Huri Huri News
8 June 2016

The New Zealand Cycle Classic will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in January 2017 with new stage routes for riders and an exciting line-up of community events that are part of Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Festival of Cycling.
 
The five-stage elite international men’s road cycling race is the only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) sanctioned race to be held in New Zealand in 2017. Staged entirely in the Wairarapa from January 22nd – 26th 2017 it will feature three new routes, including the opening 156km stage which takes riders from the Wairarapa’s biggest town of Masterton to the spectacular coastal community of Castlepoint. The other new routes include “The Five Towns” which will see riders cycle through all of the Wairarapa’s characterful townships and a fast and furious 12 lap, 10km circuit just west of Masterton.
 
Race director Jorge Sandoval is looking forward to next year’s 30th celebration of the Cycle Classic.
 
“The New Zealand Cycle Classic is recognised overseas as the road tour with the highest international standing in this country and to be celebrating 30 years is wonderful. I am looking forward to staging a memorable event with three new exciting stage routes and I’m expecting it will attract another quality field of Kiwi and international riders.”
 
Being held simultaneously with the NZ Cycle Classic is Huri Huri; Wairarapa’s Bike Festival. ‘Huri Huri’ comes from the Maori word Huri meaning to turn over, to revolve and to spin. The 2017 Festival will celebrate the Wairarapa’s bike-friendly roads, tracks and trails; the people that ride on them and the bikes they ride with a variety of events and activities catering to all levels of involvement in biking and for all ages.

“Having the New Zealand Cycle Classic and Huri Huri held simultaneously will give the community a chance to see some of the world’s best riders in action and provide them with opportunities to get out on their own bikes and discover the Wairarapa one road at a time,” says Mr Sandoval.
 
“We will invite our local cyclists and their friends and families to take part in a variety of events including a fun ride to be held on the same circuit as the professional riders.”
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock is pleased both events are returning to the region’s summer calendar following Wairarapa’s successful hosting of the events in January 2016.

“We received a great endorsement from the UCI and several international riders who attended the 2016 New Zealand Cycle Classic and various Huri Huri events. It helped confirm the Wairarapa as an international cycling destination as well as showcase the whole region,” says Mr Hancock.

“We are very excited about having another double-header week of cycling events in January 2017 that will be held right throughout the region and encourage a lot of community involvement. These events will also help the region attract new visitors and positively contribute to our economy – in terms of accommodation, spend at local cafes and retail outlets.”

Mr Sandoval agrees.

“Road cycling is gaining momentum in New Zealand, and we as Tour Directors, must design stages that are going to test the riders and attract public interest,” says Mr Sandoval. “Tour racing is a test of strength, stamina, and endurance, and I’m really happy I’ve been able to lift the demands on the riders a further notch or two by including new circuits in the 2017 New Zealand Cycle Classic.”
 
Details of the five stage routes for the 2017 New Zealand Cycle Classic.
 
Stage One, 156km
Sunday 22 January 2017 NEW ROUTE
Riders start from Masterton and complete a circuit of Mauriceville and Whangeahu Valley before finishing at the coastal community of Castlepoint.
 
Stage Two, 152km
Monday 23 January 2017
This is arguably the hardest stage of the tour and includes a traditional hill-top finish on Admiral Hill in Gladstone. Riders will also climb hills at Whareama, Limeworks and the steep Te Wharau and are expected to reach top speeds of 80-90
 
Stage three, 136km
Tuesday 24 January 2017
NEW ROUTE
“The Five Towns” will see riders begin in the north in Masterton and head south cycling towards Featherston via Carterton and Greytown, before completing a lap around Lake Wairarapa and finishing in the wine village of Martinborough in the south.
 
Stage Four, 143km
Wednesday 25 January 2017
This is another long stage around the Gladstone area with riders finishing in Martinborough with eight laps of an 8km circuit.
 
Stage Five, 120km
Thursday 26 January 2017
NEW ROUTE
The final stage promises to be fast and super spectator friendly. Beginning in Masterton, riders will complete 12 laps of a 10km circuit around the Upper Plain/Westbush Road.

Huri Huri News
10 March 2016

Trails Wairarapa Trust Chairman Rob Irwin handed over a cheque for $500 to Pirinoa Principal Troy Anderson last Friday. The money is the net proceeds of the Ruamahanga River Mountain Bike Ride from Martinborough to Lake Ferry which took place on Wellington Anniversary Day, 25th January this year.

