Waiheke bike month and Belle on a Bike

Feb 07, 2014
Waiheke bike month and Belle on a Bike

BenL

Cycle Month on Waiheke PosterA guest post from Tanya Batt – AKA Belle on a Bike

February is National Bike Month in New Zealand– all 28 days – and there’s no better time to embrace your pedal powered two-wheeled friend. After all if you can cycle on Waiheke, you’ll be in tiptop shape to cycle anywhere.

In celebration of what is termed to be ‘the most noblest of all inventions’, the ‘Once Upon An Island’ Trust has put together a programme of bicycle activities for all ages.

It kicks off with the Waiheke Cycle Fest on Sunday 9th February 10 – 12 noon at the Blackpool School Reserve. During the morning the field will be transformed into a bicycle obstacle where cyclists are invited to test their skills. For the fashion minded there will be a bike fancy dress parade and a change to bling up your cycle helmet in the ‘Helmet Haute Couture Tent’. For the competitive there will be the slow bike race, the drag queen race, the electric bike race and the team water relay.

Cycle Action Waiheke will have a ‘Bike Wellness Centre’ set up so you can bring your two-wheeled friend in for a friendly check up. Ecycles Waiheke will have electric bikes that can be tried out for a gold coin donation with all proceeds being donated to ‘Bicycles for Humanity’.The highlight of the morning will the launch of the ‘Two Wheeled Treasure Trail’ where cyclists will be invited to take a bike friendly treasure hunt that stretches from Alison Park to Surfdale Hall. Those successful in finding all seven treasure stations go into the draw to win a selection of great prizes which include ‘An Electric Bike Picnic’, a bike basket and other cycling paraphernalia.

The Two Wheeled Treasure Trail will be running from the 9th – 24th February and ‘Treasure Trail Cards’ necessary for participation can be collected from the Waiheke Community Library.

On Tuesday the 25th February at 7.30pm you can ‘Cycle to the Cinema’ to enjoy ‘ Bikes for Africa’ – a fabulous documentary telling the story of a New Zealand cyclists Hap Cameron and his cycling adventures in Nambia as he works with Bikes for Humanity and the Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia to set up cycle workshop for rural community.

The cost for the evening is $10 and proceeds go to ‘Bicycles for Humanity’ an organization that works to empowers many in the developing world with the gift of mobility delivered by a bicycle.

Bell on a Bike!
Bell on a Bike!

Finally during the month of February you can book a storytelling house concert‘A Belle on a Bike’ with Tanya Batt. All frocked up, Tanya will arrive at your home on her glorious orange electric bicycle with gypsy caravan in tow for an informative and amusing 45 minute story extravaganza which includes the history of cycling, famous belles on bikes, Bike – a – rella and the interactive ‘Ring My Bell’ cycling quiz.

For bookings email tanya@imagined-worlds.net.

For more details visit the ‘Once Upon An Island’ Facebook page or email storycentre@gmail.com.

Thanks to our supporters Ecycle Waiheke, Wai Kitchen, Take Note Waiheke, Bikewise and CAW.

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Bike Auckland is the non-profit organisation working to improve things for people on bikes. We’re a people-powered movement for a better region. We speak up for you – and the more of us there are, the stronger our voice!

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