Weather affects bike festival

Tykes on Trikes event at the Village Green has been cancelled due to weather. Photo/File

After three years of perfect weather and a record-breaking opening weekend the Rotorua Bike Festival is being affected by heavy rain and strong winds.

Today's Sport Bay of Plenty Tykes on Trikes has been cancelled and Revolve Rotorua's Dipper Dash is postponed.

"It's the first time in 6 years we've cancelled," said Tykes on Trikes, organiser, Kirsty Carling.

"But we'll be back at the Festival in 2017."

The Dipper Dash will be rescheduled till March.

"It's still part of the Festival, just not this week," said David Crowley from the Bike Festival Charitable Trust.

"We'll be supporting it whenever it is," he said.

The festival team are keeping a close watch on the weather.

Orienteering Bay of Plenty's MTB Adventure Quest is on from 4pm tomorrow evening and the Skyline Sprint Warrior is scheduled for all day Friday.

"The event organisers will make the calls on these in the next 24 hours with the festival's full backing," Mr Crowley said.

"We'll get the word out on our Facebook page."

The opening 5 days of the festival were a resounding success with well over 4000 people participating in a wide range of different events.

The forecast is fine for the weekend and this number will increase.

Saturday features Sport Bay of Plenty's Family Fun Ride, from 9am in the Government Gardens.

It's open to all and free.

On Mountain Road on Mount Ngongotaha Cycling Rotorua will be running a Hill Climb Fun Challenge starting at noon and entry $5 on the day.

The WEMBO 24 hour Solo World Championships start at midday, alongside the Niner Bikes 24 Hours of Nduro. Entry is still open for both.

Frocks on Bikes wraps up the festival with a leisurely ride to Ngongotaha and back on the cycleway from 11am to 2pm on Sunday starting from the Rotorua Lakes Council car park.

"We want all Rotorua bikers to get out and ride or watch these events," said Mr Crowley.

"Even with this weather, it's been another brilliant festival."