Champions plan on coasting to victory once again

Sam Farquharson and Kirk Austin on Sidehack I last year. Photo / Alick Saunders

It will be the "Clash of the Tandems" during the Redwoods Coast at the Rotorua Bike Festival in February.

The Redwoods Coast was a hit at the first two festivals with large crowds of spectators and it's returning this year in all of its lycra glory.

Riders start at the top of a steep, tar-sealed hill at the northern entrance to Rotorua's world-renowned Whakarewarewa Mountain Bike Park.

No pedalling is allowed and whoever coasts furthest down Nursery Rd and on to Long Mile Rd is the winner.

Rotorua deputy mayor Dave Donaldson piloted the "X-Men" tandem to victory in the two-person category in 2013, with passenger Martin Croft on the back.

"It's an oxymoron of a 'race' really," Mr Donaldson said.

"You start slow, gather speed - substantial speed - and coast, increasingly slowly, to a climactic stop.

"The coast is also a great leveller with zero training required and minimum rules. It's all about technology and tactics," he said.

Last year, Sam Farquharson and Kirk Austin on "Sidehack I" decisively defeated the X-Men.

Mr Farquharson was enthusiastic about the coast format.

"It's a great race as it's relatively compact and the spectators can get up close - or as close as they dare - to the racers and really make some noise.

"Also, it's great for unfit people, like myself, because a sausage before the race actually helps your results, it doesn't hinder them."

The festival begins on Friday, February 13 with the Go by Bike event in the morning and Ride the Runway and the Flying Kilo at the Rotorua Airport in the evening.

All events are free to watch and many are free, or cost just a gold coin to enter.

-For all you need to know about the bike festival visit www.rotoruabikefestival.com, or go to www.facebook.com/RotoruaBikeFestival.