International pro riders Jamie Nichol, Justin Leov and Anka Martin have confirmed they will make space in their race calendar to attend this year and several first timers are also out to challenge themselves.
Last year an 11-year-old managed to ride an impressive sub-three-hour time on the Coppermine course.
The race concept was first developed by James Hufflet and Ian Goldschmidt, two local enthusiasts who were keen to showcase some of Nelson's best mountain biking. Goldschmidt believes the best part of the day is the event's relaxed nature.
"Everyone has a great time out riding and racing then at the finish line you see young first-racers sitting down next to national and international mountain biking legends comparing how their respective races went," he said.
In 2008 when it was first getting off the ground the team floated the idea to Mike Stylianou, the New Zealand Santa Cruz bike distributor from Hyperformance Hardware.
He loved the concept and agreed to put up a Santa Cruz Heckler bike as a spot prize. This was the beginning of the "Santa Cruz Coppermine".
Back then the course was extremely technical with some large carry sections, both up and down including the infamous Boulder Valley.
Two courses were offered, the Epic, which had some steep climbs and a technical section across Black Diamond Ridge, and the Coppermine, which followed the more gentle Dun Mountain rail trail, which is New Zealand's first railway line, all the way to Coppermine Saddle.
Both courses are a 40km loop.
The inaugural event attracted some of New Zealand's best athletes, with the likes of adventure racer Nathan Faavee and Olympic cyclist Robyn Reid turning up.
A total of 93 brave riders disappeared into the Nelson mineral belt for a ride of their life with the fastest rider posting an incredible 2h 20m.
The area is steeped in history with an old chromite mine and original railway sleepers and handbuilt stone retaining walls still visible in places.
Much has changed since 2008. The Coppermine track has now become part of the national cycleway and has seen a significant upgrade allowing anyone with basic mountain bike skills and a good level of fitness to be able to compete and ride the course.
This year the Big Mountain Enduro has been added as a third option. The race is for riders who prefer to start their event at the top of the hill the new Big Mountain Enduro offers a freedom ride or shuttle option.
The Enduro enables riders to race the course in stages and generally only on the downhill sections.
A lot has also stayed the same.
The Epic course is still the signature race, technical and challenging for the most competent riders.
Santa Cruz is still the major sponsor and this year gives away its seventh high-spec mountain bike.
Coppermine
When: Saturday, February 15
Where: Nelson's Trails (on the Coppermine Belt)
Event options
Coppermine Epic (40km): A huge mountain climb up to almost 900m, the sweetest single track with parts that will challenge all riders and stunning scenery.
Coppermine (40km): Traverses Nelson's stunning mineral belt and descends the fun and flowing upgraded Boulder Valley. This course has been included as part of the national cycleway project and is an excellent recreational ride. It has less climbing than the Epic and does not require the same technical skills.
Big Mountain Enduro (new this year): For those who prefer to start their event at the top of the hill the new Big Mountain Enduro offers a freedom ride or shuttle option. The BME is self-sufficient (maps provided at start), with self-timing using orienteering style log in and outs and has four separate time stages.
Epic course
Men: Tim Wilding 2:01:21 (2012)
Women: Kim Hurst 2:32:24 (2013)
Coppermine course
Men: Andrew Scott 2:05:57 (2012)
Women: Jacqui Keay 2:30:53 (2012)
Entries are open until Monday February 10. For more information visit: www.coppermine.co.nz
