The Star: October 11, 2018

More documents

Recommendations

Info

32 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News Thursday October 11 2018 Local News Now The Star Fire rages, homes at risk Bike Expo gets rolling on Saturday CHRISTCHURCH cyclists are a diverse bunch One of the challenges faced by the NZ Bike Expo organisers was how to stage an event for such a diverse community of cyclists. “There isn’t just one style of bike, nor one style of riding,” said event organiser Krissy O’Connor. “While that produces a rich mosaic of choice for cyclists, it means we have to work hard to ensure the weekend offers something for every rider.” The Cycling Action Network is the national organisation behind the NZ Bike Expo. Its desire is to have more people on bikes, more often. In Christchurch, with the expanding network of dedicated cycle routes, this goal can get snagged in the ‘getting to work’ debate with drivers and cyclists often at loggerheads. “The cycling community is so much broader than just commuting to work or school,” Ms O’Connor explained. “Fitness, friendship, journeying, convenience, challenge, or cost-saving are all reasons to hop on a bike any day of the week.” Community groups such as Spokes Canterbury, Go Cycle Christchurch, Frocks on Bikes, Canterbury Mountain Bike Club, Revolve and Southerncross CX support cycling in the city. All are involved with Biketober, Christchurch’s annual cycling festival, and the NZ Bike Expo, which is its cornerstone event. “Having the NZ Bike Expo bring the bike industry and rider community together is important for Christchurch,” said Robert Fleming, Biketober co-ordinator. “Where else can a family testride electric-assist cargo bikes on a car-less runway, an elite rider discuss the latest frames and rims with multiple brands, or a beginner rider compare bike styles to find the right one for their purpose – all in the one place?” This breadth of diversity also extends to the Expo speaker lineup. For instance, Christchurchborn Anton Cooper was the 2015 world under-23 cross-country mountain bike champion, and now races professionally at the front of the world circuit. He will speak from the same platform as Julie Milne, who will share her story of using cycling to stay mobile, countering the effects of childhood strokes. From bike stands and racks to components. From e-bikes and tandems to children’s bikes. From new apparel – there will be changing rooms on site – to prize draws and competitions, the NZ Bike Expo is the place for cycling gear. “We also believe in education and experiences,” said Ms O’Connor. “A bus and big-rig will be open for visitors to sit in, to appreciate what drivers of large vehicles can, QUALITY: The NZ Bike Expo runs over the weekend and is the cornerstone event of the Biketober festival. and cannot, see. And national and overseas cycle tour operators will be on hand to help riders choose just the right ‘bucket list’ adventure.” To ensure visitors get the most from the two-day expo, entry tickets this year are come-and-go. “There is so much to take in,” said Ms O’Connor. “We don’t want people to feel rushed.” •The NZ Bike Expo takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Wigram. •Plenty of bike and car parking will be available, as well as public transport options. •Get your NZ Bike Expo programme at www. nzbikeexpo.nz •Check out the Biketober festival events at www. biketober.nz
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday October 11 2018 33 Cycling fans stage Bike Expo Four people and a dog make up the NZ Bike Expo organising team. After months of planning, they’re now set to bring Christchurch a weekend of ‘everything cycling’, but first let’s find out what spins the team’s individual wheels. Leading the crew is Krissy O’Connor, a sport cyclist with a passion for crosscountry mountain biking and cyclocross. Popular in Europe, cyclocross riders complete multiple short-course laps and must carry their bikes over obstacles or across unrideable terrain. Any rider can try cyclocross at the Expo on Sunday morning, with a give-it-a-go grade before the open competition. A bike trailer is top of Krissy’s cycling wish list, so that she can tow Karli (the Expo dog) behind her e-bike, to reach running trails a little further from home. The concept of sustainable transportation is what drives Kate Bevin. Prior to joining the Expo team, she was finding solutions for a regional council to make it easier for residents to make cycling their primary form of commuting. It’s no surprise that Kate is a fan of the bike racks on Canterbury’s Metro buses, and there will be a bus at the Expo for visitors to experience how easy it is to load their bike. Mike Molony is the team’s self-confessed bike junkie. The ten bikes in his garage cover nearly any ride: full-suspension cross-country, Gary Fisher single speed, cyclocross racing, winter commuting with full mudguards, yet there are still times he borrows his fiancé’s e-bike to get to work. The only gap in Mike’s collection is a road bike, so he will have an eye on the Expo exhibitor specials. That is assuming he has time, as Mike is emcee for Saturday’s ‘Battle of the Garage Mechanic’ – amateur bike mechanics competing in a series of Expo pressure tests. Describing herself as the team’s ‘Jo Average on a bike’, Jo Mackay rides her one bike every day to go where she needs to, and wears regular clothes doing it. After riding so many kilometres on her 15-yearold mountain bike, she’s finding it difficult to replace her trusted steed. “I’m looking forward to trying out some options at Expo,” Jo explained. “I want to see if an upright urban bike is for me, or whether I should stick with the mountain bike frame and just change out some parts with around-town components.” Jo also wants to know more about New Zealand’s cycle trail network, and dreams of taking an overseas riding adventure. With this level of biking passion and experience within the NZ Bike Expo team, it’s no surprise that the programme and exhibitor list caters to both beginner and experienced cyclists, on any type of bike. Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th October, 2018 After months of planning we are now set to bring Christchurch a weekend of ‘everything cycling!’ BIG SPRING SALE up to $500 OFF ALL RIKONDA E-BIKES see us at the expo! explore southland your cycling destination Only a 45 minute drive north from Christchurch is the Hurunui, we’ve got over 50km of biking trails in Hanmer Springs alone. Locate us at the NZ Bike Expo to learn more! Hanmer Trails & Hurunui Trails www.hanmertrails.nz www.hurunuitrails.org.nz 0800 442 663 Commuter Breeze RRP $2499 $200 OFF 300w hub motor 36v 15.6Ah (561wh) battery $ 2,299 Xtreme FS RRP $4499 300w mid motor 48v 13Ah (624wh) battery $500 OFF $ 3,999 iCycle Electric 85 Clarence St, Riccarton | Ph: 03 377 4886 sales@icycleelectric.co.nz | www.icycleelectric.co.nz
Page 1 and 2: Circulation 93,228 Thursday, Octobe
Page 3 and 4: The Star 3 Local News News Now Dalz
Page 5 and 6: The Star Latest Christchurch news a
Page 7 and 8: The Star 7 Local News News Now •
Page 17 and 18: The Star 17 Local News News Now Lat
Page 31: Cancer girl gets Richie’s signatu

The Star: October 11, 2018

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?