Cyclemania Releases 2009 Event Programme

4 November 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Cyclemania Programme

Cyclemania, Taupo’s festival of cycling which leads up to New Zealand’s largest cycling event, the Wattly Lake Taup Cycle Challenge, kicks off on Monday November 23 with a chance to have a go at a gentle mountain bike duathlon.

Organised by the Taupo Triathlon club, Monday’s event is is one of several being run thorughout the week by a range of local clubs.

Event organiser, Lianne Fraser, says first-timers and novices are especially welcome at all the activities.

“As well as wanting visitors, who are coming to Taupo for Cycle Challenge, to have more reasons to stay longer, we want to encourage locals to have a go as well,” she says.

“Local clubs and cycle shops are fantastic the way they’re supporting the Cyclemania event. They’ve helped organise cycling clinics, have a go events on the Taupo race track, velodrome as well as the newly upgraded BMX track.”

Friday is the big day, with an attempt at a 24-hour static cycling Guinness World Record beginning outside Whitcoulls, a pre-wheeler event for younger members of the community and a parade of quirky, odd bikes with the chance to give them a go too.

New Zealand freestyle BMX champion, Jed Mildon, will set up a portable display ramp in Horomatangi Street for an event he’s calling the ‘J@M Session Battle’. He’ll be joined by fellow competing freestyle BMX riders from Australia and around NZ and says it’s a great opportunity to see the skill and athleticism of BMX.

Finally, is the men’s and women’s street criterium race organised by Peter Ulmer with some of New Zealand’s top riders competing.

Taupo’s cycle shops will be open late and Lianne suggests spectators check out some of the awesome deals that will be available onthe night.

Finally on Sunday, is the perfect warm down ride after Cycle Challenge, with a second Guinness World Record attempt for the longest parade of bikes.

The Cyclemania programme will be available at a range of local stores and is on their website href="http://http://www.cyclcemania.co.nz".

Cyclemania was launched in 2008 and is a joint venture between Bike Taupo, Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, the Taupo District Council and Sport Waikato.

ENDS

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