Rotorua Bike Festival: Six days to go

Rotorua deputy mayor Dave "Reno 911" Donaldson (left) and Tim "The Joker" Farmer get set for the Rotorua Bike Festival's Redwood Coast event next Friday. Photograph by Stephen Parker

With only six days to go until the start of the Rotorua Bike Festival, organisers are getting excited with more events and more entrants expected this year.

From high-level national mountain biking championships and super-slick road racing events to family-friendly events like Frocks on Bikes and Tykes on Trikes, Rotorua becomes the nation's cycling capital for the 10-day festival.

The festival kicks off with Sport Bay of Plenty's Go by Bike to breakfast and the Redwoods Coast next Friday and is followed by nine more exciting days of cycling action.

ALL SORTS: Bike polo was one of the more unusual events last year and is back again for this year's festival.

Rotorua District Council events & venues manager Martin Croft said with two major events already sold out and the moving of events such as the Ibis Bike the Lake to fit in with the festival, officials were optimistic about the event's future.

"The council has made a long-term commitment to the festival which will showcase the city as a cycling destination.

"A lot of appreciation has to go to the work of the festival trust, who are all volunteers and have done a great job. It's always a challenge to get events like this happening."

Rotorua Bike Festival Trust deputy chairman and Rotorua deputy mayor Dave Donaldson said the festival team were pleased with the age range of riders involved in different events.

"We've talked about it being for cyclists from 6 to 70 and we're not far off the mark," Mr Donaldson said.

"Not only in competitive events like the nationals, but also people getting on their bikes and enjoying themselves.

"I get asked every day about how it's going ... there's lots of excitement out there."

Mr Donaldson said the buzz around the event was a lot louder this year.

"A lot of riders are coming into town for the opening weekend, then staying on.

"For the serious riders, there will be the chance to let their hair down at more light-hearted events like the Redwoods Coast, bike speedway and the Yeah Boi Sick race, before getting their race faces back on for the OGO Dual Slalom, Sprint Warrior and Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the end of the week," he said.

Bike Festival media spokesman Graeme Simpson said the first festival held last year set a successful benchmark for the future.

"That's been a major part of why the 2014 festival is such a big step up.

"Interest is high from bikers and the media and the Facebook page is closing in on 5000 likes after just 18 months.

"Entry numbers over all the events will be up between 1500 and 2000 on last year.

"Two events sold out a month ago and others are reporting entry levels well up on expectations.

"What's great about this year is everyone involved in making the first one a success - and building the brand - is back in 2014.

"From organisers, to our media and design team, photographers, festival sponsors, they're all back."

Mr Simpson said the organisers' focus on "cycling for everyone" became a reality this year with road, BMX and mountain bike events and things to do for all ages, genders and skill levels.

"Getting on your bike to race or just roll out to watch events - that's what our festival is all about."

The 10-day festival runs from Friday, February 14 through to Sunday, February 23.

For more information, visit www.rotoruabikefestival.com.