“Trust member Joe Howells, as the ride champion, organised voluntary help to get the ride ready and run this year, so we have kept the costs down, meaning we are able to make a bigger donation to the School,” explained Mr Irwin. “The Pirinoa farmers have all been fantastic in their support for the idea of a river bank cycle trail, so the Trust decided to adopt Pirinoa School as the charity to support this year.”

Trails Wairarapa Trust’s vision is to have a network of on road and off road cycle trails throughout the Wairarapa. The Trust has been testing the feasibility of having a cycle trail based on the Ruamahanga River and has run an event riding from Martinborough to the sea on the river stopbank for the past two years. “So far we have been encouraged by the support of the farmers and other parties such as Greater Wellington and the District Councils,” said Mr Irwin. “We have also consulted with Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane Iwi who are supportive of the concept. Overall support and feedback from the riders is favorable so that we are encouraged to continue working on this proposal.”

Pirinoa School Chair Stuart Weatherstone, whose family farm has about 10 kilometres of Ruamahanga riverbank, thinks the cycle trail is a fantastic idea. “This is a great example town and country working together and an example of how we can make our communities more resilient,” acknowledged Mr Waetherstone. “The school is very appreciative of the money and will put it to good use.”
 
School Principal Troy Anderson said the money would go towards a cycle track around the perimeter of the school grounds. “Although the children don’t bike to school, bikes are kept there for their use, so a new track will be a great asset.”

The ride was part of this year's Huri Huri Bike Festival, and once again proved to be very successful. The cyclists really appreciated being able to buy refreshments at the newly opened Land Girls Café at Pirinoa village and the Lake Ferry Hotel. The general feedback was that some surface development work would benefit the riders and that the Ruamahanga River trail had tremendous potential.

“It is our dream to one day have an off road trail along the Ruamahanga river from Masterton to Lake Ferry which could be one of the NZ Cycle Trail Heartland rides. A short ferry trip would link with the Rimutaka Great Ride.”

One of the great things to come out of Wairarapa’s Huri Huri Bike Festival is the celebration of all things biking and that includes personal achievements both past and present.
 
Brian Lambert is a cycling legend in Wairarapa. He retains a claim on the record for the fastest non-stop cycle ride from Auckland to Wellington, a journey he undertook in 1984 on his beloved aluminium-framed Vitrus bike, in just 19 hours, 59 minutes and 27 seconds.
 
He is a stalwart of the sport having cycled for 60+ years, was also the owner of Masterton’s Lambert Cycles until it became Avanti-Plus a few years ago. The veteran rider can frequently be spotted as part of the support team assisting national cycle promoter Jorge Sandoval with his international road cycling events.
 
Now into his golden years, Lambert still likes to tackle the region’s toughest hill climb, Admiral Hill in Gladstone. What’s really remarkable about his determination to take on the 18km climb, is the fact that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease more than 15 years ago.
 
“At this stage of my Parkinson’s, I’m having trouble balancing,” explained Lambert. “But on the bike I don’t need to worry about anything.
 
“With Parkinson’s, exercise is better than taking a bottle of pills,” he said.
 
Next summer, Huri Huri will be into its third year and the festival has been a wrap-around event for both Sandoval’s Women’s Tour of New Zealand and the New Zealand Cycle Classic. Local cyclists warmed up the roads for these top international events as part of the cycling festivities, and nominated Parkinson’s Wairarapa as their charity of choice in honour of Lambert’s achievements and continuing contribution.
 
For the last two years cyclists have converged on the Gladstone Vineyard prior to Stage Four of the professional race, to ‘Pedal for Parkinson’s’: a fun ride that includes 18km, 45km and 72km options, culminating in the infamous Admiral Hill climb.
 
Naturally, the fiercely-independent Lambert once again took to his 30-year old Vitrus bike to take up the challenge.

Pedal for Parkinson's looks to return in 2017.  Keep an eye out on our facebook page: Facebook/HuriHuriBikeFestival.

Huri Huri News
28 January 2016

Wairarapra’s hosting of the New Zealand Cycle Classic and Huri Huri: Bike Festival received a great endorsement from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and from several riders who took part.
Peter Tomlinson, from Australia, was the UCI representative appointed to officiate the five-stage event which attracted a field of 90 riders representing four countries including England, France, Australia and New Zealand. The event, a UCI 2.2 accredited tour, made its return to the Wairarapa after a four year hiatus when it was staged in Manawatu and was won by 20-year-old Ben O’Connor, an Australian racing for Avanti IsoWhey Sports.

Mr Tomlinson said it has been a “fantastic” event with no issues and the highlight for him coming on the fifth stage.
 
