Frocks bring fun to last event

From left, Mary Anne Gill, Kim McGrath and Sue Newham. Photo / Stephen Parker

Frocks were the outfit of choice during yesterday's Frocks on Bikes, the final event of the Rotorua Bike Festival.

Event organiser Natasja du Plessis said the event went really well and they even had some children and men join in.

"We had about 55 people in total, it was lovely and we even had a few ladies who hadn't been on a bike for a long time."

Mrs de Plessis said the event was about giving everyday people the confidence to get out and bike.

"Hopefully we can get people to a point where they feel confident to cycle to work and use the city's cycleways."

She said she was "super stoked" that the weather had pulled through for the last day.

There were spot prizes as well as a prize for best dressed, which was won by Karen Hunt.

"She wore a beautiful beach sun hat over her helmet and it matched her dress beautifully," Mrs de Plessis said.

Frocks on Bikes was a free event that started at 11am and went until 2pm. Bikers started and finished at the Rotorua Lakes Council carpark.

Mrs du Plessis said it was a leisurely ride to the Essence Cafe in Ngongotaha via the Ngongotaha Cycle Trail, where they had a light lunch before heading back.

Rotorua Bike Festival media manager Graeme Simpson said the Rotorua Bike Festival as a whole was a very big success, despite the rain postponing some events.

"Our numbers are about 10 per cent up on last year and we are double the first festival numbers from 2013, which is fantastic.

"The really cool aspect of this festival is the really high per cent of Rotorua people who are active during the week.

"It's really brilliant to see our local people get out on their bikes," Mr Simpson said.

He said there were about 5500 people who participated in the festival overall, and because there were some postponed events it was like the festival was still going on.

Postponed events:

* MTB Adventure Quest rescheduled for Thursday.

* Revolve Rotorua Dipper Dash will be rescheduled for March.

* Sprint Warrior to be rescheduled.