Going back to grassroots with beginners week

This weekend the Rotorua Bike Festival is giving beginners the chance to find out why two wheels are so good.

There's a wide range of activities that involve the entire family.

On Sunday, the LIKE-a-BIKE Kiddie Cross will get children from as young as two on an off-road circuit. It's a short course with separate races for all age groups, including balance bike entries for the young riders.

Tomorrow, it's all about family participation.

A special edition of XRACE is being held to celebrate the bike festival. All event organiser Shane Hooks has revealed is that there's a special bike option and all entrants should bring a bike if they can.

The XRACE is a challenging event against the clock between family teams. Teams of two must find and complete 10 mystery challenges.

If you've never ridden a bike but would like to give it a go, head to Waipa on Sunday for the MTB Beginner's Open Day. This free event will give people the chance to discover why the Whakarewarewa Forest is considered world class.

Hire bikes are available free but registration is required to secure a bike. If you're bringing your own there will be an on-site bike mechanic to give it a check.

Event organiser Paula Alexander said: "I really want to encourage as many locals as possible to come along to our event, learn a new skill, be armed with confidence and guided through our beautiful forest.

"Whakarewarewa Forest is taonga, a treasure in our own backyard, which is absolutely free to experience."

There will be two 90-minute guided sessions and they will include a basic skills session and a leisurely guided ride.

Mrs Alexander said she hoped to bring "all walks of life" together at the event and prove that mountain biking in the forest was for everyone.

Riders must be aged 8 and over and under-12s must be accompanied by an adult. -To register email papwaipu@hotmail.com