Gearing up for the final challenge

Gearing up: Some of the large group of Whanganui cyclists who are entering the start of tomorrow's BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge being held for the last time. PHOTO/Stuart Munro

It is the last hurrah of the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge and Whanganui cyclists are determined not to miss out with a large group of locals tackling the 797.7km journey.

The 9th and final challenge will begin on the main street in Lower Hutt tomorrow and finishes in Pukekohe next weekend - consisting of 12 stages, two per day, averaging 110km per day.

Brian Hayward, Debbie Cain and Rob Manson have mounted up for the last two years, and other former entrants like John Black, Clint Black, Laurika Hazelhurst, Allan Luff, and Craig Yorston are all returning for another go.

They will be joined by first timers Kerry Bennett, Darcy Forrester, Pat Johnstone, Murray McDonald, Marsh Tangaroa, Paddi Thurlow, John Hickey, Rachael Hooks, and Waverley's Bruce Middleton, while Dave Collins will be in one of the corporate teams who each ride specific sections.

"This is the last time they're going to be holding it because of the new health and safety regulations," said Hayward.

"For some it's their third tour, for others it's their first."

A section of racing can be anywhere from 38km to 122km long through all kinds of terrain, most notably the rugged hill climbs like the Rimutuka Hills on the first stage to Featherstone, or the Kakatahi to Ohakune section with 7km of steady climbing.

Cain said as well as the trek itself, they had to take their bikes back to their accommodations and return to the start lines every time, which adds to the distance.

"I GPS'd it. It was 900km."

The draw card of being the last race has brought out the numbers as individual riders fit into A, B, and C categories, starting with the most serious athletes through to those who just want to challenge themselves to finish.

Last year's challenge only had 74 individual riders, whereas this year around 190 will be taking part, which with the corporate teams of various sizes takes the total entry list to around 280 in total.

The tour riders will arrive in Whanganui on Eastown Rd around 12.30pm on Tuesday, and departs for Kakatahi from the Velodrome at 8.30am on Wednesday.