“I obviously am representing the UCI to officiate the race and with the help of the New Zealand Commissaries we’re here to make sure there is good, competitive race and it’s certainly been that.  This is the third time I’ve been to NZ Classic and today for me, the last stage, was amongst the best races I’ve ever seen here so it was a good way to finish.”
 
He was also impressed with the organisation of the event lead by race director Jorge Sandoval.
 
“Jorge has assembled a competitive field, the Police and volunteers around the course ensured it was a safe race. Also the Wairarapa surrounds were lovely and the Police and volunteers outstanding.”
 
His comments were echoed by John Herety, a former English road cyclist who represented Great Britain in the Olympic Games and is now the manager of English based JLT-Condor cycling team which finished third overall on the teams classification points table. Herety was pleased to see a significant Police presence in the Wairarapa and said their approach was clear and precise while their positive attitude was greatly appreciated by all teams.  Mr Herety said rider safety was the most important thing and this race delivered on that. He said he would return home to England with nothing but positive things to say about the event and the way in which it was conducted.
 
Mr Sandoval, who has been running the event for 29 years, said the logistics of staging an event like the Cycle Classic were complex and extensive.

He thanked the New Zealand Police who helped make the event safe for riders and the public; Mr Tomlinson; Destination Wairarapa, the regional tourism organisation; Trust House, NZ Community Trust; community sponsors including Fagan Motors, Mitre 10 Mega, The Sign Factory as well as all volunteers and marshalls who helped out during the week.
 
“As the organiser of the event, I want the tour to be better each year, this time was not exemption. The race officials play a very important role and they did a magnificent job, having the police to control the race ensure the safety of riders and members of the public. Also, a huge thanks to our sponsors who without their support would be impossible to stage such international event.  The support from Destination Wairarapa permits me to concentrate on other areas organizing and running the tour while they take care of other very critical areas of running an international event.”
 
Mr Sandoval looks forward to staging the event again in 2017 and is confident he can share his passion with the wider community.
 
“I strongly believe Wairarapa is the best place to stage international cycling, we just need to encourage the Wairarapa people to get behind and come out and support the event and or other events around the tour.”
 
Being held simultaneously with the NZ Cycle Classic was Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival. ‘Huri Huri’ comes from the Maori word Huri meaning to turn over, to revolve and to spin.
 
The festival celebrated the Wairarapa’s bike-friendly roads, tracks and trails; the people that ride on them and the bikes they ride. A diverse programme held throughout the region catered to all levels of involvement in biking and for all ages. Festival director Catherine Rossiter-Stead was thrilled how many people were involved.
 
“It’s been a very successful event from the dozens of kids who enjoyed Sunday’s mini criterium to the seasoned mountain bikers who tackled the Atiwhakatu TrailBlazer. We’ve had people travel to the Wairarapa from all over the Lower North Island and many of them have also taken the opportunity to follow the New Zealand Cycle Classic during their visit. The festival has only been made possible due to the assistance of all our wonderful volunteers, many of our local business and organisations such as the Wairarapa Trails Trust, Masterton Cycling and Wairarapa Multisports Clubs.”
 
Mrs Rossiter-Stead said she spoke with several out-of-towers who took part in different events. She said Peter Schrafft  and Richard Ainsworth from Hawera in Taranaki came especially to watch the NZ Cycle Classic but upon learning about the Pedal for Parkinsons road cycle signed up to participate in the 72km race.
“We always follow the New Zealand Cycle Classic and this year we thought we’d join in and take up the opportunity to cycle the infamous Admiral Hill,” said Ainsworth.
 
Wellington’s Gary Jarvis, who won the individual men’s Town to Tide multisport event in 4 hrs17 mins, had nothing but praise for the event.
 
“It was a very challenging and hot run.  The course was great and the event had a real community feel. Town to Tide is a best kept secret."
 
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock was pleased both events not only helped put the Wairarapa on the international cycling map, but it also showcased the whole region.
“This double-header week of cycling events is such a good showcase for the Wairarapa region. Images of our rural scenery were beamed all around the world and the riders have indicated they will return home with nothing but positive comments on the region.

“This year’s event attracted new visitors to the region and contributed to the whole economy – in terms of accommodation, spend at local cafes and retail outlets, it also proves we can host an event of this international level.

Mr Hancock said that "word of mouth" would build the event over the next two years.
"We really want to get the public behind this event because it will grow."

Huri Huri News
28 January 2016

Wairarapa Multisports, in conjunction with Orui Coastal Walk, held its second Town to Tide event last weekend, as part of this year’s Huri Huri Bike Festival.
 
