Mayor challenges community to back him on bikes

Rodney Mayor John Law is calling all Rodney cyclists, “keen or casual”, to help him bring home the coveted title of New Zealand’s Cycle Mad City 2007.

Rodney is one of 23 regions taking part in this year’s Mayoral Cycling Challenge, a national event held to mark Bike Wise Week.

Mayors are challenged to get the greatest number of people cycling behind them.љ Mayor Law will lead off from Orewa Surf Club at 10am on Sunday 25th February, and organisers are hoping for 3000 or more local entries.

Every person the mayor gets riding behind him earns one point.љ Every celebrity that goes on the ride earns an extra 10 bonus points.љ

Last year 7,000 cyclists took part throughout the country, in 18 regions. This year 23 regions are participating and supporter turnout is expected to be 10,000 or more nationwide. The winner of last year’s event, New Plymouth, managed to mobilise 2,000 riders behind Mayor Peter Tennant and they won the challenge with a score of 2,390.љ

Mayor Law says having fun riding is the real emphasis of the event.љ “I want to challenge even people who haven’t cycled much before to come along and have a go, rain or shine, win or lose.”љ

He emphasised the value of this event for friends, families and individuals of all ages.љ Schools in the district will also be big winners – all cyclists who register pick a school.љ Two school prizes are up for grabs: the most cyclists, and the most cyclists per capita.љ Two schools will win $1000 each worth of sports equipment.

Belinda Matheson, local organiser and Travel Planner at Rodney District Council, says:љ “We will have many prizes up for grabs.љ There’s a bike, lots of bike accessories and loads of items have been donated by local businesses – from ice cream to body cream!”

“Last year New Plymouth won it with less than 2500 riders, I am sure we in Rodney can do better,” she says.

The Mayoral Challenge is organised by Bike Wise and sponsored nationally by Avanti and Tasti Foods.љ Local sponsors include Waiwera Water, Orewa Surf Life Saving Club, Orewa Lions, Church for Life, New World, Bonita Bananas, The Leisure Centre, Rodney District Council, McDonalds, Subway, Orewa Care Chemist, Plantation, Full Cycle

To enter, participants can register using_ the form sent home from school, and on the day from 9am at Orewa Reserve.љ For more info, call Belinda Matheson on 0800 426 5169.

ENDS.

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