Weekend Event: Pedal Papamoa to get wheels turning

Papamoa Plaza manager and Papamoa Unlimited's David Hill is gearing up for a community bike ride like no other this weekend. Photo / George Novak

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a scenic bike ride along the beachside finished off with a free breakfast, and possibly up to 500 of your mates.

Organisers of tomorrow'sPedal Papamoa event have ensured no one will leave with an empty belly after working up an appetite with a 5-kilometre bicycle ride.

The community event is the third of its kind, aimed at offering a fun day out for people by riding through the streets and cycleways of Pāpāmoa.

Papamoa Unlimited event manager Sarah Lewis said she anticipated 400 to 500 people to take part "if the weather gods smile on us, and they are supposed to".

The return ride begins at Gordon Spratt Reserve at 10am and will travel 2.5km to Papamoa Beach Tavern where all registered cyclists get a free breakfast before returning to the reserve.

"It's just getting people familiar with their surroundings. It's going to be a real cool, fun, family-friendly event. There are a lot of chances for freebies, and it's a good excuse to get the kids out," Lewis said.

Lewis said there were also a few other goodies in store, including a quiz along the way, spot prizes and Tauranga City Council and Toi Ohomai offering a helping hand to fill water bottles and give cycle safety advice.

There will also be a quiz riders can complete along the way.

The details:

What:

Pedal Papamoa.

Where:

Starts at Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, 5km return trip with breakfast at

midway.

When:

Registrations starts at 10am Saturday. Event likely to run to 1pm.

Cost:

Free.

What else you need to know:

Bring your own bike and helmets. Dressing the bikes up is encouraged.