Hundreds ride for Pink Ribbon charity

Pink Ribbon Ride raising funds for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation in Central Auckland today. Photo / Doug Sherring

More than 500 motorbikes, scooters and trikes took part in a noisy Pink Ribbon charity ride today to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Led by a police escort, the fleet enjoyed guaranteed green lights and a rare uninterrupted ride through central Auckland. The ride began at the AMI Auckland Netball Centre in St Johns at 10.30am and continued along the waterfront and though the CBD before ending at Western Springs.

Participants decked themselves out in pink vests, ribbons, feather boas and wigs and paid a $10 entry fee to take part, with all funds going towards the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.

Rider Ildiko Juhasz took part with her husband Imre and said the ride was a lot of fun. She enjoyed riding past all the spectators who came out to watch them.

"Lots of my colleagues know and they were waiting for us at Tamaki Drive -- they gave some money as well."

Shortland Street actress and Breast Cancer Foundation ambassador Jacqueline Nairn also took part, riding pillion on a Harley Davidson.

Nairn, who plays nurse Wendy Cooper on the popular soap, said it was her first time in her life she had ever ridden a motorbike. "I thought it just awesome.

"It was for such a special cause and it's obviously a fantastic event with all these amazing people."

Since the inaugural ride in 2004, the organisation behind the event -- the Women's International Motorcycle Association -- has raised over $80,000 for the charity.