It's affectionately know by locals as "Going round the block".  The ride includes the notorious Paekakariki Hill climb - the Haywards Hill climb and the long 20km grind to the Akatarawa saddle.

The 2009 event was the first time ever an event of this nature has been allowed over the 95k circuit used by many high performance cyclists as preparation for international events.

The Paekakariki Hill climb - 20km into the challenge - is a stretch of road that has featured highly in New Zealand's cycling history.  It was a big part of the Palmerston North to Wellington Classic that started way back in 1926 and was one of the premier cycling events in the country for many many years (see photo from 1936 below).  It was also a crucial strategic climb in the the world class Dulux Six Day Cycle Race between Auckland and Wellington that began in 1960.

The course is also the focal point for much activity by local cycling clubs: 

The Kapiti Cycle Club members use the course as one of their informal weekly rides.

The various climbs on the course have ben used as events in themselves.  The 21.6km climb from Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt to the Akatarawa Saddle is a hotly contested event put on by the Wellington Veterans Cycle Club.  As is the shorter but steeper climb on the other side of the hill - from Waikanae to the summit.

The Port Nicholson Poneke Cycling Club used to run the Rice Mountain Classic over the same course. With none other than one Hayden Roulston winning the event in 1998 when the start/finish was at the top of the Haywards hill.  They still run the Rice Mountain Classic - but it is held in the Wairarapa nowadays.  

1936 First to the Top of Paekakariki Hill... W Evans of Wellington who finished forth in the Palmerston Nth to Petone road race was the first to the summit. He took 13 minutes to climb the hill

Photos Courtesy of PNP Cycling Club