Mystery Bike Ride
From left, organisers Mark Allinson, Annie Telford, Kim Johnston and Peter Blasdale.
The committee organising the Jennian Mystery Bike Ride is limiting entries to this year’s event and suggests that people enter early to avoid disappointment.
“On the Sunday before the event last year we had 87 entrants, but we ended up with about 300 riders on the day,” says Kim Johnston. “That flood of last-minute entries made it very difficult to plan, especially the catering. This year we’ll close off entries as soon as the field is full. There won’t be any late entries.”
Last year’s ride was an outstanding success. Riders said they liked being able to bike in places that would normally be inaccessible, and where the views were literally breathtaking. This year’s event will be similar – it involves 13 different private properties in a secret locality.
“This year’s ride will give riders another opportunity to go to some very nice places,” explains Mark Allinson. “The course is a bit different, there’s hardly any road, it’s slightly longer and it’s not as hilly.”
After last year’s ride, the committee was approached by “quite a few landowners” offering their properties as possible venues.
“We’ll try to get around to all of them in the future,” says Annie Telford. “There’s plenty of years to go for this event.”
Anotherpopular feature of last year’s ride was the entertainment provided on the course. There will be more performers this year, both on the course and at the mystery destination. Participants are again encouraged to dress up.
Peter Blasdale says that the event will run under the auspices of the Golden Bay Mountainbike Club, and the club will be providing most of the all-important marshalls.
“Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult,” he says.
The entry and pre-race procedures will be similar to last year: the entry form is on this page of The Golden Bay Weekly, at The Quiet Revolution, Escape Bikes, Jennian Homes and the Collingwood Post Shop. The entry includes lunch at the end of the ride.
Entrants will be told where to go by mass text message or email on the morning of 27 March. They will need to be there by 9.30am for a 10am take-off. The ride is mostly off-road so entrants are encouraged to take advantage of the free pre-event bike check-up being offered by Escape Bikes and The Quiet Revolution.”It would be smart to have a spare tube with you, if you have one, and a drink bottle of course,” says Mark.
Coffee, wine and beer will be on sale at the secret destination, and a shuttle service will be provided to return people to their vehicles. Jennian Homes are once again sponsoring a bike that will be given away as a spot prize.
“Jennian are covering the running costs of the event, so the proceeds can be used for bike-track-building in Golden Bay,” says Peter.
The mystery bike ride also gives other groups a chance to raise funds.
“The good lunch that will be provided will help local schools with their fundraising,” says Kim.
Neil Wilson
