Image credit: Alan Ofsoski
The Rotorua Bike Festival is New Zealand’s biggest biking event and for 10 days, the whole city is taken over by biking enthusiasts from the hardcore downhillers to the long distance road bikers. This year’s event will take place from the 10-19 February and we can once again expect hundreds to descend on Rotorua to join in with the fun.
Rotorua is the perfect place for many of these adrenaline junkies. In addition to the amazing mountain biking scene in Rotorua, the city is also the home of some of New Zealand’s best adventure activities including zorbing, jet boating, bungy jumping, luging, sky swinging, The Shweeb and more! Throw in on top of that all the amazing geo thermal wonders in and around the city and you have all the ingredients for an awesome 10 days of summer in Rotorua.
The Rotorua Bike Festival Programme
This year’s programme of events is bigger and better than ever. With 25 events spread out across the 10 days and something for the whole family, deciding what to get involved with could be your biggest headache! We’ve pulled together our top 5 favourite events from the Rotorua Bike Festival to whet your appetite:
1. Sport Bay of Plenty GO by Bike Day – Friday 10 February
This is an ever popular event and whilst it may lack the wow factor of some of the bigger events, it’s definitely great to see so many people out and about on their bikes. This event is all about changing your usual routines and hopping on the bike to get to school or work. There are various pit stops set up around the city where you can pick up spot prizes and light refreshments and it’s just great to see less cars and more bikes on the road.
2. Giant 2W Gravity Enduro – Saturday 11 February – Lake Tikitapu
This is always one of the highlights of the Rotorua Bike Festival and this year promises much of the same. The event attracts all riders who seek to have fun and hone their skills on flowing downhill trails; catering to everyone from the recreational rider to the elite athlete; young to old. It’s not necessarily about being the best athlete; the event can be won by literally anyone and skills, fitness and tactics play an equal role in the execution of each ‘Race Stage’ timed run over the course of the event to decide who will be crowned Gravity Enduro champions.
3. Frocks on Bikes – Sunday 12 February – Government Gardens
Frocks on Bikes is a great way of getting ladies back out on their bikes. Image credit: Alan Ofsoski
Frocks on Bikes is all about having fun and creating memorable experiences with friends and family. This is an opportunity to give biking a go, even if you’ve never done it before or it’s been years since you last got on two wheels. This event creates a safe and fun environment to get involved and have some fun. Participants are made to feel welcome and the ride is carefully planned so that it is easy and safe so you can feel comfortable getting back in that saddle.
4. 16” Dual Slalom World Champs – Wednesday 15 February – Dodzy Skills Park
Showcase your skills at the Slalom World Champs. Image credit: Nick Lambert | www.zeroseven.co.nz
It’s not many places you can come along and see a World Championship event but the Rotorua Bike Festival give you the opportunity to see the world’s best slalom riders doing their thing. This one is a crowd favourite from past bike festivals and delivers spills, thrills, speed and action which promise to entertain the spectators just as much as the riders!
5. Agroventures Freestyle AirBag BIG AIR Comp – Friday 17 February – Agroventures Adventure Park
This is the one event at the Festival where money is on the line! Hit air like never before and throw down your biggest aerial trick to take out the crown of Agroventures Freestyle Airbag champion 2017. Over $2,000 worth of cash prizes to be won! And if you aren’t into throwing down your own tricks, came and watch some of the country’s finest in action. A spectacle not to be missed!!! There are a number of age categories available to enter and other spot prizes will be available on the day.
There are so many events taking place across the week that it was hard to narrow down a top 5. For the full programme, please visit the official Rotorua Bike Festival website.
Rotorua Bike Festival Passport
One great feature of the Rotorua Bike Festival is the Passport – a way to help support local businesses and give you the opportunity to win some awesome prizes. The Passport is a virtual one and works through your mobile device. Once you have downloaded the app, you simply need to scan special QR code in participating shops and you will be in with a chance of winning some great prizes. Simple. Find out more here.
For full details of the Festival including information about other things to do in the city and where you can go to watch some of the events, visit the Rotorua Bike Festival website.