Connor Hamilton (left), Katie O'Neill, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell, Julian Dean, Gaz Sullivan and Dave Donaldson are proud locals representing the 2015 Rotorua Bike Festival.
Connor Hamilton (left), Katie O'Neill, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell, Julian Dean, Gaz Sullivan and Dave Donaldson are proud locals representing the 2015 Rotorua Bike Festival.
As well as drawing in hundreds of people to its various events, the Rotorua Bike Festival is catching international attention.
Some of the videos from the event are being shared on mountain bike websites, Bike Festival partner Graeme Simpson said.
"Videos are being shared by pink bike, IMB; websites thathave Facebook pages that have a quarter of a million Facebook followers; that is just massive coverage.
A highlight of the festival so far was Friday's Ride the Runway and Flying Kilo event at the Rotorua Airport, which saw about 1400 people attend and participate in the events, he said.
Image 1 of 8: Connor Hamilton (left), Katie O'Neill, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell, Gary Stoker and Dave Donaldson are proud to be ambassadors for the Rotorua Bike Festival.
04 February 2015 Rotorua Daily Post Photogr
"It was the first year we have run that event so we were not really sure how it would go. We printed 500 number plates and ran out.
"We were calculating 830 total riders, but have decided to go with 1400 people for total involvement.
"Standing in the middle of the runway project was a huge highlight for me. I was standing in the middle of the runway with 800 people waiting to ride over the side of the fence, it's a moment I will never forget."
The number of people attending events had surpassed previous years.
"All numbers are up across all events, it is hard to be definitive about entry numbers, but going with about 2400 for the first four days, which is up on last year, and we have probably got about 1400 entries we know of for events on the second weekend, and that's just so far, so we are right up there."
There were lots of events to look forward to before the weekend, he said.
"The Big Bike Film Night [tomorrow] is new to the festival. It's before another weekend, so you can take a bit of a break and watch some films.
"I am really looking forward to the Redwood coast on Friday. It's always been a really successful event and from what we are hearing, should be more successful. "
