Huri Huri News
14 December 2016 If donning lycra and warming up the roads for the world’s leading road cyclists in the New Zealand Cycle Classic, or mountain biking along the Ruamahanga River isn’t your thing, then there is an alternative way of getting on your bike this Wellington Anniversary Weekend. Those awfully lovely bike people at Blackwell and Sons, New Zealand’s only distributors of the hand-built British Pashley Bicycle, are putting on a ‘Very Posh Pashley Picnic’ at Stella Bull Park in Greytown, as part of next month’s Huri Huri Bike Festival. Blackwell and Sons, Adam Blackwell, is inviting people to ‘air their tweeds’ and bike the Greytown to Woodside Trail and picnic at the iconic park in Greytown, where there will be entertainment from a jazz band, ‘spiffing’ games, prizes for the best dressed rider and bike, and other special surprises. “People are always scratching around for something to do on Wellington Anniversary Weekend and the event combines a whole day of really unique things most people would never have the chance to do,” he explained. “Visitors from Wellington can combine a fun train trip with a lovely ride out along the trail from Woodside to one of the most beautiful towns in the Wairarapa, and then sit in a splendid park, hear Dixieland Jazz and have a picnic lunch. “The White Swan Hotel is putting together very posh Pashley picnic hampers containing some English-inspired fare, like sandwiches with the crusts cut off and little cakes, so the whole idea is that you celebrate the Englishness of an afternoon tea with your bicycle in a park setting – how very civilised,” he added. The Very Posh Pashley Picnic takes place on Saturday 23 January between 11am-4pm and is open to anyone with or without a bike. Visitors from Wellington are encouraged to leave the city on the 9.55am train to Woodside Station and return back at the end of the afternoon on the 4.09pm train, arriving in Wellington at 5.17pm. Picnic lunches can be ordered ahead from The White Swan, Greytown, by ringing 06 304 8894. For more information on Huri Huri Bike Festival events visit www.hurihuri.co.nz.
0 Comments
Huri Huri News
9 December 2015 It’s not often cyclists get the chance to ride across private farmland, let alone 30km along the bank of the picturesque Ruamahanga River. Thanks to the generosity of more than 20 private landowners, the Trails Wairarapa Trust has permission for cyclists to bike along the southern Wairarapa Valley, as part of next month’s Huri Huri Bike Festival. Last February, the Trust took 85 riders down the Ruamahanga River from Martinborough to Ocean Beach and next month the 50km ride will finish with a BBQ at the Lake Ferry Hotel. “This is an adventure ride rather than a race”, explained Trails Wairarapa Trust Chair Rob Irwin. “It gives us an opportunity to explore the feasibility of developing river-based trails in the Wairarapa. We have had fantastic support from the farmers along the riverbank and are pleased to be able to vary the ride from last year by finishing at Lake Ferry. “Whilst a good level of fitness and a well-maintained mountain bike is required, it’s worth being prepared for a few judders as this is an unused track,” added Mr Irwin. The trail ride takes place on Wellington Anniversary Monday (25 January) and proceeds from the trail will be used to develop cycling and walking trails across the Wairarapa, as well as Pirinoa School. The cost is $65 and includes the BBQ and transport back to Martinborough Square for rider and bike. Huri Huri runs between 20-25 January 2016, in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic. The bike festival also features events such as the Pedal for Parkinson’s road cycle challenge up Admiral Hill in Gladstone, the Town to Tide multi-sport race from Masterton to Riversdale Beach and the Huri Huri Mini (Kids) Criterium along Dixon Street. For further event details and registrations visit the Huri Huri festival website at www.hurihuri.co.nz. Huri Huri News
2 December 2015 Think cycling and images of wafer-thin tyres and multi-coloured tight-fitting lycra come to mind, but there are many different ways to have fun on a bike. Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival offers a diverse range of biking opportunities and is encouraging casual cyclists and families to join in during the five-day event. The festival is running in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic, which features some of the world’s top men’s cyclists. The five-staged Cycle Classic will take place during January along numerous Wairarapa roads and up some of the region’s steepest hills, including the 500-metre ascent of Gladstone’s Admiral Hill. Ordinary mortals have an opportunity to warm up the roads and the hill during ‘Pedal for Parkinson’s’ before the men take on stage four, which ends at the highest point, 10km up Admiral Road. The Parkinson’s Wairarapa fundraiser is not a race, but a fun ride in grand fondo-style, and reminiscent of the secondary events at the big European cycling competitions such as the Tour de France. “Pedal for Parkinson’s is ideal for individuals or social, corporate and sporting teams looking for a ride with a difference,” explained New Zealand Cycle Classic Director Jorge Sandoval. “It’s an opportunity to ride a circuit of an international cycle race on the same day as the pro teams. It's a challenge, not a race. This event is for everyone who loves to ride bikes and wants to take on a stage of the international tour or just part of it.” Starting at Gladstone Vineyard, the event offers courses of 72km, 45km or a straight-out 18km climb up Admiral Hill and is open to anyone aged 15 or over. Last year, local personalities Ruth Sutherland and Brian Lambert didn’t allow Parkinson’s to get in the way of tackling the Wairarapa’s infamous hill. Brian, displaying his usual determination, completed the 18km solo on his 35-year old aluminium frame Vitus, while Ruth rode tandem with her nephew Phil Sutherland. “You don’t need a flash road bike to complete the course,” said Huri Huri Event Manager Catherine Rossiter-Stead. “Mountain bikes might be more appropriate for parts of it, and wouldn’t it be fun to see someone trying to get up the hill on a unicycle?” Pedal for Parkinson’s takes place on Saturday 23 January 2016. Registrations are now open at www.hurihuri.co.nz. |