By ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE
ROTORUA - A convoy of night-riders is getting ready to hit the forest trails in Rotorua this week.
About 900 keen cyclists will take part in the city's seventh annual Red Bull Cateye Moonride.
Starting at 8 pm on Friday and riding through the night until 8 am on Saturday, they will cover 12km laps through the Whakarewarewa Forest.
Entrants range from 14 hardy individuals intent on pedalling for 12 hours to corporate teams of 10 riders who will take it in turns.
Past events, programmed to take place as close as possible to a full moon, have been held in tough conditions, including non-stop rain and freezing temperatures, says organiser Dean Watson.
Participants are aged from mid-teens to late-50s, and 95 per cent of them are in it for fun rather than serious competition, he says.
Although there are trophies to be won, no major prizemoney is offered as a drawcard.
"It is the uniqueness of it. It really challenges people."
Mr Watson says the Moonride is growing in popularity, with the number of entries leaping about 20 per cent each year.
Competitors and supporters spend the night watching and socialising under a giant marquee at Rotorua Racecourse.
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