Mrs Dundas said 1500 riders turned up on Saturday for the second annual Big Easy event, and about 30 per cent of entrants had come from out of town.
There were 700 more riders for the event than last year, Mrs Dundas said.
Saturday's event saw a mass migration of riders from Havelock North Domain to Church Road Winery in Taradale. Beginning on Saturday morning, the relaxed 45km journey offered plenty of opportunities for riders to sample Hawke's Bay food and wine along the way.
Havelock North Tandem cafe assistant Jennifer Smit said the cafe was "packed" with Big Easy participants on Saturday.
"There was a great big sudden influx of people shortly after it [the Big Easy] started," Mrs Smit said. "We were packed, so much so that people were sitting on the grass outside."
"We got hammered," said Charlie Davidson from Zepplin Cafe in Clive.
"We were packed to the gunnels. The riders had a great attitude.
"They were patient and they were there for a good time."
Thirsty Whale daytime duty manager Amy Myles said it had been the busiest weekend of the year for the Ahuriri-based bar and restaurant.
"It went really well; a lot of people showed up. They [cyclists] came and went throughout the day."
A concert at the end featured Kiwi musicians Annie Crummer, Rikki Morris and Jackie Clarke, as well as local favourites Naked Gun and Power.
Mrs Dundas said the weather had held out for the event. "There were a few sprinkles and a bit of a headwind coming into Napier, so everyone deserved a wine at the end."
Saturday's route, which carried throngs of riders to eateries in Havelock North, Clive, Napier, Westshore and Taradale, was the reverse of last year's, Mrs Dundas said.
The route would change again next year. "The event's getting bigger, so we'll change the route accordingly and make the most of the local trails."
