w-3Boas, boaters and bikes are the perfect combination in a new event planned for Geon Art Deco Weekend. "Bicycle Belles" will see riders don Art Deco attire for a leisurely cycle on Napier's Rotary Pathway. Starting from the Sound Shell, the group will pedal along to East Pier and share in lightrefreshments before biking back to Marine Parade. Despite its title, the event is open to both sexes. "It's for anyone and everyone," Bike Hawke's Bay cycling development officer Vicki Butterworth said. The idea followed on from the Deco Bike Belles, a group she started in the Bay last December. Each month, riders dress up in frocks and get together for a social bike ride, aimed at encouraging cycling while retaining femininity. There are Frocks On Bikes groups throughout New Zealand. Ms Butterworth was expecting between 30 to 50 riders this weekend. "Bicycle Belles has been introduced to further develop a cycling culture in Hawke's Bay while encouraging the restoration of old bicycles." Old bikes were encouraged for the ride, with Ms Butterworth dusting off her 1946 Victoria model for the occasion. "All sorts of bikes are coming out of the woodwork," she said. The event has attracted "frockers" from Wellington who are travelling up for the ride as well as local deco enthusiasts. While she hadn't quite decided on her deco dress, Ms Butterworth was looking forward to the ride. * Bicycle Belles, Saturday, February 20, 9.30am-11am, at the Napier foreshore behind the Sound Shell. Gold coin entry to go to Art Deco Trust.
