One of New Zealand's top mountain bikers, James "Dodzy" Dodds died in 2012.
An event with an unusual name and a heart of gold will be one of the highlights of the second Rotorua Bike Festival.
Yeah Boi Sick Race will be a celebration of one of New Zealand's top mountain bikers, James "Dodzy" Dodds who died in 2012.
He was a New Zealand representative in downhill, a trail and bike designer and builder and also taught mountain bike skills.
The organisers of the race are Jo Price and Budgie Woods, close friends of Dodds.
"The term yeah boi, sick is a complete Dodzyism," Jo explained. "He used to say 'sick' a lot."
Yeah Boi Sick is a short course sprint up the tar seal of Nursery Hill, the northern entry to the Whakarewarewa mountain bike network and then back down the steep, technical Exit Trail.
While it's a test of fitness and skill, it's mainly about having fun.
And there's a serious spin: to raise as much money as possible for the James Dodds Memorial Fund.
Dodds' long-time partner, Gabby Molly, and the Rotorua-based Geyser Community Foundation created the fund in his name.
To start with, the income will be used to maintain a mountain bike skills park the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club is building in his memory.
The first Yeah Boi Sick Race was held the week before Christmas in 2012.
It was a beautiful, warm summer's evening in Rotorua with the giant Redwoods on Long Mile Road lit up by the late afternoon sun.
There was a wide range of riders and bikes - from big downhill bikes to lightweight cross-country bikes.
Julian Dean borrowed a mountain bike and helmet and did a lap with his young son Tanner on his BMX.
Dean then signed one of his race shirts and donated it to the auction that followed the race.
The big winner on the night was the Memorial Fund with more than $9000 raised.
In 2014, the race moves into the Rotorua Bike Festival and will be run on the evening of Tuesday, February 18.
The National Mountain Bike Championships are on the first weekend of the festival. Most of the country's top riders will stay in Rotorua to participate in other events through the week, including Yeah Boi Sick Race.
"Dodzy was a real legend of our sport and a lot of the younger riders looked up to him as a role model and a mate," said Jo Price. "They'll love to be able to be part of this."
Gabby Molloy will be at the race and knows James would approve.
"What is there to say? He'd freakin' love it and I can guarantee he'll be here with us, ripping it up, yelling and grinning, mixing it up as only Dodzy can," she said.
The race is part of 10 days of cycling events from Friday, February 14 to Sunday, February 23.
With about 30 events the festival covers all cycling disciplines with road, BMX and mountain bike races.
"The idea is to have something for everyone, no matter their age, gender or skill level," said Graeme Simpson from the Bike Festival team.
"We want to get people on their bikes and enjoy some riding in the summer sun."
For Simpson an event like the Yeah Boi Sick Race sums up the spirit of the festival.
"Anyone can enter, its light-hearted and a chance for people to dress up and have a laugh and it's only 10 bucks to enter," he said.
Overall rider numbers are already well up on the first festival.
Two mountain bike events - the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro and Skyline Sprint Warrior - sold out and entries for the feature road events, Bike the Lake and the Inner City Street Criterium, are also well up.
"At this time last year it was a bit hard to judge how the first festival would go and it ended up being a real success," said Simpson.
"This year we are sure it'll be bigger, better and brighter and a really solid platform for the future."
When: February 14 to February 23
Where: Rotorua
For more information: www.rotoruabikefestival.com
Friday, February 14
Sport BoP Go By Bike (to breakfast). Never start a bike festival on an empty stomach, okay? Checkpoints will be on the Sport BoP website.
The Redwoods Coast returns: No pedalling, just momentum ... who coasts furthest, wins. Gold coin donation and great for spectators ... Nursery Hill and Long Mile ...
Saturday, February 15
2014 National Mountain Bike Championships. XC titles up for grabs with Race HQ on Radio Hutt Road - and practise and seeding for downhill on the Taniwha.
XRACE Rotorua. A challenging race against the clock and other family teams. Venue: Top secret.
New Zealand Home Loans Family Fun Ride for all the family from Waipa MTB car park.
Bike polo. A favourite from 2013 returns in 2014. Super skill and the North Island bike polo title at stake. Kuirau Park tennis courts.
BMX Rotorua Meeting and PUMP Time Trial. One of New Zealand's most successful BMX clubs will host - race action then the track action in the evening. Off Te Ngae Rd ...
Sunday, February 16
2014 National Mountain Bike Championships.
Downhill national champs on the Taniwha - drama and big air and national titles on the line. Race HQ and finish line: Pipeline Rd.
IBIS Bike the Lake. Circumnavigate Lake Rotorua. 1 or 2 x 42km laps - a top cycling challenge for elite racers to recreational riders. Race HQ: the Village Green.
Frocks on Bikes ... and Boats. Bike from the Tarawera Rd end of Long Mile to the Lakeland Queen for a trip on the lake for high tea.
Monday, February 17
Bike Speedway at Government Gardens. A fantastic event in 2013, now in front of one of NZ's iconic buildings. Hospitality by the Blue Baths.
Tuesday, February 18
The return of the Yeah Boi Sick race. A fundraiser for the James Dodds Memorial Foundation. Up Nursery, down Exit - or Old Exit. Race HQ: End of Long Mile.
Cycling Rotorua Eastgate Street Crits. Fast road action out near the airport.
Wednesday, February 19
Tykes on Trikes. Littlies having fun - love it ... on the Village Green.
South Star Ladies Shuttle Night and cake! On the best downhill trails in the Forest. Meet at Hill Rd gate.
Give it a Go BMX in a friendly, safe environment at Rotorua BMX Rotorua off Te Ngae Rd.
Agroventures Shweeb World Championships - the world's only person-powered monorail bike race. Plus all Agroventures' other activities off SH5 just up from the Ngongotaha roundabout.
Thursday, February 20
Skyline Gravity Park - open day. Check out new trails including race course for Friday's Sprint Warrior. Skyline Skyrides.
OGO Roll it, Ride it, Race it Dual Slalom. Set on the beautiful hillside of OGO Rotorua, home of the world 2006 4X event. Boom ... Fairy Springs Rd.
Lone Star Cycling Rotorua Bryce Road Ride. Roadie heaven. Summer evening in the country.
Friday, February 21
Skyline Sprint Warrior Race Day. (sold out). Race day on Mount Ngongotaha. Gondola access to a specially built trail to test the best and a blast for the rest. Skyline Skyrides.
Saturday, February 22
Giant 2W Gravity Enduro (sold out). Multi-stage racing at its best ... give some of the world-famous Whakarewarewa MTB trails a work-out. Various whaka trails.
LIKEaBIKE Kiddie Cross A short course, off road circuit for children aged 2-7 years. Rotorua Youth Centre, corner Te Ngae Rd and Fenton St.
Sunday, February 23
MTB Adventure Quest. Maps and bikes and great for families. HQ at Waipa MTB Car Park.
Waipa Bike Fair. Bike stuff - bike demos, swap meet, food Stalls, wine and beer garden at Mountain Bike Rotorua and Waipa MTB Car Park.
Pimp Your Bike. Small kids and big kids at heart spruce up their wheels. Government Gardens is the place to be.
Telecom Inner City Street Criterium Kiddie Crit. A short course road criterium for children age from 2 to 7 years. Eat Streat.
Telecom Inner City Street Criterium. Big afternoon for the roadies.
And spectators - enjoy a coffee or a beverage an arm's length from the action. HQ is same as the Kiddie Crit.
OPINION: Sport, with its fine margins such as this, can be beautiful and brutal.