Taupō Mountain Bike Club's popular Summer Series returns

Riders assemble at the main Karapiti Rd Craters carpark for the Taupo Mountainbike Club Pack & Pedal Summer Series. Photo / File

There's a small but significant change to the perennial bikers' favourite, the Taupō Mountain Bike Club's Pack & Pedal Summer Series, this year.

To make life easier for the volunteers who run the series and to save time each night, entries for the 2021 summer series will be online only. That means registering online ahead of time rather than turning up with cash and expecting to enter on the spot.

That aside, all other important details remain similar to previous years' summer series events. There will be eight races in this series, beginning on Thursday, January 28 and running until Thursday, March 18, and the races will cater for all types of biker. From the littlest kids to the fastest guns, there's a course for everyone.

However, you don't have to race. With its social focus, many people participate simply to meet other riders and enjoy the family atmosphere. E-bikers are also welcome. Last year around 150 riders participated.

The emphasis is on having a go and enjoying yourself and the sport. You don't have to be a mountain bike club member to participate, although members are offered discounted entry. Adult entry for the series is $55 for club members and $85 for non members, with discounts for youth.

There are two timed courses for adults and youths - the short course is around 8km on grade 2 and 3 trails; and for those looking for more of a challenge the 12km long course tackles an extra climb or two and has a more technical trail. E-bikers are timed as a separate category.

The Summer Series is open to riders of all ages and abilities. Photo / File

The minimum age for short course riders is 10 years and 12 years for long course riders. All youth riders must be able to complete their entire course unaccompanied.

For younger riders, the Rockets course is around 5km on the grade 2 Tourist Trap track and the Sprockets course is around 3km on Tourist Trap and Piker shortcut. Children's races are not timed as they are aimed at children having fun and building up their skills. The cost is $15 for club members and $25 for non-members.

The Rockets and Sprockets courses are separate from the other trails and an adult mountain biker always leads the group with another following at the back. Young children and those on runner bikes are accompanied by their parents.

Entrants register at the original Craters dirt carpark area off Karapiti Rd from 5.15pm to 5.45pm and races start from 6pm (e-bikers from 5.45pm). Mr Whippy icecreams will be available. You must pre-enter online before January 26.

For more information go to: mountainbiketaupo.org.nz or find Taupō Mountain Bike Club on Facebook.