Bike Mania: Event caters for kids of all abilities

Hundreds of Rotorua children are expected to dust off their bikes, pull out their favourite dress-up clothes and head down to Puarenga Park for Bike Mania this weekend.

The event is expected to be a blast once again.

Organiser and Daily Post deliveries manager Jenny McGarvie said they hoped parents and grandparents would head down to the park with their children and their bikes this Sunday for the event. Hundreds of kids took part last year and they were expecting similar numbers this year.

"It will go ahead rain or shine," she said.

The kids were sure to enjoy the event, with Olympic cycling medallists Sarah Walker (BMX) and Sam Bewley (team pursuit) taking part this year, Mrs McGarvie said.

The event is run with The Daily Post and funds raised go towards Literacy in Homes.

There are three tracks for the participants, including one for those without any experience while another will see the more experienced riders taking on the Redwoods. Major Mania is a 2km course, Massive Mania 4km and Mammoth Mania is 10km long.

There will be a giant bouncy castle for the kids to enjoy, as well lots of food stalls on the day.

Registrations are $20 and can be made online at www.bikemania.co.nz or on Sunday morning at 10am at the park. Official T-shirts cost $25.

The major prize is a bike from Cycle Zone.

• 
  Bikes must be checked before riders take to the tracks. This can be done free of charge on the morning or beforehand at Cycle Zone. There will be plenty of spot prizes and lots of fun on offer for those who head down. The day kicks off at 10.30am, with prize-giving about 2pm.