Two major biking events in Queenstown this weekend should be fun for both recreational and elite riders, as the inaugural Queenstown Bike Festival draws to a close.
The third annual New World Tour de Wakatipu, being held today, has attracted about 620 entries, down slightly on last year, primarily due to the Christchurch earthquake.
Race director Geoff Hunt said the race would start at Millbrook and finish at Chard Farm winery, taking competitors through the rural area, over rivers, along a gravel track and through the private Kawarau River Rd.
The private track offered people a "once-in-a-year chance" to ride through Coneburn Station.
"The scenery is brilliant through here and we are very fortunate that the landowner, Steve Laing, is prepared to open it up. We are also grateful to landowner Mike Mee for allowing us access through his private property."
The recreational ride would cover 36km, while elite and sports riders had an additional 8km loop of the Lake Hayes track.
The event caters for all riders in age-group categories, including a junior division. The elite and sport riders will pedal away from the start at 9am today and the recreational riders will follow one hour later.
Queenstown rider Mark Williams, who won both previous Tour de Wakatipu events, says he will be back to defend his title.
"I love this race because of the atmosphere and the scenery. It's definitely a great feeling of camaraderie out there and the rivalry is pretty friendly.
"However, there will be some strong competition in the elite section this year with some top-class riders competing."
• The practice for the exciting Dirtmasters Downhill in the Ben Lomond Forest was held yesterday.
The qualifying rounds will start at 9am today and the finals will start at 2pm tomorrow.
"This event is going to be spectacular. This is the only gondola-assisted downhill in New Zealand," Mr Hunt said.
"We have some top riders entering, and the finale on Sunday downtown in the centre of Brecon St will be huge."
Riders will speed downhill on a challenging 3km course starting in the forest near the top of the Skyline Gondola, heading downhill through the old Queenstown camping ground, along Man St. They will finish by riding down the three flights of steps at Brecon St.
Queenstown rider Oscar Tatom, who has had a successful junior career competing on the national circuit and is now riding in the open men's category, said there should be some "class competition".
