Mountain Biking: Bike and beauty enthusiasts setting off

Eight hours in paradise. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

It is one of the most stunning parts of New Zealand and today around 200 mountain bikers will enjoy the scenery and the challenge of the Patagonia 8hrs@Jack's Point.

The Queenstown event was born last year with the idea of having a fun relay-type mountain race in a world-class setting.

In the inaugural year 50 teams of four competed around the trails that take in the scenery of Lake Wakatipu and have The Remarkables as a backdrop.

The race consists of completing as many laps of the 7.1km track as possible as a team within the eight hour time limit.

Organisers expect a similar number of teams today for the ride that weaves around the world class Jack's Point Golf Course.

"The team atmosphere and camaraderie are what makes it special," said race director Geoff Hunt of Queenstown events company Southern Traverse.

"All of the teams are parked in one spot and come through a camp so it makes it very social when the riders come through the transition."

For the elite teams the 7.1km track takes around 27 minutes to complete, translating to around 16 laps in the eight hour timeframe, or four laps each.

Riders can complete the eight hours in the individual or team's categories with divisions for junior (16-19), open and veterans (Over 45).

Teams can be made up of two, three or four people and have the divisions of Junior, Open men's, Open women's, Veterans and Mixed.

Rouge Mantis won the open men last year with a blistering speed of around 24 minutes in the opening nine laps - they went on to complete 18 laps.

There is also the option to ride for eight hours as an individual.

There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the world class location with fine conditions predicted.

"It has been beautiful down here," concluded Hunt.

"There is not a breath of wind, the lake is perfectly calm, it's about 22 degrees and there is still snow on The Remarkables - I can't think where else you'd want to be."