CYCLING

The Avanti Plus 'Girls Weekend' Ride

Brand new event - Just for the Girls — Bike Hawke's Bay

It’s not your average event, in fact it’s probably as far away from it as you could get. Expect to be refreshingly surprised and delighted ……… well if you are one of the girls that is.

Bike Hawke’s Bay is proud to bring to you the first “Avanti Plus Hastings Girls Weekend Ride” in Hawke’s Bay. Ladies book in your calendar the weekend of April 10th & 11th 2010 and get a group of girls to come enjoy a weekend of cycling, food, wine and fashion.

The Hawke’s Bay region is renowned for its fantastic climate, amazing vineyards and wineries. Here is a chance to get on your bike and come experience this in Havelock North. Black Barn Vineyards is the fabulous venue for this exciting new Woman’s only event.

There are two stunning courses to choose from around the Tukituki Valley. This circuit was recently voted by Kieran Turner (CEO BikeNZ) as one of the top ten road rides in NZ!

The Black Barn 65km Challenge is for riders looking for a challenge and enjoy the hills. Starting at Black Barn Vineyards it races around two laps of the fantastic Tukituki circuit before finishing back at Black Barn. The views and hills are breathtaking! Not for the faint hearted.

The Roadsafe HB 20km ride is for riders who prefer shorter distances or are new to events. A safe, achievable, fun course starts at Black Barn Vineyards before heading onto the fantastic Rotary Pathway. The pathway is a limestone surface winding beside river, willows, orchards and vineyards – stunning! The course joins the road at Black Bridge then the ride continues back via the road to Black Barn Vineyards. So get your entry in and start training. This course is suitable for both road and mountain bikes.

Entry forms are online or available for downloading at www.blackbarn.com. Check out the great local accommodation packages available. The ride on Sunday April 11th starts from 9.30am at Black Barn Vineyards, with some fun age categories. Registration is on Saturday April 10th from 3.00 to 5.30pm at Black Barn Vineyards also.

Registration will culminate with an exclusive Annah S. Fashion Show in the Underground Cellar. All riders are encouraged to ride to registration in a “Frock”. As after you are then invited to join the local “Frocks on Bikes”, the “Deco Bike Belle’s” to ride back into Havelock North Village for some imbibing. Treat yourself and pull out your ‘frock’, as there also will be spot prizes for best “Frocked” at Registration.

As part of Bike Hawke’s Bay philosophy to give back to the community, this year $5 from each entry will be donated to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. So come support this deserving cause.

The following sponsors have come on board to make your experience even more memorable. Avanti Plus Hastings has a bike to give away as one of the major spot prizes. Other superb prizes include BlackBarn Vineyards donating a luxurious weekend accommodation package valued at $1200.00. Takaro Trails are giving away an amazing Hawke’s Bay cycling weekend escape holiday package valued at $935.00. Sponsors for this new event also include Roadsafe HB, Annah S., Arataki Honey, Farmlands, and Sport HB.

If there was an event you should do this year ladies this is it! Whether you need a new challenge, motivation to keep training or if you are looking to do your first event get out your bike and come join us for a fabulous, fun weekend in Hawke’s Bay.

Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North, Sunday April 11th 2010
Website for entries: www.blackbarn.com