It is both a race and a leisure ride, aimed at cyclists of all skill levels.
The event was first run on 11 December 2011, and attracted approximately 4000 cyclists, despite the high wind that often buffets the Harbour Bridge.
[2] Cycling over the Harbour Bridge (which usually does not allow pedestrians or cyclists) was proposed soon after its completion in 1959, and many riders attempted it illegally.
Due to the vehicle-centric design of the bridge, that was deemed impractical until the TelstraClear Challenge was successfully pitched to the NZ Transport Agency.
[5] The organisers hope for it to become seen as the cycling equivalent of the Auckland Marathon, a running event that also goes over the Harbour Bridge.