Offensive graffiti reading "die road bikers" has shocked entrants involved in a charity cycle race.
And participants in the Tour de Whitemans race in Upper Hutt yesterday were subject to more than just vicious words.
Hundreds of tacks were deliberately scattered in their path, causing more than 40 punctures.
Event Organiser John Beere said the malicious attack put a dampener on spirits, but no riderw were hurt.
In spite of the attack the event was successful, and more then $10,000 was raised for Te Omanga Hospice in Lower Hutt, he said.
