Rotorua Bike Festival gets off to exhilarating start

SPEEDSTERS: Beards, Bikes and Bellies team Kirk Austin (left) and Sam Farquharson get in a warm up before the start of The Redwoods Coast event. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 140214SP5

Something for everyone at event, say organisers

After months of planning, the Rotorua Bike Festival has crossed the starting line.

The annual 10-day cycling festival kicked off yesterday with an opening ceremony and the Go By Bike and Redwoods Coasts events.

Festival spokesman Graeme Simpson said it was off to a great start and expected it to be even more successful than last year's.

"It's attracted a huge amount of interest and there's been a big increase in the number of entrants this year," he said.

"It's going to be a fantastic festival."

The variety of cycling events was one of the things that made the festival so unique, Mr Simpson said.

The event will feature family rides, mountain bike and BMX racing, downhill and bike speedway events among others.

"It includes events involving all kinds of cycling. It's cycling for everyone."

Organisers were pleased with how the first day of the festival went, with about 265 people turning out for the Go By Bike event yesterday morning, run by Sport Bay of Plenty.

Sport Bay of Plenty marketing manager Melanie Short said she was "delighted" to see so many people take part.

"It was amazing to see so many people and such a variety of people come along. We had all kinds of people, of all ages, show up," she said.

"It was a lovely atmosphere."

The Redwoods Coast event was also hailed a success, with contestants biking down a hill, without pedalling, in costumes.

There are several new additions to the festival, including the family-friendly XRace and the Ibis Bike, the Lake Summer Edition, which would see riders bike around Lake Rotorua.

Another event sure to be a highlight for some was Bike Speedway at the Government Gardens.

Bike Speedway organiser Chris Newson said the event was like a motorsport speedway, but without the engines.

"It's going to be full of fun, fast-paced action. There'll be a few thrills and crashes. It's going to be fun," he said.

Mr Simpson believed Rotorua had long had a connection with biking, particularly mountain biking, and the Bike Festival reinforced this.

"I think it helps keep Rotorua on the map as biking destination.

"It's become a place renowned for its biking and fantastic mountain bike tracks."

Mr Simpson praised the organisations and people who have helped the Bike Festival get up and running.

"It's been a community effort and that's great to see."

Deputy mayor Dave Donaldson gave a speech at the opening ceremony and thanked those who supported the event.

Mr Donaldson said he hoped people would enjoy the event.

For more information visit www.rotoruabikefestival.com.