Huri Huri News
30.03.18

Pedalling into Carterton on Thursday 19th April, as part of the exciting Carterton Go By Bike Week programme, the dynamic film concept The Big Bike Film Night rides into town with a breath-taking array of movies devoted to the bicycle and all who ride.
 
The Big Bike Film Night showcases a range of short cycling films from New Zealand and around the world; from the deserts of Oman to the Canadian Arctic Circle, with a selection offering plenty of appeal and thrills for riders and movie goers.
 
 “It is a privilege and an honour to present our 2018 collection to a new bike audience in the Wairapapa. This is our “4th vintage” and we have a stellar line-up with a smorgasbord of stories, a treasure trove of tales for those with an appetite for everything on two wheels” says Curator/ Film Pedlar, Brett Cotter.
 
“This entertaining event is a great reminder of why we love to ride our bikes by showcasing movies that celebrate the fun, adventure and inspiration that cycling enables. At its heart, these films draw upon true stories with universal human traits- those of character, hope, courage, discovery, and much much more with the humble bicycle the unifying factor throughout” says Brett.  
 
Selected by a panel of Kiwi film and bike buffs, Brett says to expect action, drama, humour and plenty of inspiration in the 2018 compilation. There are 13 short films being shown ranging from 2 to 26 minutes in length, including a number of New Zealand premieres’ and International award winners.
 
The line-up includes an ambitious journey across the harsh desert landscapes of Oman; a New Zealand female road cyclist who believes in the power of bicycles; double-trouble with twin uni-cyclists strutting their stuff; Kiwi BMX riders with a passion to see the youth of today succeed; a beautifully charming narrative that shows an artisan Italian frame builder who puts his heart and soul into building bespoke bike frames; and the remarkable story of an American Cellist who challenges the notion of limitations by travelling over 6,000 kilometres by cargo bicycle.

Mountain bike fans are also in for a treat with two movies featuring arrestingly beautiful landscapes and world class riders.

“To see these on the big screen is something else, they’re mesmerizing films,” says Brett.
Brett says he’s particularly excited to showcase “Escape” a Canadian short documentary on JaBig, a Montreal-based DJ and his fixed gear bicycle ride in winter across Canada, coast to coast to coast.
 
 “JaBig buys a single speed fixed-gear bike on a whim and then decides to beat the world record for the longest continuous bike ride in a single country. This movie, however, isn’t about the quintessential hero or the quest to break a world record; it’s about vulnerability, and what we do with the weight of the expectations in our lives.”
 
“Our event celebrates cycling in all its glorious shapes and forms. There is some cool stuff here I think everyone should see, it will whet your appetite for all things bicycle related and I’d even go so far as to say it’s bike-alicious!” says Brett
 
The Big Bike Film Night 2018 collection screens in Carterton on Thursday 19th April, 7pm at the Carterton Events Centre. For more information on the Big Bike Film Night, and to buy tickets go to www.bigbikefilmnight.nz or on the night at the Centre.

World class BMX display team Freestyle Lifestyle will be the star attraction of Carterton’s Go By Bike Week, organised by Huri Huri: Bike Wairarapa in conjunction with Carterton District Council.
 
The week-long cycling festival is taking place during Monday 16 - Sunday 22 April, to celebrate the Vantage Age Group Road National Championships, which take place in the Carterton District between 20-22 April.
 
Councillor Rebecca Vergunst, elected member to the Carterton Walking and Cycling Advisory Group, says that the cycle championships coming to Carterton is the perfect opportunity to encourage the community to get on their bikes.
 
“For some time we have been talking about how to encourage residents to use cycling as their preferred mode of transport, and having a significant cycling event come to our district was the perfect catalyst to get an initiative underway.”
 
A packed programme of events for all ages has been created to give residents a taste of cycling as a sport, hobby and mode of transport.  Events include a kids decorate your own helmet competition, Big Bike Film Night, a chance to try out an E-bike and an opportunity for people to get back on their bikes with an adult ride out with Pedal Ready instructors to Fensham Reserve.
 
The Huri Huri Kids BMX Workshop sees the Freestyle Lifestyle team make their first appearance in Carterton following successful events in Martinborough and Masterton in the last year.
 
The event runs during morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday 21 April, where young riders will learn about bike safety equipment and essential safety skills, and how to fix and maintain their bikes. There will also be games, stories and stunt demonstrations, and the kids get to try out some basic BMX stunt skills. Registration via EventFinda is essential and the cost is just $10.
 
For more information about any of the Go By Bike Week activities, check out www.hurihuri.co.nz or the Huri Huri facebook page.