Rotorua 'mountain bike paradise' for prize-winner

THE WINNER IS: Sydneysider Mike Kennedy has won an awesome prize package for next year's Rotorua Bike Festival. PHOTO/TODD WESTLAKE

Sydney mountain biker Mike Kennedy says his hands still hurt after giving out so many "high fives" after being told he'd won return air fares for two to Rotorua for the city's Bike Festival in February.

"When I got the call I couldn't believe it.

"I was on location doing a photo shoot and I ran around whooping and high fiving. My hand still hurts, but in a good way," he said.

The mountain biker and photographer from Dee Why on the northern beaches of Sydney has visited Rotorua before, the first time in 2012, and he was back in October this year with 2-Wheel Tours.

"Let's just say I fell in love with Whakarewarewa all over again," he said. "It's my 48th birthday in a few days, so what a great time to win another trip to mountain bike paradise."

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He will be bringing his brother, Paul, on the trip.

"I'm really stoked to be able to share this experience with him," Mr Kennedy said.

"He's always wanted to go, but with two small boys the dream has eluded him until now."

The brothers have been mountain biking since the 1990s and Paul is the trail builder at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.

"I'm really looking forward to showing him the amazing network of trails in Whaka and watching his brain explode with happiness.

"And also getting him into the Skyline Rotorua Gravity Bike Park ... it's so much fun."

The competition was a collaboration between Flow MTB - Australia's biggest online mountain bike website, Rotorua Airport and the Rotorua Bike Festival.

A whole range of Rotorua tourism destinations will also be hosting the Kennedy brothers to a total prize value of $7500.

Visits to Multi Day Adventures Te Puia, Mountain Bike Rotorua, Ogo, Agroventures Adventure Park, Skyline Gravity Park, Off Road NZ, spa treatments at Polynesian Spa, merchandise from Nzo, hospitality by Capers Epicurean and the Pig and Whistle, accommodation by Millennium Hotel Rotorua and a vehicle to get around in from Thrifty Rentals will make it the perfect Rotorua experience.

"Thanks to all those sponsors for making amazing trip possible.

"Paul and I can't wait," Mr Kennedy said.

Rotorua Airport business development manager Anna Rodgers said she was thrilled with the numbers of competition entries and the enthusiasm of the winners.

"It's great making that phone call," she said.

"You make someone's day and no one is ever disappointed by winning something. Mike was no exception. He knew straight away why I was calling and was super excited to have won this dream MTB package."

She said the numbers of Australian mountain bikers visiting Rotorua had risen dramatically in the last few years.

"The festival gives them yet another reason to visit Rotorua and helps convert people from 'we'll go one day' to 'let's go now' travellers," she said.

-Visit www.rotoruabikefestival.com for more on the 2015 Rotorua Bike Festival.