms while the second leg is slighter longer at 42km and includes two Grade 4 tracks,” said Rob McKnight, Event Director for the 2010 Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

“The first, Kegresse, is quite a technical track but not too steep whereas the second, Totara Gully, is quite narrow with a couple of steep drop-offs towards the river.

“The relay transition point is at Q Line Road (the ‘old’ entrance to Wairakei Forest) – it will be a great spectator point with coffee, drinks stations and a base for mechanics and supporters. There is plenty of parking and is easily accessible from town.

“Adding to the already high levels of professionalism of the event, all riders will cross over timing mats giving solo riders a ‘split time’.

“Due to ongoing forestry tree felling, the exact course is yet to be finalised – old favourite tracks such as Fast Eddie and Bumble Bee will return and riders will enjoy the challenge of new tracks such as Deb’s Uphill and the major realignments on Kegresse and the Rotary Ride.

“This year the event will be even safer for riders – mountain bikers will start from the righthand side of Tongariro Street in waves of small groups alongside the ‘roadies’ meaning there will be less congestion once they hit the single tracks.

“After 80kms of single, flowing trails including those in the Wairakei Crown Forest Park, an event-only section down to Aratiatia Dam, the Huka Falls trail and the Rotary Ride, riders will once again cross over State Highway 1 via a purpose-built bridge before finishing their challenge at the main Cycle Challenge finish line.

Licensed riders can enter the Contact Huka XL Race which has prize money for placegetters, winners of the Single Speed section and winners of various Masters age groups.

The mountain bike events are three of twelve events in the 2010 Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which will see an expected 10,000 riders flock from around New Zealand and Australia to the lakeside town of Taupo.

Keen riders should enter the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge before October 1 to be in the draw to win a fantastic ‘Early bird’ prize package valued at $500. All riders will receive a hydration backpack courtesy of Contact Energy and the event organisers.

For more information, go to www.cyclechallenge.com and follow the links to the BikeTaupo website on the Mountain Bike page.

Entry prices for 2010 Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
• Solo - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Tandem – $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Linfox Tarmac Relay – $97 per team member before October 1; $99 after October 1
• Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Maxi Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Extreme Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Contact Huka Solo Challenge - $95 before October 1: $96 after October 1
• Contact Huka Relay - $85 before October 1; $87 after October 1
• Contact Huka XL Race – $100 before October 1; $103 after October 1
• Avanti Men’s Classic Race - $100 before October 1; $103 after October 1
• Workout Zone Women’s Road Race – $85 before October 1; $87 after October 1
• Heart Children NZ Heart Ride – $21 before October 1: $22 after October 1

A $20 entry fee discount is offered to all riders aged under 18 years, except in the Heart Rider and Race categories.

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