Mystery bike ride offers one-time chance on surprise scenic course
Mystery bike ride organisers, from left, Mark Allinson, Annie Telford and Rob Dawson. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Cyclists looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride in some of Golden Bay’s most scenic terrain should be preparing for the Great Jennian Homes Mystery Bike Ride on Sunday 2 May.
“It’s a fun event, not a competition or a race,” said one of the organisers, Rob Dawson. “There’s been a real explosion of interest in biking. It’s a healthy and fun thing to do. The Great Mystery Ride is not designed for full-on mountain-bikers; it’s a really do-able ride and a fun day out. Fancy dress is encouraged. The course involves some choice to make it fun for everyone–you can do six, 12 or 14 kilometres.”
Another of the organisers, Annie Telford, said major sponsors Jennian Homes had been “keen to support a community-based event that involved a lot of people.”
Participants will be told where to report for the start by text message, email or phone-call only on the morning of the event. Once there, it will be a matter of following the Jennian signs and listening to the marshalls, some of whom will be mobile marshalls provided by the Golden Bay Mountainbike Club.
While the event is designed to be accessible and fun, organisers are being very careful about safety.
“Both the bike shops are carrying our free pre-event bike and helmet checks and we’d really encourage people to take advantage of them,” said another of the organisers, Mark Allinson. “It’s an off-road event. You’ll be riding on grass, gravel and tracks of various kinds. There will be some uphill work as well. What goes up gets a good view and gets to come back down again too. We’ve incorporated some compulsory stops and we’re encouraging people to bring cameras to capture the views. There will be some places where people will get off their bikes and walk for a bit and that’s fine—it’s not a race.”
The course for the event has involved organisers obtaining the co-operation of more than 10 landowners. Even if a similar event takes place again it will not be on this year’s course.
“It really is a one-off chance. We don’t want anyone to come up to us afterwards and say that they’re really sorry they missed out,” said Annie.
The entry fee includes lunch and entertainment during and after the event. Participants will also receive a goodies bag and get the chance to win the spot prize of a new off-road bike.
To enable parents to do the event, a crèche will be available. Bringing some money will be a good idea as bar facilities are being provided at the end and organisers are providing a shuttle service to get people back to their vehicles.
“There’s no point going to the course if the weather’s not nice,” said Mark, “so we’ve got 16 May as a backup day in case the weather intervenes.”
Entries for the Great Jennian Homes Mystery Ride close on Monday 26 April at 4.30pm. No entries will be accepted on the day. It costs $20 for adults, $10 for children and $40 for families. An entry form can be found in today’s edition of The GB Weekly (page 17) and entries can be dropped off at Jennian Homes, The Quiet Revolution and Escape Bikes in Takaka.
Neil Wilson
