INSPO Fitness Journal May 2017

Photos by Michael Jeans
Cambridge Twilight Cycling Festival
Held on ANZAC Day, the Cambridge
Twilight Cycling Festival (supported by
Craigs Investment Partners and Brian Perry
Charitable Trust) was a fantastic community
event aimed at encouraging riders of all levels
from children to elite riders to get involved.
The event was a unique opportunity to link
the community with some of the fastest men
and women on the planet.
“We have so many speedy cyclists who
live, work and play in Waipa and the greater
Waikato region, and the idea was to bring
them and the community (especially the kids)
together in one celebration of cycling – and
get the town (again, especially little ones)
fizzing about riding their bikes,” says one of
the event organisers, Sarah Ulmer.
Put together by just four volunteers,
the quartet of enthusiastic women pulled
off this massive event with huge support
from Cambridge and other Waikato-based
businesses, making it a true community
project.
Hundreds of children aged from under
five to intermediate school age took part in
obstacle courses on the Village Green before
whipping around Cambridge’s main streets on
the circuit that the Elite riders then raced on.
And race they did. The line-up included
former and current World Champions, World
medallists in both men’s/women’s fields –
even some overseas entrants from the Masters
Games.
Weaved into the programme was a
one-lap running race – the Dash for Cash.
Guys versus girls with Katherine Camp from
Christchurch taking out top honours in a
phenomenal performance and a Celebrity
Drag race featuring the Mayor, Jim Mylchreest,
Rob Waddell, Joelle King and other local
celebrities.
The night concluded with the Elite Men’s
and Women’s NZ sprint teams drag racing
along the main street - an awesome finish
to a fantastic day for both participants and
spectators.
26 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL MAY 2017