The faces say it all. What-a-Day! Pukekohe Rotary's massive Counties Cycle Classic was a true family event attracting the under 10's to have a go right through to your experienced seriously competitive cyclist.
This year the Counties Cycle Classic was held at the Pukekohe Park Raceway which is an excellent venue and was very popular with the cyclists. An advantage on last year’s inaugural event is this removed the traffic management issues.There were four road races; 97km for experienced cyclists, 52km for intermediate cyclists, 42km for fun cyclists and a 52km time trail for electric bikes. They all did a circuit of the V8 track before going out west on scenic country roads with very little traffic and finished with a circuit of the track. There is ample parking, good toilet facilities, a very good catering kiosk which the cyclist made good use of after the races.
The club wanted the day to be one that all members of the family could take part in. Whilst the road bikes were out we had children 6 – 11 years do one circuit and 12 – 15 years do two circuits of the track and they had a great time. They were given transponders to attach to their bikes and numbers to stick on their helmets. One little three-year-old turned up with a scooter so we let him go around. He finished as fast as he took off. At 2.00pm we had prize giving for the first female and first male of each event, and a large amount of spot prizes. Included in the spot prizes were two bike bags valued at $800 for transporting bikes on planes and a small Webber barbecue valued at $400. Our local MP Andrew Bayly presented the prizes.
There was great support from sponsors. A total of 17 organisations and one individual contributed with $32,000 and a further eight provided veges, vouchers, printing service, Pack n Save bags for the participants, bike bags, free advert and article and a Webber barbecue. Ebbett Pukekohe were the head sponsor, and the Franklin Local Board provided $10,000 which is part of the $32,000. Wilcox growers supplied perla potatoes and small bags of carrots which went into each participant pack to give the event a Pukekohe flavour.
There were three very good photographers and a drone to video the starts. Ebbett supplied a lead vehicle for the 97km and 52km races, Agrowquip used a large John Deere tractor for the 42km race and Counties Power provided an electric car for the electric bike race. These lead vehicles had orange flashing lights and drove the first 6km as a safety measure.Funds raised from this event will go mainly to local charities such as riding for the disabled, Pukekohe Community Action a group that does a lot for our community, junior sports groups (there are youths that cannot afford to purchase sports gear and therefore unable to participate) and many other worthy causes in our community.