When famously blunt Far North Mayor Wayne Brown says, "Get on your bike!" he's not always inviting you on a pleasant bicycle outing.
Later this month, however, will be different.
Mr Brown is issuing a cycle challenge to all Northlanders, inviting them to join him on a 13-kilometre ride along the former railway corridor from Okaihau to Kaikohe.
The ride, on Sunday May 29, will be the first time a section of the 86-kilometre Pou Herenga Tai/Twin Coast Cycle Trail has been used for an official cycle event.
The trail, which is still under construction, was first opened up for a public event on April 3 when it hosted a walk organised by the Foundation for Youth Development.
Registration for the Mayoral Challenge will start at 9am in Okaihau, with cyclists leaving at 10am for the mostly downhill run to Kaikohe.
The ride is expected to take about an hour and is suitable for all ages. As well as an 80-metre-long curving rail tunnel built in 1915 the route offers fine views of the mid-North and Lake Omapere.
The free event will wind up with spot prizes, including new bikes, a sausage sizzle and market day at Kaikohe's Mid North Motor Inn. The 13-kilometre section will be the first part of the trail to be completed, and will serve as a taster for the full Horeke-to-Opua route.
The plan is to have at least the former rail corridor from Okaihau to Kawakawa open in time for the Rugby World Cup later this year, but that depends on negotiations with adjoining property owners.
The Far North cycle trail was one of seven proposals first out of the blocks when the Government announced its plan for a national network of cycle trails.
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