Pedal for Parkinsons Open Cycle Race Announced

Pedal for Parkinsons Open Cycle Race Announced

8 December 2014

A slice of Europe will come to the Wairarapa next February when the region hosts Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge, an open bike race styled on the popular Gran Fondo.

Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge, to be held on Saturday, February 21st will be one of the highlights of the new Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival, which will celebrate the Wairarapa’s bike-friendly roads, tracks and trails; the people that ride on them and the bikes they ride.

Huri Huri event manager Catherine Rossiter-Stead says Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge will offer cyclists the choice to cover three distances – 18km, 45km and 72km – around the pretty rolling country-side of Gladstone. All three distances will feature a challenging 12km hill climb that takes riders up to the summit of Admiral Hill where a festive atmosphere will greet them.

“France has Alpe d’Huez and the Wairarapa has Admiral Hill, a beautiful part of the region and the setting for our new Gran Fondo cycling event Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge,” she says. “This race is open to all riders and the three distances offered means riders can challenge themselves.”

Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge will also be held on the same course and on the same day as stage four of the Trust House Women’s Tour of New Zealand which will attract the women’s elite riders to the Wairarapa. Mrs Rossiter-Stead says having the two events on the same day will help create a unique European styled cycle race atmosphere.

“We hope to create a festive village on top of Admiral Hill so that riders who have completed the Pedal for Parkinson’s cycle race can then welcome in the world’s best female riders” she says. “There will be a real festive atmosphere lining the course as well as within the tent village at the top of the hill.”

The race will also see any monies raised go towards Parkinson’s New Zealand, a voluntary non-profit organisation providing support, education and information for people living with Parkinson’s, their families, carers and health professionals.

The three race routes all start at the Gladstone Vineyard and finish on top of Admiral Hill. The 72km race features two loops of the Gladstone Rd/ Kokotau Rd / Millars Rd / Longbush Rd circuit before finishing ontop of Admiral Hill; the 45km race is one loop of the Gladstone Rd circuit while the 18km race is a straight route between Gladstone Rd then up Admiral Hill

Interested cyclists can enter online at www.raceentries.co.nz. Race entry fees are open for riders 15 years and over. Cost is $40.00 per adult and $20.00 for youth (aged 15-18).

Pedal for Parkinsons Hill Challenge will be one of the feature events of Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival taking place at various venues throughout the Wairarapa from Feburary 14th – 22nd. It will be a fun festival encouraging people to get out on their bikes, be active and enjoy the amazing cycling the Wairarapa has to offer.

ENDS

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