Chairman of the HB Mountain bike club Scott Richardson. The recent development of mountain bike tracks has excited locals. PHOTO / File.
Te Mata Peak's recent development of mountain bike tracks have excited the local community in what they believe is an "untapped resource".
Despite this, it has not been an easy ride for the brains behind the operation.
Former international adventure racer Tim Wilkins, who worked alongside Damon Harvey and Russell Nettlingham to get the tracks on Te Mata Peak, said it had been a "difficult and long, drawn-out process, negotiating with the trust board and sourcing landscape reports, engineering reports and a resource consent".
"We worked our way through that process. We just did it for the sake of the community."
They had received funding from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and the Hastings District Council.
Although the four tracks were not built overnight, he said the use they had been getting since they opened in May was unbelievable and was also contributing to the local economy.
"What we didn't realise is that there is a huge community of kids that live in the wider Hastings/Havelock area that are enthusiastic on mountain biking. The use that those tracks get during the weekend is just unbelievable.
"We're really happy to see that because the idea is to try and get these kids active. While kids don't really enjoy walking or running up the peak, it is great to see that they enjoy cycling."
"Damon has been a big driver of this, being chairman of Sport Hawke's Bay, he was very much behind this."
Harvey, chairman of Sports Hawke's Bay, said he hoped it would become one of the best Mountain bike park trail network in New Zealand.
"What hasn't happened yet is that tourists wanting to mountain bike are unaware of what is one of the most unique mountain bike parks. I see a massive untapped tourism opportunity."
Chairman of the Hawke's Bay Mountain Bike Club, Scott Richardson, said they had over 2000 members and oversaw just about all mountain bike related activity in Hawke's Bay.
"It is significant because it shows the level of interest and engagement in mountain biking in our community."
He said Te Mata Peak was "tracking to become a world class destination".
"There was a lot of visionary individuals in Hawke's bay that have lobbied for four years to make it become a world class destination. It's not quite there yet and there's big plans and ambitions but it's one step at a time."
"It's great to see there's another recreational aspect to Te Mata Peak because it's really what it's all about. It's getting the most out of that hill and certainly it was always destined to become great for mountain biking and it certainly will.
"But it certainly is a long winded process and certainly it is attracting new riders and the plan is to have tracks that suit most levels of riding from easy to advanced. There's also a massive tourist loop to be built which may be next year and that will be great for tourism as well as for locals and certainly it's very exciting.
"It is significant. The aim is to have it world class so you've got a phenomenal hill with great views and a lot of history and spectacular views and
"We know as mountain bikers we have to be respectful of the history and develop trails that blend in with the natural environment but also we need to co-exist with the walking community."
Mountain biking has gained a lot of traction over the years.
"In New Zealand, there is massive growth and Te Mata Peak is getting used daily and some days there will be hundreds of riders on there so it is a significant resource for our community and also mountain bike tourism."
Mr Richardson said they hoped a bike wash facility would be built as part of a tourist loop, as bikes were reaching the five to ten thousand dollar mark.
"We've got great mountain biking options at both sides of Napier and Havelock North, which is fantastic so it's enhancing what we have already and will certainly add to the reputation of Hawke's bay as being a great place to come mountain biking."
"There's lots of very dedicated individuals who have contributed to the development. There is more to do yet and a lot of us are volunteers but there's been a lot of time, effort and energy to get this developed and without those people this wouldn't be happening and that's a great thing for the community.
"We are community minded and it already has and will only become more so, a great asset for Hawke's bay."