Industry's legends to recount exploits at multisport expo

Multiple title-winner Richard Ussher and his wife, Elina, will hold seminars. Photo / APN

Waikato multisport junkies will be able to get up close and personal with industry legends Steve Gurney and Richard Ussher this weekend with New Zealand's first cycling and multisport expo in Hamilton.

Athlete and adventurer Gurney has won the Coast to Coast, a gruelling cycle, run and kayak across the South Island, a record nine times and will speak about his achievements at the On Your Bike Expo.

Gurney, who made headlines in September when he crashed into a train at a level crossing and miraculously walked away, will talk about mental toughness in sport.

He said while everyone wanted to know about how he ended up crashing into a train, which police charged him over, Gurney would instead recall adventures including a recent kite-powered Kiwis versus Aussies race across the Sahara Desert where he fractured his face, ripped tendons in his shoulder and broke his shoulder blade.

"People love stories and it's the best way to teach. I want to set the scene by just telling some of the adventures I've done, some of the races I've won and some of the races I've lost, and too many hospital visits.

"It's a humorous look at some of the trips I've done, some of the funny things that have happened, some of the scary animals we've faced, and ... what can we learn about risks."

Also giving seminars will be Ussher and his wife, Elina, who together make up the country's most successful multisport couple, having won multiple New Zealand and world titles in the sport.

The two-day event starting tomorrow at Claudelands Event Centre will showcase the industry's latest products while providing an interactive show for punters.

There will be an indoor track for mountain bikers, a BikeNZ demonstration area for teaching children how to ride, dirt jumps, a mountain bike skill session and a supersized stunt cushion.

Event-goers are encouraged to ride their own bikes to the expo for a discounted entry fee and a supervised bike park will be provided.

And it coincides with the inaugural On Your Bike Hundy K road race being staged across the Waikato tomorrow over two distances, 30km or 100km. Race riders will get free entry to the show.

Classic Events managing director Michele Connell said the brand new event targeted a fast growing industry.

"Cycling and multisport is so strong but we're also covering off BMX and mountain biking," she said.

Other athletes attending include mountain bikers Kelly McGarry and Brook MacDonald and there will be prizes for the fastest lap time for men and women on the pump track.

An Epic Destinations area will feature some of the best places in New Zealand to do multisport including Queenstown.

Visit Ruapehu is giving away a package for four to bike to the Bridge To Nowhere and jet boat out.

Mrs Connell said Classic Events was staging the expo because people had asked for it.

"We did a bit of research and found that there was a lot of people doing cycling and there was nothing dedicated to cycling and multisport."

She was expecting up to 10,000 people through the doors.

Event

What: On Your Bike cycling and multisport expo
Where: Claudelands Event Centre
When: November 12 and 13
Entry: Adult $15, children under 16 $10, preschoolers free.