Things are moving up a gear, only weeks out from Papakaio School’s annual mountain biking fundraiser.

The Papakaio 8 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge is happening on Saturday, February 18, and organisers are hoping the weather gods are on their side this year, after last year’s event had to be cancelled due to rain.

Riders, either in teams or individually, complete a loop-track of about 9km, continuously for eight hours. Teams could be social or competitive, committee spokesperson Fiona Nelson said.

Also included in this year's event, was a section for the increasingly popular ebikes, but these would not be eligible for podium prizes.

As per previous years, the track is constantly being updated and improved by track builders Brett Stuart of Crosscut construction, and Craig Isbister, and the men’s hard work and vision has not gone unnoticed.

Much of the 8 Hour course, which crosses over farmland at Ian and Gloria Hurst’s Willow Park property, was ridden in round one of Mountain Biking New Zealand's XC event, held on Sunday (January 15).

The track had continued to evolve from previous years, with A-lines and B-lines for different abilities, and it would be great to see how the changes were received, Fiona said.

“Our track team put in countless hours of work, and often fly under the radar, as everything is done under the canopy of the trees. But the committee and the whole of Papakaio School know that the event wouldn't be the same without them, and are truly thankful that these awesome people and their families put so much into helping the event run year after year,” she said.

Sponsorship and support from local businesses was also proving to be "amazing" once again.

“Year after year we are blown away by the dedication of numerous people in their support of our children and our event. After all they, our children, are who we all do it for.” 

Special mention went to top two sponsors Plunket Electrical and Drummond & Etheridge, she said.

Even if biking wasn’t your thing, organisers encouraged people to join the event for an “awesome” family day out. 

“Our event Village has loads of activities for the kids to do, there’s also a kids’ bike loop and a junior riders zone and loads of yummy food options on offer,” Fiona said.

Visit www.papakaio8hour.nz for further information and to register.