Cycling: Bikers flock to forest trails for Moonride

Last year's NZO Moonride.

Hundreds of mountain bikers will be hoping for a clear and starry night tomorrow as they take part in NZO Moonride at Whakarewarewa Forest.

Riders from around the country will be testing their endurance on the forest's trails - and for many, much of it will be done under the cover of darkness.

Relay teams and individuals are challenged to complete as many laps as possible of a 9km circuit within a six, 12, or 24-hour period.

For those tackling the 24-hour event, race time is 10pm tomorrow, and overnight riders will camp along the trails to try and snatch some rest between laps.

Rotorua resident Jack Shallard knows more than most about the Moonride: he has ridden in the event 16 times, and last year wrote an article to commemorate its 20th anniversary.

He said the event had a special appeal that kept him coming back for more.

"It is one of those things that you vow to never do again - and then a day or two later you have forgotten and start thinking about next year," he said.

"It's an amazing event with a history and a culture of its own.

"There have been some incredible times when people have brought their own spa baths - there is usually something a bit different. It's an experience, an event, and a challenge."

In his piece on the history of the race, Shallard described how night riding had changed from the days of "heavy motorbike batteries and innovative home-made lights" to today's powerful LED headtorches.

The first Moonrides took place at the Agrodome, and the event spent three years at Arawa racecourse.

For the last 14 years, it has been based at the Waipa Mountain Bike Recreation Area at Whakarewarewa.

Event promotions marketing manager Charlotte Pearson said the Moonride was "a really cool team event for groups of friends or workmates".

The race date was switched last year from mid-winter to March after previous problems with bad weather, and Pearson said the seasonal change had been a popular decision that had made the race "better for everyone".

She predicted more than 700 riders would be taking part in this year's race, with about 150 teams and 40 solo riders.

Gary Sullivan, owner of event sponsors NZO, praised the inclusiveness of the Moonride.

"The format means that anybody can be in it and have a good time. Everybody's little campsite is on the racecourse, so there is stuff to watch all day and night.

"It's a really neat social event."

The 24-hour event starts at 10pm tomorrow from the Waipa car park. The six and 12-hour events start at 10am, Saturday.