NZ summer fun rides are underway

Ben Christian enjoys the first fun ride of the season ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Oct 3rd, 11.The NZ summer must be on its way - the roads are full of riders reconnecting with their bikes and weekend fun rides are popping up all around the country.

Whether their goals are a personal best in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in the North Island, or a top ride at the PowerNet Tour of Southland in the South Island, it seems everyone has a reason to be on a bike at the moment.

Fun rides are a great way to test form and to get additional intensity in the lead up to goal events.

This weekend one of the first of the summer season of fun rides was held when Wellington Veteran's Cycle Club hosted the Lake Wairarapa Cycle Challenge yesterday.

While rain greeted the many Wellingtonians who drove (or rode) over the Rimutaka Incline to the Featherston startline, the 350 riders enjoyed dry conditions around the 80km or 64km circuit.

Those who set off in the front group soon realised the day was not going to be an easy introduction to the summer season of racing. Within the first 10km the peloton was racing along the side of the lake at 58km/h!

While fun rides have an emphasis on participation, there are always riders hunting for the victory.

The Wheelworks Racing team was warmed up after riding the Round the Mountain graded race the day before, young riders were tweeking their race performance ahead of the Schools Nationals later this week and Vet riders were keen to show they are still a force to be reckoned with.

Tosh Kowalewski wins the sprint ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Behind them the rest of the field enjoyed the day to a greater of lesser extent as they realised their training was, or was not, on target.

RoadCycling.co.nz's Ben Christian was on his inaugural ride with his new BMC bike - a mid winter crash had laid his old bike to rest.  With the #13 bib on his back he was happy his only bad luck was when he was caught on the wrong side of a front bunch split early in the race. 

His summary of the day - the bike was great, the engine needed more training.

Check out RoadCycling.co.nz's Event Calendar for the next fun ride in your area - if we have missed a ride, join the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and send us a link to the ride and we will get it included.

The second wave to leave Featherston is strung out as they head around Lake Wairarapa ©RoadCycling.co.nz