Bike over Annie: 'why not?'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 568, 28 December 1994, Page 12

Bike over Annie: 'why not?'

Throughout the year Nightlife Security in conjunction with Ohakune Health and Fitness Centre have organized several community spirited events, such as the Trionman competition and the Tui tug-of-war. As a last event for the 1994 year 'The 2nd Great Annie Escapade' was arranged, the objective being to cycle from the Taihape side of the Rangatikei Gorge on the Taihape/ Napier Road, into Hastings: The reason: to have fun. The participants: 10 cyclists ranging in age from seven to 42, both men and women; the fit and the not-so-fit, plus a wonderful support crew. The event took place over the weekend of 12-13 December. Everyone gathered in Ohakune bright and early Saturday morning to find the weather that had been very nice all week had turned to drizzle and mist. Eager to get going the group made towards the starting point above the Rangitikei River, arriving to find the first and only puncture of the trip. A start was made and after four hours of some very fast downhills, very slow uphills, and a lunch-break the 'Annie' was sighted. Rising majestically between two peaks this hill was enough to instill dread in the most seasoned of the group.

After a lot of huffing and puffing the crest was reached by all. It must be noted here that the first three up were female and the last two provided the most entertainment by not only walking up but zig-zagging as well. Saturday night was spent camped in the Kaweka Forest. An early start was made on Sunday with the weather taking a turn for the better. If getting on the bikes on Saturday was no problem then Sunday was another matter. Most were a little stiff and sore if not from the biking, then from sleeping on the ground. But a start was made and the pain was soon forgotten with the uphills and downhills that followed. A good pace was set, with the group arriving in Hastings around 1.30pm. In all, the biking had taken around eight-and-a-half hours. Many lessons were learnt in that short time and the feeling of achievement by all was immense. It had made no difference who you were to start with, but by sharing the experience with people from such different backgrounds, each had learnt a little bit more about themselves. The one question that had been asked by many beforehand: "Why do this?" had been answered: "Why not!"