The inaugural Tour de Wakatipu planned for Easter Saturday could attract as many as 700 competitors, with more than 500 already entered.
Southern Traverse director Geoff Hunt said the 45km New World-sponsored event, which caters for elite, sport and recreational mountain bikers, would take in previously inaccessible parts of the district, traversing a course from Millbrook Resort to Chard Farm.
The event had "caught the imagination of people from all over the region and other parts of the South Island," Mr Hunt said.
"This is an event which offers people exclusive access to the right bank of the Kawarau River.
"The chance to go to places which are usually off limits has created a huge response with more than half the field entered in the recreational division.
"This indicates clearly the demand from `social athletes' for events of this nature and we are pleased to be able to provide a course which suits all levels."
The start line for the April 11 event is at Millbrook Resort and the course leads to Speargrass Flat Rd and over Slopehill Rd to a single track alongside the Shotover River.
From there bikers head across the restored Lower Shotover Bridge, before joining the Kawarau River track via the Shotover delta.
Bikers would then follow a short section of state highway to the privately owned Kawarau River road on Coneburn Station, finishing at Chard Farm.
The sport and elite competitors would also ride around the Lake Hayes track as part of the overall course, Mr Hunt said.
"It is a privilege to be able to stage this mountain bike ride over such a great course and it is thanks to Millbrook, the Wakatipu Trails Trust, local landowners and the Department of Conservation that it is happening."
•To enter online visit www.tourdewakatipu.co.nz
Entries close on April 5.
