"This ride could be the start of something big"

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 411, 5 November 1991, Page 7

"This ride could be the start of something big"

It's get on your bikes and ride time this Saturday in the first-ever Avanti Round Ruapehu Ride. As well as being the start of | a big 160 kilometre ride for individuals, the event could be the start of an annual event to match the Around the Mountains Relay organised by the Army.

The race starts from Ohakune at 8 am, heads for Waiouru, up the Desert Road to Rangipo, across SH 47 with Tongariro on one shoulder and Lake Rotoaira on the right side, along past | Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, the Chateau and Ruapehu to National Park, left to Waikune and Erua, through Horopito and back to Ohakune. The first riders home are expected after about four and a half hours. Although it is being used by some top riders as training for bigger and better things, the main 'customer' is the recreational cyclist, said one of the event's organisers, Warwick Funnell. He said they have 13-year olds entered, a 65-year-old (well-known Wanganui sports personality Allan Webby) as well as top New Zealand cyclists. Madonna Harris is using the event as a. training ride for her build up to competitions in Seoul, Korea and for the Olympic Games in Barcelona next year. Madonna Harris is one of the few New Zealanders to have represented New Zealand at both the summer and winter Olympics. As well as cycling she has competed in cross-country ski racing. Also riding will be Cherie Prince, junior representative rider at the Junior World Championships at Colorado, USA; Denise Taylor, New Zealand team member for the World Championships at Stutgart in Germany in 1991; and Shaun Tucker who represented New Zealand as a junior cyclist at the World Championships last year. Most are in it for the fun of the event, including a contingent of 30 riders from the Stratford cycling club . This type of event has become popular in New Zealand with rides around Mt

Taranaki, Lake Taupo and Rotorua. "These type s of events are becoming more and more important in cycling," said Warwick. "The Taupo ride started with 18 riders and now it's about 1800. The Rotorua ride sees about 3000 entrants." He said the rides were an opportunity for cyclists to test themselves against themselves. "Next year they will be back to try to beat their 1991 time - never mind what the other guy did." He and his fellow

organisers said the Club has ample experience in running such events. The club has three members designated as Olympic officials; they have run the New Zealand Nationals on several occasions, and held the Junior World Championships in 1985. As well as seeing money brought into the Waimarino community, the club hopes to raise money from the event to go towards funding of their representative riders. "In the last ten years we've had a rider or an official, or both, from our club racing internationally and travelling overseas. More than ever they have to do it full time and it costs a lot of money."

Local organisations have been used as much as possible for the event. The Raetihi PTA is manning the drink stops, the Rotary Club is marshalling at the turning points, the Ruapehu South Business Association has handled much of the administration and registrations, the Ohakune-Karioi Rugby Club is providing their club rooms for the 'after match' function and assisting with catering and the Ruapehu Ramblers Netball Club have contracted to take on the catering. Out of the $20 entry fee riders will each receive a meal on Saturday night, and supporters will be able to join them for $4 per person. "We want to build this into a fun event over the next two or three years, so a good hooley is vital."