November's Taupo Cycle Challenge will include two mountain bike tracks. Photo / Supplied
A new mountain-biking category is being introduced for the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge this year.
Organisers of New Zealand's largest cycling event said rebuilding of two mountain bike tracks through Wairakei Forest, one 40km and one 85km, was being done north of Taupo.
Mountain biking has been part of
the event since 2008, but organisers said that after bad weather at the beginning of the year the tracks had to be rebuilt to cater to the demand.
"As mountain biking is a growing cycling discipline, it's important ... we offer off-road options as part of our categories to choose from," a cycle challenge spokesman said.
"It caters to all levels, from elite athletes to any level of cyclist wanting to challenge themselves."