Despite the blistering hot weather, a strong field of competitors took on either the biathlon option of a 44km bike from Henley Lake in Masterton and 16km run across undulating farmland along the coast to Riversdale, or the full triathlon option, which also included a 14km kayak along the Whareama River.
 
Gary Jarvis from Wellington gained the individual multisport title in just over 4 hours. “It was a very challenging and hot run.  The course was great and the event had a real community feel. Town to Tide is a best kept secret,” he said.
 
Ali Hollington who had travelled down from Napier won the individual multisport women’s fastest time in 5 and half hours. “It was really worth it and good fun. We had to cycle into wind over a hilly course, the kayak paddle was into the tide and the run challenging and hot, but a great way to warm up for next month’s Coast to Coast,” explained Hollington.
 
Biathlon Event (bike/run)
 
1st male individual, Gavin Champion (2.41.43), 1st female individual Julie Millar (3.06.35),1st men team Wills Kent & Graeme Butcher (2.31.57), 1st women team Marie Jury & Kim Presow (3.44.38),1st mix team Michele McCabe & Leroy Pitt (3.32.25).
 
Multi Sport (bike/kayak/run)
 
1st male individual, Gary Jarvis (4.17.26),1st woman individual: Ali Hollington (5.31.44),1st men team Brian Faulkner, Brian Sanders, Malcolm McDonald (4.21.59),1st mix team Steve Hannam, Doug Aplin, Sue Bankier (4.18.02)

Huri Huri News
27 January 2016

Last Thursday’s Atiwhakatu TrailBlazer has been declared an outstanding success by both participants and the organisers of the Huri Huri Wairarapa Bike Festival.

The 14km mountain bike ride along the Holdsworth to Atiwhakatu Hut track was not a race, but attracted dozens of experienced riders keen to take up this unique opportunity. The whole event took just three a half hours from the time the first participant left Mount Holdsworth Lodge until the final one returned, with the journey back proving to be far quicker as it was down the steep incline.

Huri Huri Event Manager Catherine Rossiter-Stead was delighted with the success of the ride. “The Atiwhakatu TrailBlazer was organised on the basis that it was a one-off opportunity and we are very grateful to DoC for giving us this rare opportunity and making the process so straightforward.

“Mountain bikers came from across the Lower North Island, including leading mountain biker Jonathan Kennett, who really enjoyed riding the track,” she said.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the organisers was how to transport the bikes safely and efficiently across the East Holdsworth Creek swing bridge. Carterton Scouts came to the rescue, thanks to the resourcefulness of their leader Ben Laybourn, who gave the problem to his brother – a stunt engineer in the film industry. He devised an ingenious pulley system to speed up the process of transporting swing bridge which was extremely effective. “This was a great opportunity for the scouts to employ some innovative thinking and they spent a really enjoyable day in the bush setting up and helping out. We were pleased to be able to contribute to the success of the event,” explained Laybourn.

Rossiter-Stead was delighted with the way the Wairarapa community got behind the bike festival. “It’s been a very successful event from the dozens of kids who enjoyed Sunday’s mini criterium to the seasoned mountain bikers who tackled the Atiwhakatu TrailBlazer. Thank you to all the volunteers and Wellington Free Ambulance who helped out with the TrailBlazer.”

Huri Huri News
11 January 2016

Excitement is building in the lead-up to Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival which starts on Wednesday 20 January, in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic.
 
The six-day event offers everyone an opportunity to get involved, whether it’s getting on a bike and taking part in a trail, mountain or road biking event or cheering on the international cycling professionals as they race along Wairarapa's roads and through the towns. There are numerous ways that members of the community can join in the fun of the New Zealand Cycle Classic during the festival.
 
The Union Cycliste International (UCI) 2.2 five-stage race features 18 top international men’s road cycling teams. The New Zealand national team is made up of top Kiwi riders such as Micheal Vink and Brad Evans, who are both contenders for the 2016 New Zealand Cycle Classic title. British cycling legend Kristian House and NZ rider James Oram will be cycling for UCI Continental Pro team ONE Pro Cycling, and the race line-up will also feature the experienced JLT Condor team from England, on their second visit to New Zealand, as well as Kenyan cyclist Sulieman Kangangi cycling for the Kenyan Riders Downunder team.
 
Stage One of the New Zealand Cycle Classic kicks off at 2.30pm on Wednesday at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park, with the riders embarking on a 123km ride out to Gladstone and Longbush, finishing at Dixon Street at 5.30pm.
 
