The fourth annual New Zealand Bike Week opens at noon today and will cater for about 55 pre-registered off-road and on-road motorcyclists, as well as those joining in on a daily basis.
Organising committee member Dave Moreton said about 50% of the registered riders came from the North Island this year, some from as far as Auckland.
Those who participated often returned to the event and enjoyed the lower numbers.
''One hundred and fifty people would be our cap. The people who come don't want it to get any bigger. They want it to be family-sized.''
The event, which is supported by the Cromwell Community Board, includes day rides of up to 500km to locations such as Oamaru, Mt Cook, Haast and the Nevis Valley.
Mr Moreton said Bannockburn was the perfect location to host the event.
''We have the best roads and scenery in the country for riding around here. That's the main reason we base it here.''
The event was targeted at the older motorcycle-riding age group, as it suited people who could commit a whole week to enjoying the riding.
Members of the public who were not registered could attend events such as bikekhana and the thunder ride tomorrow afternoon, and entertainment and guest speaker evenings at the Bannockburn Hotel, where the event was based, plus a track ride at Highlands Motorsport Park on Tuesday.
The event finishes on Thursday to allow riders to attend the Vincent County Motorcycle rally at Galloway, near Alexandra.
