Mountain biking: Moonriders take on lap after lap

A bunch of hearty souls have taken on a true test of endurance and mental strength in the Whakarewarewa Forest.

Saturday's Craigs Investment Partners Moonride included a six-hour and 12-hour race which competitors tackled in teams of two to five or solo.

The winner of the open 12-hour solo race was Nic Adams of Hamilton, who completed 24 laps of the 8km course through the Whakarewarewa Forest trails.

Team Cycle Obsession Mount Maunganui finished 31 laps between them to take first in the 12-hour open teams' race.

In the six-hour solo race, Wellington's Wade Jennings finished first with 13 laps.

Jennings said it was "a great day".

"Six hours solo is a long time and I think because you don't have teammates in the village you don't really know where you are or who's chasing you. I thought someone was chasing me for the last part so I had to go quite fast towards the end," he said.

He said his only plan going into the event was to be consistent.

"I think with being solo just consistent laps is what I was after, you just keep pedalling away. With this course it was about getting to the top of the Pig Track, which was quite an ugly climb. Each lap was just about focusing on getting there."

Auckland's Kim Sutherland was the best of the female riders in the six-hour race, finishing 11 laps in the allotted time.

She said she entered to "find out how unfit I was".

"I'm pretty happy with my result, I was aiming for 12 laps. I've done a few six-hour and a couple of 12-hour events. I really enjoy it and I think I thrive on the pain and the challenge.

What a Day!!! The Craig's Investment Partners Moonride is underway! Come on down and check out the action. It's a stunning day and awesome atmosphere.

Posted by Event Promotions on Friday, 9 March 2018

"The course was awesome, a couple of little pinch climbs and some nice twisty, turny single track, it was good," Sutherland said.

The six-hour open teams' race was won by two-man team Matamata Finale, who completed 14 laps.

Craigs Investment Partners Moonride winners

12 hour
Solo: Nic Adams, 24 laps
Open teams: Cycle Obsession Mt M, 31 laps
Female teams: Cyclone Rangers, 19 laps
Mixed teams: Pollards Mens Apparel, 23 laps
Junior teams: Hamilton Lads, 28 laps
Older dudes: The International, 27 laps
Trade teams: Hi Flyers, 24 laps

Six hour
Solo: Wade Jennings, 13 laps
Open teams: Matamata Finale, 14 laps
Female teams: Cycle Obsessed Ladies, 10 laps
Mixed teams: Hicks Racing, 13 laps
Junior teams: H-twn Hoon Bugs, 12 laps