Shortland St star gets on her bike

Bikers for Breast Cancer; Shortland St star gets on her bike

More than 350 “pinked out” motorbikes, from 50cc scooters to 2000cc Harley Davidson and Suzuki cruisers, are expected to take part in the Women’s International Motorcycle Association’s (WIMA) annual Pink Ribbon Ride in Auckland this Sunday October 12, raising funds for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.

Riding pillion will be Shortland Street star and NZBCF ambassador Jacqueline Nairn. Nairn, better known to TV viewers as Nurse Wendy Cooper, will be presenting awards such as “best-dressed bike” at the end of the ride. It’s her first time on the Pink Ride.

“I’ve heard great things about the ride, and the warm welcome it gets from Aucklanders as it passes through town,” she said. “It’s a fantastic, unique way to raise awareness and achieve something positive by raising funds for the NZBCF’s research and education work. I've never ridden a Harley and I’m not sure who I’ll be holding onto yet, but I can’t wait to get on my bike.”

The ride departs from the AMI Auckland Netball Centre in St Johns at 10:30am sharp, and finishes at Western Springs Stadium by 11:15. Thanks to a police escort, riders will enjoy a rare uninterrupted ride through Auckland’s streets, with guaranteed green lights.

Anyone, male or female, is welcome to ride their motorcycle in the Pink Ribbon Ride, with a $10 badge purchase the suggested entry fee. Decorating bikes with pink paraphernalia is encouraged. Riders and the public can enjoy a barbecue, coffee vans and raffles at Western Springs Stadium at the end of the ride. Breast cancer survivors and their families are invited to take a free ride on Metrolink’s Pink Bus along the route to Western Springs (the bus will return them to the AMI Netball Centre during the afternoon).

The ride can be watched from anywhere – it’ll be hard to miss – but a good vantage point to take in the whole spectacle is the pedestrian overbridge near Parnell Baths on Tamaki Drive.

This year is the 11th anniversary of the ride and it still amazes Christine Mudford, WIMA’s National Pink Ribbon Ride Co-ordinator how many riders attend for the first time each year. “This event is well established on the Motorcycle Charity Ride Calendar and I am always delighted to meet people who are attending the ride for the first time. People come from all around the region, often because of their own connection to this disease.”

Since the inaugural ride in 2004, WIMA has raised over $80,000 for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation through its Auckland and Wellington events. “It’s a wonderful, noisy occasion that brings together women, men and families – it’s exhilarating, a real spectacle,” said NZBCF chief executive Van Henderson. “We so appreciate the money WIMA raises for us each year.”

Bikes will start arriving at the AMI Auckland Netball Centre, off Morrin Road in St Johns, from 9:00am on Sunday. The ride departs at 10:30am sharp, following Kohimarama Road, St Heliers Bay Rd, Tamaki Drive, Quay Street, Hobson Street, Pitt Street, Karangahape Road, Great North Road to Western Springs Stadium.

Breast Cancer survivors are welcome to join the ride, either as spectators or pillion riders.

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