It was such a success last year, the Light Night Te Awa River Ride is back again but with some subtle changes.
Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust trail manager and Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ulmer says the event ran out of glow sticks for the children so there will be more of them plus there were more walkers than expected so organisers will be watching out for them.
Food trucks and entertainment are a feature of the start from Gas Light Theatre in Cambridge. Photo: Supplied.
“We were victims of our own success,” said Ulmer who estimated there were more than 1300 people who turned up to the Gaslight Theatre in Cambridge on a cold winter’s night to ride, scoot and walk the Te Awa River Ride.
It was so well received, Ngāruawāhia wanted a piece of the action.
Three weeks after the Cambridge event on July 6, Ngāruawāhia will have its inaugural ride from The Point along Lower Waikato Esplanade to Market Street and back.
Bikes must have lights on both rides because there are no street lights on Te Awa.
The number of pedestrians without lights caused minor issues last year so organisers are saying torches and lights are essential for everyone along the 2km route. Photo: Supplied.
“Only parts of the path will be lit up and some will be pitch black. So even if you’re strolling, not rolling, for obvious safety reasons, everyone must bring lights.
“Head torches, torches, lights on phones are all totally acceptable.”
The newly-opened boardwalk/bridge was a popular attraction last year and will be open again for next month’s Light Night Te Awa River Ride. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Several walkers in Cambridge last year were not well lit and walking three or four abreast creating issues for cyclists. There will be reminders to pedestrians to keep left and light up, said Ulmer.
The 2km course from Gaslight Theatre finishes at the boardwalk below the Velodrome. No one has to go up the steep hill, but they can go down the boardwalk bridge which will be lit up.
Volunteer marshalls will position themselves along the route to keep everyone safe plus there will be entertainment at strategic locations and hot chocolate to warm people up.
See: Riding off into the night
See: Celebrating the river ride
Olympic gold medallist and Te Awa River Ride trail manager Sarah Ulmer on the Te Awa River Ride track between the Velodrome and Hooker Road. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The newly-opened boardwalk/bridge was a popular attraction last year and will be open again for next month’s Light Night Te Awa River Ride. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
