Strong interest in new bike events

Mark Gould.
Mark Gould.
Two new Wanaka cycling events are drawing strong entries, as people trade skis for wheels.

The inaugural Wanaka 10 Hour mountain bike race tomorrow on the 11km Deans Bank track at Albert Town has attracted more than 200 entries, comprising 50 teams and more than 30 individuals.

Bike Wanaka president Mark Gould said he was very pleased with the entries.

Meanwhile, the first women-only road race, the Southern Lakes Tour de Femme, was being held on the Crown Range Road on November 5 and had attracted at least 70 entries, Highland Events director Ed Stevens said this week.

Mr Gould said the Wanaka 10 Hour would become the Wanaka 12 Hour next year.

"If we had done 12 hours, we wouldn't have been finished before the Rugby World Cup final at 9pm." The event is part of Wanakafest activities and replaces Bike Wanaka's urban downhill race at previous spring festivals.

Bike Wanaka would donate some of its proceeds to the Wanakafest trust and the remainder would be used to buy gear for the club and to do track work.

The club would set up camp at the Albert Town camping ground during the race, with food, coffee and music, Mr Gould said.

Mr Stevens said the women-only road race was organised because feedback suggested women wanted to race or ride recreationally without men.

"I would have to say that at this stage, most of the entries are from Dunedin and the lower half of the South Island. There are virtually none from Wanaka yet." Mr Stevens said he was encouraged by the entries to date.

The Southern Lakes Tour de Femme has three categories: a social team ride from Wanaka to Cardrona and return, requiring participants to ride 22km each; a 44km recreational road ride on the same course, and a 70km competitive race from Wanaka to the top of the Crown Range and back.

 

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