Bike Wise month starts with hearty breakfast
Neil Murray, Anna Ogle and some happy children at the Go by Bike Breakfast last Tuesday. Photo: Ina Holst.
All young and old cyclists—with lycra or without—were treated to a Go by Bike Breakfast in Takaka last Tuesday, to mark the opening of Bike Wise month.
While recreation co-ordinator Dave Myall and his helpers Karen Brookes and Nina Baeyleveld baked and buttered muffins and handed out drinks and muesli bars, a steady stream of good-humoured cyclists trickled in between 7.30am and 9.30am. Some dropped in on their way to work or school or stumbled across the breakfast by chance; others had it clearly marked in their calendars as a worthwhile annual event.
“Judging by the muffins we handed out, we had over 50 people here around 8.30, which is more than in previous years, and we had a lot more small children coming through this year, which is really great,” Dave said about the turnout.
Carolyn Bauer, who looked the part in a full lycra outfit, had cycled all the way from Parapara and mused on the excellent riding conditions.
“It’s a perfect day for a bike ride. It is beautiful weather,” she said while enjoying a creamy muffin.
Harnessed into a velvet-covered, cushioned basket, fox terrier pup Evie L’Amour enjoyed the breakfast too, dutifully licking all the sweet food traces off the hands of her owner, Debbie Bradley.
“Evie learned to ride in her basket when she was three months old and she feels quite regal from her position. I live nearby and we bike all over the place. Evie loves it,” Debbie said.
Over the past few years, Bike Wise has been operating as a national programme of activities to promote cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel. Throughout February, various events are being held at various locations around the Tasman District. The next one in the Bay is the Family Fun ride on Sunday 20 February 2011. This starts from Central Takaka School at 1pm, and cyclists will ride together to the East Takaka Domain. They are encouraged to take part in one of the activities organised there, and then cycle back at their own pace to the school. Families are encouraged to make the most of the afternoon and bring a picnic to enjoy.
For safety reasons, the East Takaka road will briefly close for a short time to motorised traffic while the cyclists are travelling through the cutting.
Ina Holst
