A Dads and Lads mountain biking camp held earlier this month was well received, with nine people attending.

The weekend camp, held in Taupō, saw local ‘dads and lads’ teams take on two mountain bike rides - 120km and 13km - on tracks around Taupō.

The initiative was organised by Whakatāne Bluelight and funded by the Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme. It aimed to give participants a chance to experience new rides and help kids build on skills learned at the BikeReady programme offered in schools.

The children helped upskill and encourage their dads in cycling and getting out in the outdoors.

"It was great to see men and their boys bonding over the weekend," Bluelight co-ordinator Richard Hamer says.

"They had a lot of fun and learned some new skills. Any event that results in strengthened connections between dads and lads is a success."

Lorreen Hartley, of the Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme, says cycling skills in a whole range of environments is a key priority. "It's even better when the whānau is involved."

The dads and lads stayed at the Bluelight Lodge in Taupō. The weekend also included visits to Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids, a hot soak at the De Bretts thermal complex and a Men in Black movie.