Rotorua Bike Festival clicks into gear tomorrow
13 February 2014
Events on Friday 14 February:
Go By Bike Day
A great way to start the 10 day event is with Sport Bay of Plenty's Go by Bike Day. Local people are encouraged to bike to school and work. There are four checkpoints around the city:
- Westend New World carpark
- Outside Hunting & Fishing on Koutu corner
- Outside I Love Soap on Tarawera Road
- City Focus.
Turn up on your bike to receive some goodies and enter the draw to be in to win a mountain bike!
The Redwoods Coast
The Redwoods Coast is on Nursery Hill and Long Mile Road. There's no pedalling - it's all about momentum with speeds up to 70kph recorded in 2013. It's a light-hearted and colourful event, with a competitive edge. Entry is gold coin with proceeds going to medical supplies at Mountain Bike Rotorua at Waipa.
More action!
The action continues in the weekend with a full programme of events covering all the bases of cycling.
Events on Saturday and Sunday range from the 2014 National Mountain Bike Championships, to BMX Rotorua's club meeting and Pump time trial, Bike Polo, Bike the Lake, XRACE, Frocks on Bikes and the New Zealand Home Loans Fun Family Ride.
Councillor Dave Donaldson, who is on the Bike Festival Trust, said the beauty of the festival is that there's cycling for everyone, and a lot of events are run by enthusiastic volunteers.
"There are events for the competitive racers and the social weekend warriors, right through to beginners and casual cyclists.
"So many of these events are perfect and spectacular for spectators. There's even talk of hecklers' corners to raise the noise levels on the cross-country and downhill courses at the National Champs this weekend."
Events like OGO Dual Slalom, Yeah Boi Sick, Shweeb World Championships at Agroventures and the Skyline Sprint Warrior all offer great action for non-cyclists.
"One event we are all looking forward to is Bike Speedway at Government Gardens on Monday evening. Last year, the final featured four of New Zealand's top mountain bikers including Rotorua favourite, Garth Weinberg, the 2010 Singlespeed World Champion," said Cr Donaldson.
For more information on the 2014 Rotorua Bike Festival click here