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Biking Goes Wild in February

Thursday 22 January 2009, 2:05PM

By New Plymouth District Council

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NEW PLYMOUTH

Hold onto your handlebars: The Wild West Bike Fest is coming our way next month.

A variety of bike-themed events have been planned throughout February to mark Bikewise Month, to encourage people of all ages to hop on a bicycle and have fun.

“It’s all about enjoyment and encouraging people to give cycling a go – and if they’re already cyclists, to get on their bike even more often,” says Sustainable Transport Coordinator Nathaniel Benefield.

“We’ve got events for mountain bikers, families, workers and those who’d like to try a bit of orienteering with their cycling, as well as cycle-themed art for children, documentaries about cycling and a car-free street party.

“It’s all go for February – it should be a lot of fun!”

Details of the month-long programme are available from the Civic Centre and on this website's Events Calendar.

The Wild West Bike Fest 2009 features:

The Bikewise Business Battle (1-28 February)
Get as many of your colleagues as possible to hop on a bike (cycling to and from work is ideal). The more times they ride, the greater their chance of winning a prize. Register at www.bikewise.co.nz/.

Launch party for the Wild West Bike Fest (10.00am on Sunday 1 February)
BMX Club Grenville St, Marfell
The official opening by Mayor Peter Tennent, as well as workshops for beginners and experienced riders, and a bike sell and swap meet.

Alleycat rogaine
$8 for adults and $5 for students.
New Plymouth Yacht Club car park, 5.30pm on Wednesday 4 February.
Merrilands shopping centre, 5.30pm on Wednesday 11 February.
Kiwi Outdoors car park, Ariki St, 5.30pm on Wednesday 18 February.
Mitchell Cycles car park, Devon St East, 5.30pm on Wednesday 25.
Come by bicycle or by foot for this series of city rogaines. Register on-site for the 180 minutes or 90 minutes rogaine – it’s up to you. Teamwork, exercise, competition and route planning are all features of this sport. Discover a whole new way of navigating the city!

Summer Scene Surf and Skate Day Out (midday-3.00pm on Saturday 7 February)
East End Skate Park
Enjoy the live entertainment and surf and skate competitions – with, as always, great prizes up for grabs!

The mountain bike experience (Sunday 8 February)
Lake Mangamahoe (access from the Plantation Rd car park)
Registration at 9.00am, event starts at 9.30am.
There are two free races available: A beginners’ race for those just starting out in the sport, and one for the more experienced to indulge in the thrills and spills of mountain biking.

Mountain bike orienteering (Saturday 14 February)
Lake Mangamahoe (access from the Plantation Rd car park)
Registration at midday, event starts at 12.30pm. $8 for adults and $5 for students.
If cross-country riding is what you’re into then have a go at mountain bike orienteering. There are three courses available, catering for your degree of skill and experience.

Women’s mountain bike skills workshop (2.00pm on Sunday 15 February)
Lake Mangamahoe (meet in the Plantation Rd car park)
Build your confidence and skills through this workshop designed for and run by women.

The Bikewise Mayoral Challenge (9.00am on Sunday 15 February)
Ngamotu Beach
Join Mayor Peter Tennent on a bike ride challenge along our world-class Coastal Walkway, and help New Plymouth secure the title of Most Cycle Mad City! Bring your family and friends, your own drinking bottles and your cycle helmets. There will be prizes, giveaways and activities.

Film Festival (9.00pm-11.00pm on Sunday 15 February)
Hatchery Lawn, Pukekura Park
This free event features Try This At Home (a series of short unicycle adventures by Matt and Josh Girvan), followed by The Godmachine (a documentary exploring the experiences and philosophies of bicycle couriers in Hamburg, Auckland, Kyoto and New York).

Helm-art (1.30pm-3.00pm on Saturday 21 February)
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
Age: 8-12 years – phone 06-759 6060 to book your place.
Has your old bike helmet seen better days? Bring it to the art gallery to recycle it into a fantastic wearable artwork and receive a new one in return, then create a promotional poster illustrating your masterpiece’s special features. Leave your artwork with us to be displayed in the Civic Centre’s foyer.

Downhill race (Saturday 21 February)
Lake Mangamahoe (access from the Plantation Rd car park)
Course opens at 10.00am, registration midday, race starts at 1.00pm.
Be part of the all-action, adrenaline-fuelled downhill race on the newly designed and rebuilt track at Lake Mangamahoe!

Wild West Street Party (10.00am-midday on Sunday 22 February)
Devon St West (between Currie and Brougham streets)
Enjoy this car-free street party powered by Skank Bandits’ original funk-hiphop-surf/rock sound. Lay down some rubber in the skid comp, bunny hop and tricycle limbo contests; or browse the street market. Kids: Bling your bike at home and parade it around to win spot prizes!

The Bikewise Go By Bike Day (7.00am-9.00am on Wednesday 25 February)
Puke Ariki Landing
Leave your car at home today and cycle to Puke Ariki Landing between 7.00am and 9.00am and enjoy fresh coffee, delicious complimentary bagels and the sounds of smooth jazz band Loungesweet. All cyclists are welcome.

Night Rider (8.30pm on Wednesday 25 February)
Need a new edge on your mountain biking? Then an after-dark mountain bike ride in the Colson Rd forest is just the medicine. Meet at Colson Rd outside the driveway entrance to the SPCA at 8.30pm with your mountain bike gear, and don’t forget a strong bike light!

Critical Mass (5.15pm on Friday 27 February)
Puke Ariki Landing
Critical Mass is a spontaneous, leaderless bicycle ride that occurs on the last Friday of every month in almost every major city in the world to celebrate self-powered transportation. Families welcome.

The Stampede (5.00pm on Saturday 28 February)
The green area next to the Wind Wand Car Park
Guys and gals: Strap on your spurs, tame your moustache and saddle up for a leisurely costumed ride along the Coastal Walkway. Wear what you like – live a little!


Events Calendar
Bikewise website
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