Motorcade begins to farewell dead Tauranga biker

Riders from the Rebels Motorcycle Club flank the body of Craig Ritchie as it travels in convoy around Tauranga on the way to his final resting place at Pyes Pa. Photo/John Borren

A heavy motorcade has begun to make its way through Tauranga and Mount Maunganui today in tribute to Craig Ritchie who died while riding his motorcyle on Friday night.

Craig Ritchie died in a motorbike accident last week. Photo/supplied

The motorcade began about 12pm at Mr Ritchie's tattooing business in Roxanne Place, Windermere before travelling through Tauranga and Mount Maunganui on the way to Pyes Pa, where Mr Ritchie will be farewelled in a private burial this afternoon.

About 40 bikes were part of the convoy, which was being filmed by police as it set out.

Several riders were not wearing helmets.

Mr Ritchie was a patched member of the Rebels New Zealand Motocycle Club but was killed with his bike collided with a truck on State Highway 2, near Gill Lane.

Mr Ritchie's partner of six years Samantha Neilsen, 28, said he lived for his family and his passion for riding motorbikes.

The couple have three daughters, whom Mr Ritchie 'adored', she said.