Bike wise

The start of the 2012 school term did not deter Go By Bike Day participants in Rotorua.  From 6.50am, when the first keen bikers arrived, parents, pre-schoolers and commuters were greeted with smiles and breakfast.

Co-ordinator, Denise Bradley of Sport BoP, reported that Rotorua participants were delighted to tuck into the fruit and cereal breakfast provided by sponsors Rotorua More FM, who kept everybody enthused with announcements throughout the morning.

Individuals, families and workplace groups all joined in the fun at City Focus, sharing stories, food and spot prizes.  As with all good stories, there was some drama and unexpected twists: a cyclist whose chain came off her bike refused to be thwarted and picked up her bike and ran to the Go By Breakfast finish line.  She was welcomed with enthusiastic applause, a good breakfast and someone to attend to the wayward bike chain.

There were some cycling stars who really put in a big effort for Go By Bike Day, including Tim Daly, who cycled 39 kms into the city centre from rural Rotorua and reckoned he was already looking forward to the commute home after the working day.

Rotorua commuter hero of the day was Mr Bob Austin who gallantly commuted over 69 kilometres from his home near Whakatāne to the Rotorua City Focus. Organisers made sure that Bob was completely nourished and rehydrated after his fantastic and inspirational effort.  (Everyone was curious to see if Bob would be cycling back home but apparently his wife insisted that he and his bike deserved to be picked up and she collected him at the end of his day.)