Free classes to encourage new cyclists

Real Estate agent James Alexander, left, and President of Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Gregg Brown. Photo / Thomas Falconer

Rotorua is widely known as New Zealand's mountain biking capital, but one enthusiast reckons more locals should give the sport a go and has come up with a way to encourage people to do so.

Rotorua mountain biking enthusiast James Alexander will be running free weekly Give it a Go mountain bike classes at the Waipa Mountain Bike Car Park for those interested in hitting the trails.

The classes begin next Tuesday and will usually run every second Wednesday of the month from 6pm to 7.30pm, open for anyone aged eight and up.

Mr Alexander has been an avid mountain biker for 25 years and said it was time he gave something back to the Rotorua community.

He has been living in and out of Rotorua for years, but recently decided to move back for the mountain biking.

"Rotorua never left my mind the whole time I was away. It etched a corner in my mind and I never stopped thinking about it.

"The lure back was in essence because of mountain biking and what it provides. The social aspect, the adrenalin, the adventure, the sheer fun and freedom it provides," he said.

Since moving back he got involved with looking after and maintaining a popular mountain bike trail in the forest but said he wanted to do more.

"We have a world class mountain bike facility right here on the city fringe.

"The Redwoods has over 150km of purpose built mountain bike trails. It is literally world class. The most incredible thing about it is it costs the public not even one single cent to use it."

Mr Alexander said people might be intimidated to try the sport.

"The common comment is 'mountain biking - those guys are nutters', well yes, we are, but it doesn't have to be all out jumps, back flips and carnage crashes like we see on the TV."

Mr Alexander said he wanted to get people out of their houses, on to bikes and into the forest, in a safe, controlled manner.

Mountain Bike Rotorua will offer a special rate on bike hire for those registered.

Classes will be limited to the first 20 people who register via email. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

*For more information, contact james.alexander@raywhite.com or call (021) 878 178.