Thursday sees a 10am start at the Copthorne and cyclists will once again head out towards Gladstone. The ride is 139km, but this time the riders race through Martinborough Square nine times before the winners stand on the podium for the jersey presentations in the square at around 1.25pm. This is a great opportunity for people to dress up in the colours of their favourite country, wave flags, get behind the teams and be part of the amazing race action - with the added bonus of meeting the cyclists afterwards.
 
Stage Three is a 130km race out on the Carrington Circuit in Carterton. Starting at 10am on Norfolk Road, the cyclists complete eight laps of the 12km circuit taking in Mangatarere Valley Road, Hururua Road, Hinau Gully Road, Cobden Road and Haringa Road and finishing back at Norfolk Road at 1.30pm.
 
Stage Four is the penultimate day and involves a mammoth 147km which includes three King of the Mountain climbs. Riders travel from the Copthorne at 10am and travel towards Riversdale, returning to Masterton towards Wainuioro over Limeworks Hill and then onto the top of Admiral Hill via Te Wharau Hill.
 
The public are encouraged to enjoy a lunchtime picnic under shady trees, halfway up Admiral Hill at 529 Admiral Road. Spectators can cheer on the cyclists racing for Parkinson’s before the world’s premier cyclists take on the massive hill challenge. There will be a sausage sizzle and barista coffee, and a chance to once again to meet the cyclists as the stage winners and King of the Mountain are presented with their jerseys on the picnic podium. Admiral Road is scheduled to be closed from 11am, so picnic goers should get up Admiral Hill before then.  The main race is expected to finish at 2.15pm.
 
The professionals begin Stage Five at 10am on Sunday. Starting at the Copthorne, the cyclists ride out to the Alfredton circuit and complete 122km before finishing the race on Dixon Street in Masterton. This final stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic gives young cyclists an opportunity to experience cycling the final stage through the finish line of a real road cycling event, as well as having the chance to stand on the winner’s podium and receive a yellow jersey of their own. The Huri Huri Mini (Kids) Criterium is open to youngsters aged from under 5 to 13 years old.
 
There is also the opportunity to win some great prizes by taking part in the Best Dressed Farmgate Competition. Show your support and decorate your farm gate along the route of the New Zealand Cycle Classic.
 
Visit www.hurihuri.co.nz for more details on the festival and to enter the Pedal for Parkinson’s Hill Challenge, the Huri Huri Mini (Kids) Criterium and Best Dressed Farmgate competition. For more information about race routes and timings go to http://www.cycletournz.com/stages-.

Huri Huri News
1 January 2016
 
Looking for something to do with the family this summer?  Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival has teamed up with the region’s only daily newspaper to create the Wairarapa Times-Age Huri Huri Treasure Hunt.
 
The hunt is on to find answers to clues which can be found across five of Wairarapa’s most popular cycle trails: Rimutaka Rail Trail, Greytown - Woodside Trail, Masterton Recreation Trail, Martinborough Town Trail and Carterton Mountain Bike Park.
 
Families have an opportunity to tackle a cycle trail each weekend throughout the month of January and hunt for the answers to the clues which feature in the newspaper.
 
Participants are encouraged to look out for the treasure hunt adverts and complete as many trails as they can. All completed answers will go into the draw to win some great prizes including a brand new Avanti Shadow bike and Huri Huri Goodie bags! The bike has been donated by the Wairarapa Building Society and Avant-Plus Masterton.
 
To pick up a copy of the treasure hunt clues, visit Wairarapa Times-Age, Avanti-Plus Masterton and Green Jersey Tours in Martinborough.
 
The Huri Huri Bike Festival runs from 20-25 January in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic, an international men’s cycling race featuring the world’s premier cyclists which is being raced soley on Wairarapa roads.
 
Huri Huri also features the Ruamahanga Trail Ride along the banks of the Ruamahanga River to Lake Ferry, Pedal for Parkinson’s road cycle challenge up Admiral Hill in Gladstone, Blackwell and Son’s Very Posh Pashley Picnic in Greytown, the Town to Tide multisport race from Masterton to Riversdale, a kids mini criterium along the final stretch of the New Zealand Cycle Classic race and the one-off Atiwhakatu Trailblazer mountain bike fun ride.
 
For more details on the Wairarapa Times-Age Huri Huri Treasure Hunt and other Huri Huri events, visit www.hurihuri.co.nz.
 
To enter the Wairarapa Times-Age Huri Huri Treasure Hunt, email [email protected] with the subject line 'Huri Huri Treasure Hunt' or post to PO Box 445 Masterton. Please include your contact details, the answers for at least three trails and your phone number. The closing date is noon Monday 1st February 2016.

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.

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.