| Methven, Perfect for Race |
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By Mick Jensen - Methven is the perfect venue for the inaugural Girls on Bikes event, says event organiser Pete Halligan. The event is gearing up to be the biggest female-only bike race ever to have been held in New Zealand. The number of entries currently sits around the 600 mark. “We spent three months around the country researching a venue for the race and Methven came out on top. It has the magnificent backdrop of the Southern Alps and is a neat, tidy town,” said Mr Halligan. Other factors making Methven the ideal choice for Mr Halligan was its central location, its facilties, including the Methven Resort, the low-volume of traffic in the area and the go-ahead residents. Mr Halligan praises the Ashburton District Tourism and a number of business operators in Methven for backing the project with so much gusto. Female bike riders from Invercargill to Whakatane have signed up to race. The good number of local riders signed up for the event really showed the community sprit of the district’s women, said Mr Halligan. The event has two courses, one 37km and the other 76km. It will cater for every level of cyclist, from the first timers to elite riders. The anti clockwise loop courses start and finish at the Methven Resort. Accommodation in Methven will be at a premium, if any at all, and retailers and hospitality businesses can expect a bumper weekend. Competitors can expect a “very generous” race pack of goodies, but because “women love surprises”, Mr Halligan did not want to reveal any more. The post event celebrations will begin with the “Girls on Bikes Life Guard Competition” followed by the prize giving and acknowledgement of the place getters. Coast to Coast legend Steve Gurney will be auctioned to a lucky lady as well. Making the Girls on Bikes event an iconic and annual calendar fixture in Methven is very much in Pete Halligan’s future plans. |
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