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Get Ready for the Wild West Bike Fest

Monday 23 January 2012, 2:41PM

By New Plymouth District Council

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NEW PLYMOUTH

Get your bikes and your party attitude: The Wild West Bike Fest 2012 is almost here!

For the next five weeks, 31 events will celebrate cycling as New Plymouth District Council encourages people of all ages to give something new a try.

This year the festival features the Unofficial NZ Bike Trials Championship, where riders from around the country will take on this extreme test of bicycle handling skills on six separate obstacle courses on the Coastal Walkway, near the Wind Wand.

Local rider Matt Foster will be competing in the trials, on 4 February.

“We also have the enormously popular Wild West Bike Party – which this year includes bike racing and big air jumps in the Huatoki Plaza – along with a Big Bike Fix-up and the Bike Night at Arthouse Cinema,” says Sustainable Transport Coordinator Nathaniel Benefield.

“Kids and adults can take part in the Methanex Family Fun Ride and Mayoral Challenge, and mountain biking and guided bike rides. There are also skills clinics, events especially for women, and other events that range from dead-easy to challenging.

“We want people to be excited about cycling, and the Wild West Bike Fest gives them lots of opportunities to get involved.”

On Wednesday (25 January) is the Kiwi Outdoors Summer Rogaine Series, and this Sunday is the Big Bike Fix-up at the Wind Wand from 10.00am to 1.30pm.

“As well as assessing and doing basic maintenance for free on bikes, the Big Bike Fix-up will have workshops on how to fix your bike, bike maintenance tips and helmet checks,” says Nathaniel.

“Get there early – previous bike fix-ups have drawn large crowds.”

On Wednesday 1 February is Go By Bike Day for those travelling to work or school. Those turning up to Puke Ariki Landing with their bike between 7.30am and 9.00am will get a free breakfast and be up for spot prizes.

The full Wild West Bike Fest programme is on the Bike Fest page of this website, and at bike shops and i-SITEs.

This year’s festival is generously supported by the North Taranaki Cycling Advocates, New Plymouth Mountain Bikers Club, Cycling New Plymouth Club, New Plymouth BMX Club, Andy Patterson, Cycle Inn, Joes Cycles Waitara, Mitchell Cycles, 02 Project and Raceway Cycles.