RBF 16 affected by the weather - still a big success with more to come

After 3 years of perfect weather and a record-breaking opening weekend, the Rotorua Bike Festival is being affected by the current heavy rain and strong winds.

Wednesday’s Sport Bay of Plenty Tykes on Trikes was cancelled and Revolve Rotorua’s Dipper Dash, postponed.

“It’s the first time in 6 years we’ve cancelled,” said Tykes on Trikes organiser, Kirsty Carling. “But we’ll be back at the Festival in 2017.”

The Dipper Dash will be rescheduled till March.

“It’s still part of the Festival, just not this week,” said David Crowley from the Bike Festival Charitable Trust. “We’ll be supporting it whenever it is.”

The Festival team are keeping a close watch on the weather. 

Orienteering Bay of Plenty’s MTB Adventure Quest is on from 4pm, Thursday evening.

The Skyline Sprint Warrior is scheduled for all day Friday.

“The event organisers will make the calls on these in the next 24 hours with the Festival’s full backing,” Crowley added. “We’ll get the word out on our Facebook page."


MTB Beginners Ride - Allan Ure. Photo © Photos4Sale

The opening 5 days of the festival were a resounding success with well over 4000 people participating in a wide range of different events.

The forecast is fine for the weekend and this number will increase.

Saturday features Sport Bay of Plenty’s Family Fun Ride, from 9AM in Government Gardens.
It’s open to all and free.

On Mountain Road on Mount Ngongotaha Cycling Rotorua will be running a Hill Climb Fun Challenge starting at noon.

Entry is on the day and is $5.

The WEMBO 24 hour Solo World Championships start at midday, alongside the Niner Bikes 24 Hours of Nduro. Entry is still open for the 24 Hours of Nduro till midnight Wednesday and WEMBO entry till midnight Thursday.

Frocks on Bikes wraps up the Festival with a leisurely ride to Ngongotaha and back on the cycleway from 11am to 2pm, starting from the Rotorua Lakes Council car park. 

“We want all Rotorua bikers to get out and ride or watch these events and our website has all the details and entry information,” Crowley continued. “Even with this weather, it’s been another brilliant festival.”

The 10-day Festival is presented RotoruaNZ.com along with the Rotorua Trust and The Southern Trust.