Bike challenge bonds teams on scenic NI tour

THe BDO Wellington to Auckland cycle challenge has been ridden every February for 5 years and raises money for charity.

It is billed as the best way to "discover the North Island of New Zealand from the seat of a bike".

The sixth annual BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Corporate Challenge is fast growing a reputation as the ultimate team challenge and one of New Zealand's iconic cycling races.

In the Corporate Team Challenge, which will be staged from February 9 to 15 next year, teams compete for $100,000 to donate to a charity of their choice and bragging rights as national champions.

Riders of all abilities, from weekend warriors to masters to international competitors, will cycle a combined 700km in this unique 13-stage, seven-day event.

The fastest team on each stage earns points and the team that finishes with the most points overall wins $100,000 for their charity.

The Cycle Challenge will depart from Lower Hutt's main street. Riders will complete two stages each day, covering anywhere from 38km to 122km, all the way to Pukekohe.

Kim Reyburn, the owner of myBike Whangarei, took part in the event in 2012 and is gearing up for February. The 38-year-old from Northland says the BDO Challenge is a real experience.

"The first day I guess you turn up to the start line a little anxious wondering why on earth you have been talked into something as outrageous as this, and what were you thinking," she said.

"But when you get started you realise you are not the only one thinking like this and start to relax. The organisers of the event do an amazing job and quickly put you at ease with how professionally run the event is. You can relax knowing that the number one thing on their minds is everyone's safety."

David Collins, the operations manager at Cycle Sport NZ Ltd, also can't wait to give the challenge another crack.

"It's a great event," said 49-year-old Collins from Wanganui.

"There is good support from the organisers and marshals. You meet lots of nice people and you can make it a race if you wish within the start group."

Each team must have a minimum of three riders per stage and a maximum of six.

Riders may be interchanged throughout each stage. Many riders in previous years have chosen to ride multiple stages or ridden the whole week.

A team could have as many as 42 riders take part over the week - riding one stage or multiple stages - which adds to the camaraderie and social element of the event.

It's not just about cycling as there will be spot prizes, dinners, drinks and social events to enjoy with the fellow cyclists on the 700km journey.

Reyburn said she has met so many people on this tour.

"After the first day when your little groups start to form and you become more familiar with the people around you, a real sense of camaraderie seems to develop and you start to look out for one another whether you are doing it socially or more serious."

Collins added: "You meet people of the same fitness and riding ability so there's always people to ride with. It is a lot of fun in a big group."

Spot prizes are up for grabs for tenacity, sportsmanlike behaviour and hilarity.

On the final day there will be a barbeque and cold drinks waiting at the finish line for riders to relax and mingle.

Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand is the nominated charity of the BDO 2014 and every athlete supports MS by registering an online funding page for the BDO Cycle Challenge.

Each team can be made up of employees, customers or invited guests of an organisation.

Training for the BDO Challenge is half the adventure.

It is a great bonding time for workmates as they get together for training rides and mentor riders who are starting out.

For more information: http://www.dynamoevents.co.nz