New course hit with riders

Riders in the 50km race roll on. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's premier cycling event celebrated its 25th anniversary yesterday as hundreds of riders enjoyed the scenic sights of the Bay's countryside.

The always-popular Tour of the Bay race drew more than 40 cyclists from Wellington to the event.

Based at Guthrie Park in Havelock North, the Strata Group-sponsored 100km and 50km solo and tandem races involved riders cycling through the Tukituki Valley while the shorter 10km and 20km rides encompassed the picturesque roads around Havelock North.

Traffic management co-ordinator Ivan Aplin said the day went very well, there were no injuries or incidents and most riders were in before the wind got up.

Mr Aplin said the feedback received regarding the new course was very positive.

"It was a very pleasant day and the riders said it was a great course."

In conjunction with the Tour of the Bay, the Bennelong Mountain Bike Club organised and ran a four-stage mountain bike ride around Havelock North and Te Mata Peak.

Prizes in the Hawke's Bay Today-supported event ranged from bikes from The Hub Cycle Centre, tablets, Nutri Ninjas, Go Pros, coffee machines, Soda Streams, waffle makers, MP3s, selfie-sticks, McDonald's vouchers, and Splash Planet, Laserforce and movie family passes.

Nicholas Monroy won the coveted 100km race trophy with a time of 2 hours and 38 minutes.