"I'm not much of a roadie [road racer]. The last few years I've done it as training, a bit of endurance, and that's what this year is again. Normally I don't get much of a chance to get out on the road and race."
Like any top-class athlete, Southorn said the event came with personal goals of winning her age group, having fun, and staying upright.
Tour sponsor BDO will also sponsor Southorn during the tour along with Advanti, who will make sure her bike is in top shape.
The tour takes in coastal scenery of Northland, heading west along the Twin Coast Discovery Trail on day one and up the Kauri Bush Trail on day two.
Riders then cut from the west to the east through the rural Northland country side, before returning to Whangarei on day four down the Coast to Coast flyer. By the end, riders will have cycled 340km over the four days.
"Daily distances are achievable," said Stephen Cox, director of Dynamo Events and former New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games cycling representative.
"With accommodation options along the tour we are limited, but we are exploring other options for the next event which would see numbers lift," he said.
It is this achievable distance that Cox credits to the success of the event, with it reaching near capacity each year.
Organisers have called for the support and understanding from other road users during the four days.
Drivers need to expect a few holdups here and there as 475-plus cyclists - 50 more than last year - sharing the road will cause some minor delays.
