Southland man John Agnew reckons the MLT Moonshine Trail is one of the best multi-sport events in Southland. 

And he should know. Not only has he entered the MLT Moonshine Trail at least 11 times (he reckons it is probably more), he has also given most other local mountain bike events a try in the past 15 years. 

Mountainbiking is his passion – each week he heads out for training rides near his home in Otatara, clocking up 30-40kms “a couple of times a week”. 

At 70-years-young, he reckons it is the biking – he also does some road biking – that keeps him fit and healthy. And able to take part in events like the MLT Moonshine Trail on February 25, and a few weeks later, the Motatapu, on March 4. 

This year he has signed up for the 39km mountainbike section of the Moonshine Trail and is encouraging other keen mountain bikers to sign up too. 

“It is probably one of the best local events.” 

“It’s just a really good event.” 

He rates the course as a good challenge for experienced mountain bikers, but reckons people just starting out would be able to give it a good shake too “as long as their fitness is up to it,”. 

“Courses have got to be rideable and mixed in with that we’ve got to have something that's a wee bit challenging, and with the Moonshine there’s good hills all the way through and there’s a wee bit of expertise required (but it’s not impossible). It’s just a great course.” 

For more information about the MLT Moonshine Trail or to register head to http://www.moonshinetrail.co.nz/ 

For more information about the Motatapu, head to https://motatapu.com/ 

Article added: Friday 10 February 2023